The erupting volcano on the Canary Islands of La Palma is becoming increasingly dangerous. The lava now comes out again through two more cracks in its cone.
Officials reported “intense” volcanic activity around Cambre Vieja. About 15 meters across, the new cracks sent streaks of fiery red and orange molten rock toward the ocean, paralleling the previous current that reached the Atlantic earlier this week.
Miguel ngel Morcuende, technical director of the Canary Islands’ volcano emergency department, said the volcano is “much more aggressive” than it was to erupt two weeks ago.
Scientists recorded eight new earthquakes of magnitude 3.5 overnight. Officials said the blast threw gas and ash six kilometers into the air.
The evacuation of more than 6,000 people since the September 19 outbreak helped ensure there were no fatalities.
The government of La Palma announced that sulfur dioxide prices in the area had increased, but that it did not pose a health risk. Still, he advised residents to stay indoors. She also recommended that islanders wear face masks and eye protection to protect themselves from the heavy volcanic ash rain.
Scientists estimate that the volcano has so far ejected about 80 million cubic meters of molten rock – more than twice as much as the island erupted in 1971.
The explosion threw ash in the air for six kilometersPhoto: Daniel Roca / AP
The lava has so far destroyed or partially destroyed more than 1,000 buildings, including homes and agricultural infrastructure, and buried about 709 hectares of land.
La Palma, home to about 85,000 people who live mainly from fruit growing and tourism, belongs to the volcanic Canary Islands, an archipelago off northwest Africa that belongs to Spain.
The island is about 35 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide at its widest point. Even though the volcano is still active, life continues as normal on most of the islands.
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