12 Nov

Posted at 10:30h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The two lava flows feeding the lava delta, flows 1 and 2, have now combined both in the sea forming a single large lava delta, and also on land too close to the cliffs. Other than these flows, flow number 9 which is further south of the current lava delta and is on the 1949 lava delta, is also active. Due to the lava-water interactions, turbulent currents have been detected up to 1 km from the lava front. Whilst these currents can be damaging to marine life, the chemical parameters of the ocean are not thought to be significantly affected at this distance from the front of the lava delta.

11 Nov

Posted at 10:05h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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Today, a cluster of 11 earthquakes at 9-14 km were recorded in the south of La Palma close to the Cumbre Vieja ridge, starting at 3:18 am local time. The largest event so far was a mbLg 1.5 earthquake and 11 km depth. This new seismic swarm is the first that has been detected since earthquake swarms in June and January 2021, which were largely clustered in similar areas but at depths deeper than 20 km. The swarm represents the 9th seismic swarm in southern La Palma since anomalous seismic activity began in the area in October 2017, which is thought to be related to magmatic reactivation of Cumbre Vieja. The shallow depth of these latest earthquakes, as well as the consistent locations with other swarms, are the most significant features, although the timescales nor the potential occurrence of any magmatic reactivation cannot be determined in the short-medium term.

10 Nov

Posted at 09:43h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The size of the lava delta is increasing with the arrival of flow number 2 at the coast yesterday, which has increased the total area affected by lava flows by more than 10 hectares, with the total area affected now standing at 998 hectares. The fronts of the other lava flows remain stable however, as they have for the last couple of days. Outside of the affected areas, in order to secure the electricity supply to the surrounding towns, PEVOLCA have announced two sites for new backup electricity generation plants. The number of earthquakes increased again to 118, being recorded mostly at intermediate (10-15 km) depths with some deeper (35-40 km depth) events too, with the day’s largest earthquake being a mbLg 4.8 event at 34 km depth. The proportion of deeper earthquakes increased throughout the day.

09 Nov

Posted at 09:28h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The lava flow immediately south of the current lava delta, flow number 2, has advanced and reached the coast at Playa de Los Guirres. The front of the lava flow is cascading down the cliffs onto the beach below, although this lava is yet to make contact with the sea. The rest of the active lava flows however show minimal progress. The eruptive activity continues to be a mixed strombolian mechanism with more explosive strombolian vents within the main cone, a lava emission vent on the NW flank of the main cone, and occasional phreatomagmatic pulses. The number of earthquakes increased again to 99, being recorded mostly at intermediate (10-15 km) depths with some deeper (35-40 km depth) events too, with the day’s largest earthquake being a mbLg 3.8 event at 38 km depth. This is still lower than the earthquake strength and frequency at points in the previous week.

08 Nov

Posted at 09:05h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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In terms of lava flows, the eruption continues to be stable, with no new ground being affected by the current active flows, which occupy existing tubes and channels in the centre of the flow field. Flow number 11 to the south of the flow field, which was close to overflowing the LP-2 road used for accessing Puerto Naos, has stopped advancing for now. The most active flow currently is flow 1, which is the original flow feeding the lava delta. The affected area hasn’t changed much, at 984 hectares and up to 3,100m wide. According to the land registry, 1,452 buildings have been impacted, including 1,177 for residential use. The number of earthquakes increased to 75, being recorded mostly at intermediate (10-15 km) depths, with the day’s largest earthquake being a mbLg 3.7 event at 14 km depth. Since last week, this still reflects a decrease in earthquake strength and frequency.

07 Nov

Posted at 08:47h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The lava flows generated by the increase in activity on the 6th continue to advance south of the effusive focus to the west, although currently they largely flow over past flows in the centre of the lava flow field, with only occasional overflows of the existing lava tubes and channels. New updates have been published about the damage from the flows, including the destruction of 56 km of roads and 284 hectares of agricultural land including 159 hectares of banana plantations. Seismicity continues to decrease relative to the last week, with 54 earthquakes being recorded mostly at intermediate (10-15 km) depths, with the day’s largest earthquake being a mbLg 4.6 event at 37 km depth. Favourable meteorological conditions for air quality and the operation of the airport continue.

06 Nov

Posted at 08:32h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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There has been minimal evolution in the last few days with regards to the visible eruptive activity and the progress of the lava flows. The furthest south flow, number 11, is almost inactive, although an increased contribution of lava was seen affecting flow number 3 slightly further north, causing some small overflows of the channel. Additionally, a generally increase of lava emission rate was observed at around 6pm local time. Elsewhere, the appearance of yellow-green sulphur deposits on the main cone has been noted, which have formed because of favourable cooling conditions that produce these deposits.

05 Nov

Posted at 08:13h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The eruption continues to show variable strombolian activity, with multiple more explosive vents in the main cone, and a more effusive lava emission vent on the NW flanks of the main cone. The lava flows continue to flow across existing flows in the centre and south of the lava flow field, with minimal new land being affected at this time. Nonetheless, work continues on a second access road to Puerto Naos for large tonnage vehicles in the event the LP-211 road is cut off by lava flows in the south. Seismicity continues to decrease relative to the last week, with 37 earthquakes being recorded mostly at intermediate (10-15 km) depths, with the day’s largest earthquake being a mbLg 3.8 event at 35 km depth. Favourable meteorological conditions for air quality and the operation of the airport continue.

04 Nov

Posted at 12:51h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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Many active lava flows persist to the south of the lava flow field with a variable contribution from the main cone, although almost all of the flows are contained within previous lava channels or tubes, with only small local overflows of lava. The extent of the lava flows has only grown by 2 hectares since yesterday, and now totals 983 hectares.

03 Nov

Posted at 12:06h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The eruption continues to show a mixed strombolian mechanism, with explosive phases producing pyroclastics deposits and more effusive phases producing lava flows, as well as pulses of phreatomagmatic activity. There are multiple active strombolian vents in the main cone, with a lava emission vent being located on the NW flank of the main cone, with the activity of the latter being variable.