SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Oct 25 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The modification and reconfiguration of the main cone of the Cumbre Vieja volcano continues with the emission of an “enormous” amount of lava at different points of the cone, especially to the west, occupying the original lava flow. Likewise, the new laundry that emerged last Saturday has been stopped for about 20 hours in the Corazoncillo area, very close to the photovoltaic facilities, and has practically not moved since yesterday.
This was reported at a press conference by the technical director of Pevolca, Miguel Ángel Morcuende, who has indicated that the streams located to the north, which mainly formed the No. 8 stream, still do not have any movement and it is expected that they can take a southwesterly direction. In this sense, the management of Pevolca continues to monitor these flows in case new civil protection measures should be applied.
The director of Pevolca pointed out that at the moment there are a series of lava channels that are contributing most of the flow to the area of streams 1, which formed the lava delta, and 4, located above the Todoque Mountain. He explained that these lava canals -fundamentally two- open and appear on the surface or bifurcate into several small lava tubes, causing there to continue to be a contribution on the lower island located in the Los Guirres area, where there is also a growth of the lava delta such as consequence of this contribution of lava.
Miguel Ángel Morcuende has specified that a greater amount of lava does not necessarily cause a lava spill, especially since the emitting center through which it is flowing is pointing to the west, which makes it continue to move above previous lava flows. He added that since the beginning of the eruption there have been ten emission centers, of which there are about five active, and some have been opening and closing throughout the eruption.
The director of the National Geographic Institute (IGN) in the Canary Islands and spokesperson for the Scientific Committee, María José Blanco, added that the problem with the high rate of lava emission right now is that it can deteriorate the cone at the top, but insisted on that the emission center is now in the optimal position so as not to cause further damage.
As for wash 7, it still does not reach the sea and continues without lavage input. In addition, since lavage number 1 is receiving a significant amount of lava due to the last deformation of the cone, damage is occurring to houses that had been isolated on islands and that had managed to preserve themselves from the fire, especially in the Alcalá area.
INCREASE OF THE TREMOR SIGNAL.
Regarding seismicity, María José Blanco pointed out that during yesterday there were notable amplitudes in the tremor signal, the highest for a month, accompanied by great seismicity, mainly in the intermediate zone.
The technical director of Pevolca added that the “great” lava outflow that is taking place at the moment has caused the relocation of all the material that is in depth, giving rise to a lot of seismicity in the intermediate zone, between 10 and 15 km .
In this regard, he pointed out that yesterday there was a very important peak of earthquakes around 4.30 p.m., when there was also an earthquake of magnitude 4.0 felt with an intensity IV and with an epicenter 10 km deep.
María José Blanco warned that earthquakes that can reach intensity VI are still likely to occur, so she insisted that citizens read the recommendations on what to do in the event of tremors with these intensities.
INFRASTRUCTURES AFFECTED.
According to the latest data from the Cadastre regarding the number of buildings destroyed, it is estimated that the eruptive process has affected a total of 1,287 buildings, of which 1,036 are for residential use; 133 for agricultural use; 64 for industrial use; 30 leisure and hospitality; 11 for public use, and 14 for other uses.
The number of people housed in hotel centers is currently 453. Of these, 63 are in a hotel center in Los Llanos de Aridane and 390 are staying in a hotel in Fuencaliente. All are being cared for by the Red Cross, in coordination with the municipal social services.
In addition, around 1:00 p.m. the entrance to the road to Puerto Naos was reopened, which had to be closed after a landslide occurred in the vicinity of El Charco yesterday.
