The volcano’s activities have been accompanied by thousands of earthquakes since last week. On Sunday morning, geologists recorded the strongest of them so far, with an intensity of 4.2 degrees. According to experts, the number and strength of shocks may increase in the coming days. The quake could be so severe that it will damage buildings, geologists warned.
About a thousand people are to be ready for evacuation around the volcano. According to the mayor of the nearby village of El Paso, the evacuation of about a hundred people who were directly threatened by the eruption or have problems with movement has already begun. Soldiers help them with their departure. The aviation authorities have recommended restricting flights over the island of La Palma. So far, the eruption has affected mainly the forest and sparsely populated areas.
According to experts, a large amount of lava accumulated under the volcano, which caused its renewed activity. The last time the volcano was active was in 1971. At that time, a man died who came too close to the eruption site for photography. Volcano geologists consider it one of the most active in the Canary Islands.
Possible restrictions on air traffic
According to Aleš Špičák, a seismologist from the Geophysical Institute of the Academy of Sciences, the Cumbre Vieja volcano might not be too dangerous according to historical observations. According to his observations, the eruption is not strong yet. “However, this does not mean that it cannot be large, it is not possible to underestimate anything, magma can also reach inhabited areas,” Špičák assumes.
According to him, there is also a risk of restrictions on air traffic. “The situation can be well monitored and information transmitted to the airport,” advises Špičák. None of the surrounding volcanoes in the Canary Islands expects an eruption in the near future.
The volcanic island of La Palma has about 85,000 inhabitants and is not as popular with tourists as the other islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote or Tenerife.
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