SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Nov. 8 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cumbre Vieja volcano, on the island of La Palma, continues to register a decrease in the different parameters associated with this phenomenon (sulfur dioxide rate, deformation, seismicity, etc.), but scientists continue to warn that it is still too early to to be able to talk about the end of the eruption.
The national director of Volcanic Surveillance of the National Geographic Institute (IGN) and spokesperson for the Pevolca Scientific Committee, Carmen López, recalled that just a few days ago there was an episode of inflation in the station closest to the eruptive center (LP03), where it was recorded a vertical deformation of 9 cm.
Carmen López stressed that episodes like this reflect that the eruptive dynamics is still “intense”, so we must be “cautious” and wait to see if these trends [descendentes] they are “sufficient in time” and if they really are confirmed day by day to be able to anticipate the end of the volcanic eruption.
He insisted on being cautious because within a few days a new episode of this dynamic mechanism could occur, such as the one experienced recently or an earthquake of a magnitude greater than those that are being registered. “Therefore, we are not yet in time to say that these trends are permanent,” he stressed.
Francisco Prieto, support technician of the Pevolca Directorate, stressed that the main problem that has occurred in recent days has been with PM10 particles, especially in the Los Llanos area, where ‘extremely unfavorable’ levels were reached yesterday, Hence, it has been decided to maintain the suspension of face-to-face classes in the municipalities of El Paso, Los Llanos, Tijarafe and Puntagorda.
He stressed that there has also been an increase in sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels this morning, which has forced the Pevolca management to issue a statement as the situation of the quality of the air in the municipal term of Puntagorda.
On the other hand, the number of people housed in hotel centers remains at 467. Of these, 400 are staying at the Fuencaliente hotel and 67 in Los Llanos de Aridane. In addition, there are 43 dependent people treated in insular health centers and there is no one in the Fort.
The area affected by the eruption has slightly increased by 1.41 hectares and is estimated to affect a total of 984.85 hectares. The maximum width between the end points of the castings is maintained at 3,100 meters. The buildings destroyed or damaged, according to the data provided by the Cadastre, are estimated at 1,452 buildings, of which 1,177 are for residential use, 147 for agriculture, 67 for industrial use, 33 for leisure and hospitality, 13 for public use and 15 for other uses.
Regarding lava flows, they continue to pass through the central sector and go west over previous flows without invading a new surface. Almost all the flow is going to the original run and a little to run 5. The rest of the runs remain stable.
The height of the ash scattering cloud today reaches 2,500 meters and is heading towards the southwest. In relation to the meteorological forecasts, on the surface the northeast wind will continue to blow with strong gusts that can reach 60-70 km / h, mainly in areas of the summit and midlands.
FAVORABLE SCENARIO FOR AIRPORTS.
The sulfur dioxide (SO2) plume is disposed to the west-southwest and is expected to continue in its current position. This provision represents a favorable scenario for aeronautical operations and no significant changes in meteorological conditions are expected in the coming days.
Seismicity remains low compared to previous weeks and earthquakes continue to be located in the same areas, at depths between 10 and 15 km and at depths greater than 20 km. The maximum magnitude was that of an earthquake of 4.6 that occurred yesterday at 17:07 hours at a depth of 37 km, which was felt with a maximum intensity of IV. The tremor in the last 24 hours has remained at low levels.
The station closest to the eruptive center continues to show deformations that reflect the dynamics of the eruptive process and the rest of the stations show a trend towards regional deflation.
As for the SO2 emissions associated with the volcanic plume, during yesterday they continued to be high, registering a value that ranges between 16,600 and 23,100 tons per day; the temporal evolution reflects a downward trend measured by satellite methods since last September 23. The temporal evolution of the chemical composition of the volcanic plume also reflects a downward trend in the carbon-sulfur ratio, indicating that the magmatic contribution has a more superficial origin. In the case of the diffuse emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) associated with the volcanic building of Cumbre Vieja, it reflects an upward trend since last October 22.
In relation to air quality, levels are between ‘reasonably good’ and ‘fair’ at the Puntagorda station, with average levels exceeding the daily limit. Also in Puntagorda, this exceedance has exceeded the hourly alert threshold between 06:00 and 10:00 and the values currently remain above this threshold.
PM10 particles are ‘extremely unfavorable’ in Los Llanos and the 24-hour moving average is at ‘extremely unfavorable’ levels, reflecting the daily incidence of eruptive dynamics and winds. In the rest of the stations, the air quality levels are ‘good’ or ‘reasonably good’.
