SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Dec. 22 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The observables, both direct on the surface and from the surveillance systems, continue to corroborate the signs of exhaustion of the eruptive process of the La Palma volcano, although a new rebound in volcanic activity cannot be ruled out.
The spokeswoman for the Pevolca Scientific Committee, Carmen López, reported at a press conference that in order to say that the eruptive process is complete, the recorded and observable data must be kept at current levels for three more days.
Carmen López indicated that the only significant data is that the local deformation episode that began on December 19 persists, which requires its monitoring, without observing variations in the rest of the data and observables.
The substitute technical director of Pevolca, Francisco Prieto, added that inside the thickest flows, reaching over 40-50 meters in some points, there are still hot areas, although they are cooling down.
Francisco Prieto pointed out that if the parameters continue as they have been up to now, next week the first tests for lava movements will begin to be carried out in some places where the thickness allows it, monitoring both the output of gases and the temperature.
The visible emission of volcanic gases continues to be punctual and sporadic, concentrating in the area of the eruptive centers and in the jameos of the volcanic tubes. Continuous small collapses occur in the walls of the main and secondary cone craters in favor of existing faults and fissures.
The tremor is at the level of the background noise. Seismicity, which is of low magnitude (less than 3.0 mbLg), is at very low levels at all depths. Despite the current level of seismicity, the occurrence of felt earthquakes is not ruled out.
The emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere by the current eruptive process in Cumbre Vieja was low yesterday. The low and very low emission rates are not related to magma rise, but rather to a process of solidification of the superficial magma existing in the conduits of the eruptive center.
During yesterday, the air quality due to sulfur dioxide (SO2), a pollutant associated with the eruptive process, continued at good levels in all stations and there have been no exceedances of the hourly or daily limit values in any station. In the early morning and tomorrow of today good levels of air quality are maintained in all stations.
Regarding particles smaller than 10 microns (PM10), yesterday good levels were maintained in all stations, not exceeding the daily limit value (established at 50 micrograms / m3) in any of them. During the morning of today the good values are maintained in all the stations of the network.
Those housed in hotels remain at 549, two people more than yesterday. Of the total, 386 are staying in Fuencaliente, 70 in Los Llanos de Aridane and 93 in Breña Baja, managed by the Red Cross and municipal services. In addition, 43 dependent people continue to be cared for in insular health centers.
