SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 15 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Scientists who follow the evolution of the La Palma volcano eruption have detected an increase in the ash emission rate that today, due to wind conditions, will affect the Aridane Valley area, where it has already begun to notice in towns such as Los Llanos and Tazacorte, which is why a worsening of air quality is expected.
The technical director of Pevolca, Miguel Ángel Morcuende, informed at a press conference that on Monday there will be high values of both PM10 particles and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the emergency zone. In fact, during the night high SO2 values were already detected, especially in the southern area of Montaña Cogote, the Las Manchas cemetery and the areas between LP-211, LP-212 and LP-1.
At this time, the air quality values allow the continuation of the classroom activity. However, the levels of gases in the southern area of the casting, within the evacuated area, continue to prevent one more day from the entry of personnel for removal of belongings and ash cleaning.
Regarding the evolution of the flows, the contribution of lava continues in the area of the lava deltas, which now reaches 40.9 hectares, with a new flow that reaches the sea in the area of the Charcón beach. So far, the area destroyed by runoff is 1,019.79 hectares (ha).
The technical director of Pevolca indicated that today a significant contribution of lava is taking place between the pouring fronts 4 and 7. If this energy contribution continues, its advance could occur, closing the intermediate gaps between both. On the other hand, the lava tubes continue to direct the lava towards the west, always through previous flows and in the direction of the sea. There is also an important contribution in stream 9, which causes the delta to increase and the front of said stream widens to the south.
Regarding the number of shelters, a total of 479 people remain in hotel centers, two less than yesterday. Of that number, 412 are staying at the Fuencaliente hotel and 67 at the Los Llanos hotel. In addition, there are 43 dependent people cared for in insular health centers.
The director of the National Geographic Institute (IGN) in the Canary Islands and spokesperson for the Scientific Committee, María José Blanco, reported that the eruptive column measured this morning at 8:45 am is 3,100 meters.
Regarding the meteorological conditions, he pointed out that from the surface level at 5,000 meters the wind has an east component, so the arrangement of the ash cloud and sulfur dioxide (SO2) will be towards the west. Therefore, it is a favorable scenario for the operation of the airports and it is expected to remain that way for the next 36-48 hours.
Likewise, María José Blanco advanced that the thermal inversion is expected to lower its height to 1,600-1,700 meters, which will harm air quality. The probability of rain for tomorrow and Wednesday is low, but there will be light rains that will mainly affect the north and east slopes.
Regarding seismicity, the spokesperson stressed that it continues to be at depths greater than 20 km at the same level and seismicity at intermediate depths remains low compared to previous weeks. In the last 24 hours, the recorded magnitude has been 4.4 mbLg, corresponding to an earthquake that occurred at 03.53 am and located 38 km deep under the central area of Cumbre Vieja. This earthquake has been felt with maximum intensity III (EMS98) in the epicentral zone. The tremor in the last 24 hours remains at low levels. María José Blanco insisted that with this level of seismicity it is still possible for more felt earthquakes to occur, being able to reach intensities V-VI and causing small landslides in sloping areas.
Regarding deformation, the station closest to the eruptive center (PM03) continues to show the dynamics of the eruptive process and since the beginning of November a notable decrease in regional deflation has been observed in the rest of the stations.
The spokesperson for the Pevolca Scientific Committee highlighted that the SO2 emission associated with the volcanic plume measured yesterday continues to be high, reaching values between 12,000 and 15,000 tons per day, and satellite images show a downward trend since last September 23, when the maximum value of 50,000 tons per day was reached.
In the case of the diffuse CO2 emission associated with the Cumbre Vieja building, it continues to register values above the background levels and yesterday they reached between 1,900 and 2,100 tons per day. At the Los Llanos station, a slight magmatic-hydrothermal fraction of CO2 continues to be recorded in the soil atmosphere, while at the Fuencaliente station it is practically nil.
Regarding air quality and sulfur dioxide, he reported that yesterday it was at good or reasonably good levels in all seasons except Puntagorda and Los Llanos, where it was at a lower grade, reasonably good to fair, reducing to good during the afternoon. In the Puntagorda station the daily limit value was exceeded and during the early hours of yesterday to today the values registered have been increasing in Los Llanos to unfavorable levels. In Puntagorda, the values have been increasing during the night, going from good to unfavorable levels, with two exceedances of the hourly limit values at 08:00 and 10:00. In the rest of the stations, the levels are kept at a good air quality level.
Regarding PM10 particles, yesterday there were good levels of air quality in all stations. During the night of yesterday and the morning of today the values have been increasing in Los Llanos, registering very high concentration values at the moment, reaching unfavorable levels. It will be necessary to continue monitoring its evolution during the next few hours. In the rest of the stations the levels remain between good and reasonably good.
Given these levels, in the area of Los Llanos, El Paso, Tazacorte, Tijarafe and Puntagorda, the population should consider reducing vigorous or prolonged outdoor activities and doing them indoors or when air quality improves, and always consulting the website of the Government of the Canary Islands on air quality.
