SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Oct 1 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The La Palma volcano continues to maintain the same intensity as in previous days and two new lava emission centers appeared last morning, about 15 meters apart and located about 600 meters from the base of the main cone in a northwesterly direction.
The technical director of Pevolca, Miguel Ángel Morcuende, has informed in a press conference that from 02:30 hours these two mouths are emitting effusive lavas that advance towards the west, taking advantage of a favorable topography, seeking the union towards the trace of the original wash.
Miguel Ángel Morcuende explained that, at the beginning, this new casting moves about 450 meters apart from the original casting, but looking for the unit downstream. At around 10 a.m., it passed the LP-212 highway and continues to evolve towards lower levels, parallel to that main stream.
The technical director of Pevolca pointed out that scientists are already monitoring and watching over this new runoff and are close to having a mathematical model of the probability of its follow-up, which will be reported when more data becomes available.
For her part, the spokeswoman for the Pevolca Scientific Committee, María José Blanco, specified that at the moment three active emission centers are observed inside the main crater and two located in the northwest sector of the side of the cone.
Prior to the meeting of the Pevolca Steering Committee, the Scientific Committee of the Plan met, in which its members presented their conclusions on the evolution of the eruptive phenomenon since yesterday. Such conclusions indicate that the fissure eruption continues with its strombolian mechanism, with simultaneous effusive explosive phases.
The estimated emitted volume until the morning of the 30th, adding cone and streams, is around 80 million cubic meters. Likewise, the height measured today of the ash and gas column reaches 6,000 meters.
The front of the lava delta is at a distance greater than 475 meters from the coastline, reaching a depth of 30 meters. The area covered by the lava delta this morning reached a value of 27.7 hectares. The sea plume continues along the edge of the lava delta, producing clouds of water vapor and other possibly toxic gases that are concentrated in a small area around the point of contact.
The extensive fumarolic field on the north-northwest flank remains active. Scientists warn that the eruptive process can show episodes of increased and decreased strombolian activity, as well as courses due to phreatomagmatic activity. The morphology of the cone changes repeatedly due to the successive processes of growth and reconfiguration.
UNFAVORABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
The expected wind configuration will probably dispose of the cloud of ash and dioxide towards the north-northwest from the center of the eruption, mainly affecting the north slope of La Palma, and it will rotate towards the southwest as of tonight. . With the turn of the cloud from tonight towards the southwest, it is not ruled out that fine ash may reach the island of El Hierro. The high stability in low layers below 500-700 meters, together with the weak winds on the west slope, are unfavorable meteorological conditions from the point of view of air quality.
Regarding geophysical data, seismicity continues to be located close to the seismicity of the first days, September 11-12, at depths between 10 and 15 kilometers. In the last 24 hours, a few dozen earthquakes have been located, the largest of 3.5 of magnitude, felt with intensity III-IV. Some shallow earthquakes continue to be recorded around the eruptive center. Since 0300 hours the tremor level has increased and in some seismic stations near the lava delta high frequency tremor is recorded.
The deformations show that the stations away from the eruptive center a slight downward trend in the vertical component, and the nearby stations show pulses possibly related to the eruptive dynamics.
Regarding the estimation of the SO2 emission rate into the atmosphere, it continues to be high and consistent with the eruptive process, reaching values of 8,700 tons per day. In the volcanic plume, the relationship between carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide reflects that the origin of the gas comes from a deep magmatic system, rich in volatiles, which is consistent with geophysical observables.
Yesterday the highest SO2 values to date were measured, which has meant that the daily thresholds of 125 micrograms / m3 are exceeded in both the Tazacorte and Los Llanos stations. In the first, the daily average was 219 micrograms / m3 and three hourly thresholds of 350 micrograms / m3 were exceeded between 07:00 and 10:00. Since this last maximum, the values have decreased, but always above 100 micrograms / m3. At the Los Llanos station there were two exceedances of the hourly threshold between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., and the daily threshold was exceeded averaging 198 micrograms / m3. Elevated hydrogen sulfide values have not been observed in either of the two stations. With respect to the rest of the island’s stations, punctually high values have been measured at the El Paso stations, but it has not meant that the hourly thresholds were exceeded. At the Las Balsas station, in San Andrés y Sauces; El Pilar and La Grama, in Santa Cruz de La Palma, the values have been low.
Regarding particles smaller than 10 microns, yesterday there was an initial decrease in the concentrations generated compared to previous days, which subsequently increased, causing the daily thresholds to be exceeded at the El Pilar and La Grama stations. Currently, an increase in particle values is observed at the Los Llanos station. The values are still relatively high, so it is still recommended to continue with the precautions indicated so far.
MARINE PENACHO.
The marine plume generated by the encounter of the lava with the sea must be watched. It is suggested to pay close attention to the wind forecast to monitor possible changes in the direction of the plume and act accordingly. Emergency services working within 1 kilometer of the delta must wear goggles and a gas mask. Eye washing is also recommended after any exposure, as symptoms are often not noticed until later.
Marine plumes can be seen up to several kilometers away from the source. If the marine plume were to reach the population centers, it would be beneficial to stay inside the houses, closing doors and windows. Those with compromised respiratory systems should pay close attention to plume forecasts, as they are more vulnerable at low concentrations. To avoid the possible impact of these events on the safety of navigation of scientific vessels that carry out work in the marine exclusion area, it is recommended to maintain a distance of at least 500 meters.
Given the great thicknesses of lava flow observed in some points, their faces can collapse in steeper areas and can lead to the formation of large fragments of lava flows that break off and that can suddenly reach distances of several meters. Small pyroclastic flows can also occur in steep areas.
