Volcanic eruption in La Palma island. 6º

Cumbre Vieja volcano.

What's happening?

On September, the 19th (Sunday), at 3:12 p.m, a volcano started in La Palma island (Cannary archipielagus), in a region called "Cumbre Vieja". After 15 days, it is still spitting ash, lava and toxic gas. 

Why?

Canary island volcano.

Cannary Islands are volcanic: they have been formed with lava, rising up from the bottom of the ocean. So, volcanoes are not an extrange thing there. In fact, every island in Cannary archipielagus has got volcanoes: Teide, Teneguía, Shield volcano of Lanzarote...

Is it dangerous for population?

A volcano can kill in some differet ways: 

Lava flow.

• Lava: it is a flow of molten rock, usually above 1.000º degrees. It usually spreads at 5 km per hour (the pace of a human being); although it can be slower.
• Earthquakes: when the magma is rising up from the mantle, it makes the land tremble. These trembling can destroy houses and buildings, killing people.
• Tsunamis: the volcano can produce landslides; and if these landsildes reach the sea, they create a giant wave.
• Toxic gas: volcanoes release very venomous gases to the atmosphere: sulfur dioxide and Clorhidric acid are two of the most deadly ones. Breathing them can kill you.

  

  Pyroclastic flow.

• Pyroclastic flow: perhaps the most deadly way in which volcanoes kill. A pyroclastic flow is a giant cloud of hot ash (over 300 degrees). It springs suddenly from the volcano, running down from the cone to lower areas. It is very fast: about 100 km per hour. If the cloud catches you... You are in trouble. 

Cumbre vieja volcano has got lava and Toxic gas. The lava flows quiet, and it is not a danger for people. The gas is toxic; but authorities have set a security area in order to avoid intoxications.

When will it stop?

It is difficult to say, because geologists don't now the exact amount of magma under the volcano. They reckon about 70 more days of eruption; but they aren't quite sure.

Banana fields destroyed by lava.

What has being destroyed?

Many things: banana crops, about one thousand houses, more than 30 km of roads, watering pipes... A complete disaster.

What about the people which have lost everything?

In a natural disaster human beings cannot do anything; only to help people who has lost everything. In this way, Spanish Government will destinate 210 million € to palliate the disaster. This money will reach directly people victim of the eruption.