The La Palma volcano has entered a new phase this Monday night, in which it once again generates strong strombolian-type explosions and has formed a large lava flow from its main cone along the path opened by the previous ones, which is currently located only 250 or 300 metres from the west coast of the island.
Not counting the large amount of lava that has been emitted tonight, this eruption had already exceeded the last one in 1971, with 46.3 million cubic meters of materials in just seven days, while the Teneguía eruption emitted 43 million in 24 days.
The lava moved quickly yesterday (Sunday) through the town of Todoque, flattening buildings in its path, including the church, until it reached the mountain of Los Llanos de Aridane, the last obstacle that remains to overcome before reaching the sea.
Each time there is a flow it stretches further and further as the surface it is crossing is flatter before it starts to cool, gets more viscous, and slows down. According to the latest data from Pevolca, the lava was about 800 or 1,000 meters in a straight line from the coast this afternoon, but this new hotter more fluid flow has overtaken that.
As a precautionary measure, in the event of an eventual emanation of hydrochloric acid due to the reaction of the volcanic material with salty seawater, the confinement of the four neighbourhoods of Tazacorte is maintained, as people are instructed to stay indoors with windows and doors shut.
Earlier today, the Canary Islands director of the IGN, María José Blanco, warned that the temporary cessation of the volcano's activity does not mean that the explosions cannot suddenly return… he was right!
