An erupting volcano on a Spanish island off northwest Africa opened two new ‘mouths’ in its cone from which lava flowed and authorities reported that activity in the area was ‘intense’.
The new fissures, separated by about 15 meters (50 feet), launched red rivers of melted stone into the sea, paralleling an earlier flow that reached the Atlantic Ocean days ago.
The volcano was “much more aggressive”, almost two weeks after erupting on the island of La Palma, said Miguel Ángel Morcuende, technical director of the department of response to volcanic emergencies in the Canary Islands.
???? The tragic moment that has been lived this morning at the La Palma volcano
Three scientists from @involcan have been surprised by a strong explosion with a shower of pyroclasts
– Today for today (@HoyPorHoy) October 1, 2021
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During the night, eight earthquakes of magnitude 3.5 were recorded.
The eruption spews gases and ash up to 6,000 meters (almost 20,000 feet) high, authorities said.
No casualties have been reported, thanks to the immediate evacuation of more than 6,000 people since the eruption began on September 19.
An area of solidified lava where molten rock falls into the sea covered more than 20 hectares (50 acres).
The authorities monitored the air quality. Carbon dioxide levels rose in the area, but not enough to threaten health, the local government said.
However, he recommended that people stay indoors and wear eye protection in addition to masks due to the intense volcanic ash fall.
The volcano has so far emitted about 80 million cubic meters of molten rock, scientists estimate, more than double that of the 1971 eruption.
