Rain forecast for La Palma: Officials fear torrents of water running down the volcano over the water-resistant lava and flash flooding already impacted cities and residents

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la palma eruption update
Susana Vera

A rain forecast for La Palma has triggered concerns about torrents of water that could form over the water-resistant lava.

In Tazacorte, one of the hardest-hit municipalities, there is a 95% chance of rain on Saturday, according to the national weather service Aemet.

Officials from the Canaries Volcano Risk Prevention Plan (Pevolca) have advised residents to clean the ash off their rooftops to prevent it from mixing with the rain and creating a heavy buildup that could damage structures.

The most active lava channels (bright yellow and orange) can be clearly distinguished from the piles of colder and darker lava flows that have been piling up, overlapping and merging to form this destructive lava field.

Here a few key points about the eruption as of October 22, 2021:

  • Volcanic activity enters 33rd day on Friday, having begun on 19 September
  • Rain forecast for Saturday carries a further risk to residents and buildings
  • More than 600 tremors were registered in La Palma in the last week with strongest earthquake registered on Tuesday night, 4.8 magnitude. 35,000 earthquakes and tremors recorded in La Palma during the past month
  • Lava flow now covers surface area of 886 hectares according to Copernicus radar imaging, with 2,185 buildings destroyed
  • Cumbre Vieja eruption the “most significant since 1585”
  • No short or medium end to eruption
  • More La Palma residents forced to evacuate
  • Delta has claimed around 40 hectares of new land in the Atlantic

The DNS report also notes that lava streams in the northwest have now merged and appear to be taking a southwest direction.

A second lava flow is about to enter the ocean, raising concerns about toxic clouds and other lockdowns. The first lava stream hit the Atlantic Ocean two weeks ago and has since formed new land covering more than 40 hectares on the La Palma coastline.

volcano eruption la palma october 22 2021
Infographic showing how the volcano in the island has progressed and the current vents.

Here are some pictures showing the damage that has been suffered on the ocean’s floor: Seabed and marine life covered in volcanic ash:

Yes, the seabed is just covered by big blocks of lava or ash

A team from the Canaries Volcanology Institute (Involcan) has shared a video with close-up images of an eruptive vent in the volcano, noting that this is the first time that volcanologists have reached the site.

These scientists are taking samples of red-hot lava from the Cumbre Vieja volcano. Impressive!

Most of the seismic activity of the last few weeks has been taking place in the area of Fuencaliente and Villa de Mazo, in southern La Palma. María José Blanco, the scientific spokeswoman for Pevolca, said on Thursday that fewer tremors are taking place, but noted that their magnitude remains high.

According to the lastest figures collected by Copernicus EMS, the lava is now covering 886.1 hectares, with 2,185 buildings destroyed, an increase of 229 in 48 hours. The volcanic ash is covering over 6,800 hectares (16803 acres).

La Palma update for October 22, 2021
La Palma update for October 22, 2021

Since the beginning of the eruption, more than 7,500 people have been evacuated.

The tsunami is near! Be ready!

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8 Comments

  1. Martial law is coming and FEMA camps for unvaccinated.. .. Israel will attack Iran due to sensitive we can not and will not display or exact date.
    We have to protect our soldiers USA and Israelis and ..! I predicted everything before it happens! Islam make every nations to 1400 years back and we do not need these kind of crap! Democracy , and love and respect but when it comes to USA, accept Islam we tell it all no censorship.

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