SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Nov 11 (EUROPA PRESS) –
Scientists who follow the evolution of the La Palma volcano eruption have observed in the last 24 hours that seismicity at depths greater than 20 kilometers has increased both in number and magnitude. In fact, the number of locations during this period at these depths has been the highest since the beginning of the eruption.
This was reported at a press conference by the director of the National Geographic Institute (IGN) in the Canary Islands and spokesperson for the Pevolca Scientific Committee, María José Blanco, who also highlighted the emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2) associated with the volcanic plume registered during yesterday, which continues to be high, reaching a range of values between 13,000 and 15,000 tons per day through the use of remote optical sensors in a maritime mobile position.
María José Blanco indicated that the current level of seismicity continues to indicate that it is possible that more felt earthquakes will occur in the coming days or weeks, reaching intensities of V or VI on the EMS scale, as happened last morning, at 0337 hours, when an earthquake of magnitude 5.0 mbLG occurred at a depth of 36 km and was felt with a maximum intensity IV-V.
The spokesperson for the Scientific Committee pointed out that establishing a relationship between the increase in seismicity and a rebound in the eruption “is neither easy nor obvious”, since “there is no model that allows a direct link to be established.” He added that on other occasions it has been observed that after increases in seismicity there is an increase in the emission rate or in surface observables, but “it is not a direct link because there is no model that allows us to establish it.”
On the other hand, they reported that in the Los Guirres beach area the expansion of the second lava delta (called D2) continues, mainly in a perpendicular direction to the coastline, overlapping with the first delta or fajana, called D1. Likewise, the height of the eruptive column measured today at 8:45 am is 2,500 meters and the height of the cone has remained at 1,131 meters for days.
ACCOMPANIMENT TO THE POPULATION.
Francisco Prieto, representative of the Pevolca Technical Committee, reported that the accompaniment of the population to the evacuated areas continues, although lately there has been a progressive reduction in the demand for collection of belongings, remaining for companies and farmers. There have also been no notable incidents in the field of electricity supply and telephony.
The number of people housed in hotel centers today stands at 468, one more than yesterday. Of the total, 401 are staying at the Fuencaliente hotel and 67 in Los Llanos de Aridane. In addition, there are 43 dependent people cared for in insular health centers.
The area affected by lava is now 1,005 hectares, which is 7.5 more than yesterday, and the maximum width between external flows remains at 3,100 meters.
With regard to damage to infrastructures, data from the Cadastre of November 9 indicate that there are 1,456 buildings affected, of which 1,179 are for residential use, 149 for agricultural use, 67 for industrial use, 13 for public use and 15 of other uses. The total area of affected crops amounts to 290.45 hectares, of which 164.38 are banana, 59.84 vineyards and 25 avocados.
The total of affected roads amounts to 64,897 kilometers, of which 9,573 are island roads and 55,324, municipal roads
PROBABILITY OF PRECIPITATIONS.
In terms of weather forecasting, the prevalence of the eastern component continues from the surface up to 5,000 meters with gusts that can reach 50 km / h. For this reason, it is expected that the ash cloud and sulfur dioxide will continue to be disposed in a west-southwest direction, being a favorable scenario for aeronautical operations.
The probability of weak rainfall for this Friday and Saturday will mainly affect the north and east slopes of La Palma, as well as areas of the interior of the west slope. The numerical prediction models show that at the beginning of next week a low pressure system could affect the Archipelago, but there is high uncertainty both in the intensity of the rains that it could generate, as well as in the location of the system.
The deformation, like yesterday the station closest to the eruptive center (LP03) continues to show deformations that reflect the dynamics of the eruptive process in progress and in the rest of the stations a general trend towards general deflation is shown.
In relation to the SO2 emission associated with the volcanic plume recorded yesterday, it continues to be high, registering a range of values between 13,000 and 15,000 tons per day through the use of remote optical sensors in a maritime mobile position. The analysis of satellite images reflects a downward trend since September 23, when the maximums were recorded, which reached values above 50,000 tons of SO2 per day.
The diffuse emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) associated with the entire Cumbre Vieja building continues to register values above the background values, between 200 and 1,300 tons per day, and yesterday reflected a range of values between 1,800 and 1,900 tons per day. These diffuse emanations do not represent a danger to the population. At the Los Llanos station, a slight magmatic-hydrothermal fraction continues to be recorded in the carbon dioxide in the soil atmosphere, which is zero at the Fuencaliente station.
GOOD OR REASONABLY GOOD LEVELS.
In relation to air quality, regarding SO2, yesterday good or reasonably good levels were registered in all the stations of the La Palma network, except in Puntagorda, where regular levels were maintained that at the end of the day produced a daily exceedance at this station. During this morning, the values are maintaining at good or reasonably good levels except in Puntagorda, with regular air quality.
Regarding PM10 particles, yesterday values similar to those registered in previous days in Los Llanos were maintained, with maximums between 11.00 and 14.00 and an air quality index oscillating between regular and unfavorable. The dynamics of previous days is repeated, producing an increase in the values from the early hours of the morning and later decreasing throughout the afternoon and at night, but with maximum levels associated with periods of greater wind intensity. In the rest of the stations, air quality levels remained at good or reasonably good levels.
Yesterday the daily limit value was not exceeded in any station and during this morning there is a slight increase in the observed values but of low intensity, with good or reasonably good values in all the stations, except in Los Llanos. where they are kept as regular.
With this air quality and as a precautionary measure, in the area of Los Llanos, El Paso, Tazacorte, Tijarafe and Puntagorda, for risk groups and sensitive populations, it is advisable to reduce vigorous or prolonged activities outdoors; For the general population, outdoor activities can be carried out in a normal way, but it is advisable to monitor the appearance of symptoms such as cough, throat irritation, shortness of breath, excessive fatigue or palpitations, and it is recommended to consult the website of the Government of the Canary Islands of air quality.
