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The La Palma Eruption and Reconstruction Project

As a Geoscience education company, with a special interest in responsible science communication, based in the Canary Islands, we were in a unique position to document the 2021 Volcán de Tajogaite eruption in La Palma. We wanted to ensure our resources could be put to good use during the volcanic emergency and beyond to benefit the residents and tourists alike. The La Palma project by GeoTenerife is a multi-media project which aims to increase the awareness and understanding of volcanic activity, volcanic emergency plans, and reconstruction in La Palma. Our self-funded research on La Palma has led to our award-winning documentaries “Lava Bombs: Truths Behind the Volcano” and “Lava Bombs 2: The Reconstruction” is due for release in 2024. Our work is open access, in non-specialist language, and resident-focused.

Most recent

La Palma Reconstruction – July 2025

Cabildo demands Spanish Govt make reconstruction commitments - New aid for neighborhood associations and renewable energy systems - Demand for transparency over agricultural aid - New website to monitor the reconstruction progress - grants for new homes for those affected - container homes being re-used in Puerto Naos - Tender for 120 new homes - Puerto Naos school reopening - Volcano law nearing approval in Canarian Parliament

Volcán de Tajogaite (2021) Eruption and Reconstruction

GeoTenerife aims to tell the unheard human stories of the people affected by the 2021 eruption of the Volcán de Tajogaite, La Palma.  Through our collaboration with Alexander Whittle of New Light Studio, GeoTenerife has produced two documentaries LAVA BOMBS: Truths Behind the Volcano and LAVA BOMBS 2: The Reconstruction. 

The 2021 Tajogaite eruption was the largest and most destructive eruption in La Palma for the last 500 years. It caused around €1 billion in damage, displacing over 7,000 people, and destroying 3,000 buildings, 2,000 of which were people’s homes. Here are some of VolcanoStories helpful summary videos:

A collection of interviews with witnesses of the 2021 La Palma Eruption, conducted by GeoTenerife. These interviews were later used in the Lava Bombs: The Truth Behind the Volcano documentary.

To help put the science in context and counter sensationalism GeoTenerife was involved in social media live streams and news interviews with local, national and international media outlets during the volcanic eruption of La Palma. Here are the playlists which document our work.

Charities to support affected residents

Here are the charity campaigns we have supported/run for the affected residents of the La Palma eruption

Forum Navigation

Is an eruption imminent?

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Is an eruption imminent? Is that why they had a press conference?

~ Resident concern, 24th January 2025

 

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PEVOLCA (Canary Islands Volcanic Emergency Plan) scientists issued a press release yesterday about changes in activity at Teide, although there are currently no signs of eruption. What does it mean for you?

Tenerife is a volcanic island so will have eruptions in the future. Volcano science is unable to tell us when this will happen, although certain monitoring signals may tell scientists an eruption may be more or less likely in a loose timeframe.

The press release states that from 2016 and then 2022, scientists have seen changes in the seismic (earthquakes), geodetic (ground movement) and geochemical (types and amount of gas) monitoring signals.

What's caused this change? What does it show?

Scientists think there has been an increase of pressure in the hydrothermal system beneath Tenerife. This does not seem to be precursory to eruptive activity in the short term, although it requires extra monitoring.

It may imply an eruption in the medium-long term could be more likely than before. However, the scientists do not have the tools or data to make specific statements about the probabilities and timeframe of this.

So, what is the message to the population?

The scientists ask for 'calm and prudence' of the population.

There are currently no signs of an eruption in the short-term, but the changes in these monitoring may wax (get stronger) or wane (get weaker/reverse) multiple times before the next eruptive cycle on Tenerife.

What can the population do?

1. Follow any updates from official authorities: #PEVOLCA, @IGNSpain, @112canarias , @CabildoTenerife, @gobcanarias

2. Know how to prepare: https://geotenerife.com/volcanostories/the-volcanic-readiness-project/

3. See the volcano emergency plan:
https://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/infovolcanlapalma/pevolca/

4. Understand the Volcanic Alert Level Traffic Light system:
https://volcanesdecanarias.org/semaforo-verde/

5. Find out more about Tenerife's volcanoes here: https://www.ign.es/web/ign/portal/vlc-area-volcanologia

And here: https://volcanesdecanarias.org/

~ GeoTenerife Team

Here you can find our glossary of Volcanic terms, complete with examples and explanations specific to the 2021 eruption on La Palma. You can download the glossary here in pdf or doc

ERRORS AND OMMISSIONS: VolcanoStories represents our best endeavour to reflect the eruption of Volcán de Tajogaite accurately, but we fully accept it may contain errors and omissions for which we apologise in advance and ask for your HELP. We encourage individuals or institutions who see an ERROR or who would like to CONTRIBUTE further material to help in this endeavour please contact us.

VolcanoStories content is freely available for students, educational establishments and academics – all we ask is that you cite “GeoTenerife’s VolcanoStories”. 

However, the content is not to be used for commercial use. Any media or commercial outlet wanting to use any content herein should contact us in writing in the first instance via enquiries@geotenerife.com.

For more detail, refer to our Terms of Use.