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Volcanic eruptions intensify on Spain's Canary Islands

September 23, 2021, 1:41 pm

<p><strong>VOLCANIC ERUPTION.</strong> Officials help during an evacuation process as Mount Cumbre Vieja continues to erupt in El Paso, spewing out columns of smoke, ash and lava on the Canary island of La Palma on Sept. 21, 2021. Officials said the volcanic eruption on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma has destroyed around 100 homes, large swathes of agricultural land, roads, and businesses. <em>(Andres Gutierrez - Anadolu Agency)</em></p>

VOLCANIC ERUPTION. Officials help during an evacuation process as Mount Cumbre Vieja continues to erupt in El Paso, spewing out columns of smoke, ash and lava on the Canary island of La Palma on Sept. 21, 2021. Officials said the volcanic eruption on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma has destroyed around 100 homes, large swathes of agricultural land, roads, and businesses. (Andres Gutierrez - Anadolu Agency)

MADRID – Eruptions from a volcanic grew in intensity Wednesday on the island of La Palma that has forced more than 6,000 people to be evacuated on the Canary Islands off southwest Spain.

The Cumbre Vieja on one of the smallest islands in the region has active volcanic geography.

Local government sources said the average height of the lava from the Cumbre Vieja volcano has reached six meters since becoming active Sept. 19 and between 6,000 - 9,000 tons of sulfur dioxide has been emitted daily.

Lava advancing toward the sea has burned 320 houses and property damage in the past four has topped €400 million (USD471 million). A total of 400 hectares of land, including 300 hectares of banana trees, have been lost.

Roads on the island have been closed for a week and education was suspended in four districts because they are located on the route of the lava.

The military emergency response has assisted and is controlling operations with 30 vehicles and 67 personnel.

The Institute for Volcanic Studies of the Canary Islands said eruptions are expected to continue for 24 to 84 days.

Experts said lava advanced an average of 700 meters per day and it might take two weeks to reach the sea. They warned that when it hits the sea it could cause a risk to residents with a chemical reaction that could crease gas and severe eruptions. (Anadolu)

 

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