MADRID (Reuters) – Authorities on the Spanish island of La Palma on Wednesday lifted lockdown on three coastal cities as poisonous fumes from the lava flowing into the ocean partly dissipated, however the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano confirmed no indicators of abating.
The red-hot molten rock continued to gush alongside the western flanks of the volcano, which has been erupting since Sept. 19, and the tempo of each day earth tremors is but to decelerate.
La Palma airport remained closed for the reason that weekend, and pictures launched by airport operator Aena confirmed workers shovelling tonnes of black ash from the runway.
“If the eruption depth does not diminish, it’s more than likely to maintain affecting La Palma airport,” stated Carmen Lopez, who heads the Nationwide Geographic Institute’s geophysical monitoring programme.
Native authorities on Monday pressured residents of three coastal cities to remain indoors as a 3rd tongue of lava hit the ocean sending thick clouds of vapour and smoke excessive into the sky.
The cloud is much less dense now, stated Miguel Angel Morcuende, technical director of the Canary Islands Volcanic Emergency Plan.
“Nevertheless, we suggest that individuals dwelling close to the place the lava move reaches the ocean to put on the FFP2 masks and keep protected to forestall any drawback,” he advised reporters.
The lava solidifying because it crashes into the water has expanded the island’s floor by some 46 hectares, in line with the authorities.
It has engulfed 1,073 hectares of land up to now, in line with the EU satellite tv for pc monitoring system Copernicus. The eruption has broken or destroyed practically 2,700 buildings, forcing the evacuation of hundreds from their properties on the island.
(Reporting by Inti Landauro and Emma Pinedo, enhancing by Andrei Khalip and Mike Collett-White)
