The emission of a considerable volume of ash coming from Cumbre Vieja volcano is maintained this Tuesday, the same as the previous three days, and has covered the entire west and northeast sector of the island of The Palm, a phenomenon that has been accompanied by short episodes of audible explosions that could be caused by intense degassing.
This was reported at a press conference by the national director of Volcanic Surveillance of the National Geographic Institute (IGN) and spokesperson for the Pevolca Scientific Committee, Carmen López, who also indicated that in the last hours the high rate of lava emission from the emitter focus of the northwest flank of the main cone continues, and in the area of casting 11 there has been a slight advance of the lava flow that moves towards the west, approaching the LP-211 highway.
The height of the cone and the scattering cloud today reaches 3,700 meters. In relation to the disposal of ash and sulfur dioxide (SO2), it is in an east-southeast direction, and this supposes an unfavorable scenario for the next 36 hours for the operation of La Palma Airport, as well as for the airspace between La Palma, La Gomera and the west of Tenerife.
The emission of sulfur dioxide registered a higher value than yesterday. This does not mean that the downward trend recorded the previous seven days is reversed, according to Pevolca.
Also, tomorrow Wednesday there is a probability of light rains in the northwest of La Palma, which may be locally moderated on Thursday.
The Ash levels in El Paso, Los Llanos de Aridane, Tazacorte, Tijarafe and Puntagorda remain high after the degassing processes of the last days.
In relation to seismicity, it continues to be located in the same areas and at the same depths, between 10 and 15 kilometers and greater than 20 kilometers. The maximum magnitude in the last 24 hours has been a 4.6 mbLg earthquake that occurred yesterday at 8:24 pm and 36 km deep, which has been felt with maximum intensity IV and which has also been slightly felt in La Gomera and Tenerife.
As for the deformations, the same scenario continues in the stations near the eruptive center, where stability is recorded, and in the higher stations a slight regional deflation continues.
Yesterday the emission of sulfur dioxide associated with the volcanic plume registered a value of 22,000 tons per day, with the use of remote sensors in mobile maritime disposal, and in the case of the diffuse emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) associated At the Cumbre Vieja ridge, an upward trend has been observed since October 22 and the last measurement gives a value of 1,520 tons per day.
Air quality is good in most of the island. In the municipalities closest to the eruption, it is recommended to use a FFP2 mask and reduce exposure to open spaces, especially if you have a weak immune system.
“Extremely unfavorable”
Air quality due to sulfur dioxide was at ‘very unfavorable’ and ‘extremely unfavorable’ levels at the Puntagorda station between 00.00 and 05.00 hours. Subsequently, these values fell significantly from 08.00 hours, remaining at ‘good’ or ‘reasonably good’ values for the rest of the day. In the rest of the stations the levels are also ‘good’ and ‘reasonably good’.
PM10 particles remain at ‘good’ levels at the air quality stations on the east side of the island, and at the Los Llanos station there is an ‘unfavorable’ quality index that is still maintained. Yesterday the daily threshold at this station was exceeded and today’s records continue to be high, reflecting the incidence of ash fall from the volcano, which is highly influenced by the eruptive dynamics and daily winds.
On the other hand, the 462 evacuated people are staying in tourist centers. Of these, 395 are in a hotel in Fuencaliente and 67 in a hotel in Los Llanos de Aridane.
