SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, December 20 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The network of permanent GNSS stations (National Geodetic Network of Reference Stations) of La Palma shows that the deformation and elevation registered in station LP03, which is the closest to the eruptive centers of the volcano, has already begun its reversion and is under study.
The national responsible for volcanic surveillance of the National Geographic Institute (IGN) and spokesperson for the Pevolca Scientific Committee, Carmen López, indicated at a press conference that this local deformation registered at the Jedey station began yesterday morning and, after reaching the a maximum of 8 cm around 10 pm, has started its reversal, which continues today.
Carmen López explained that this deformation must be interpreted within the rest of the observation parameters and clarified that, once the eruption ends, both seismicity and residual deformations can continue to be recorded, as already occurred in the case of the El Hierro volcano eruption. , where there were episodes of deformation and seismicity that lasted for months and even years.
In any case, Carmen López pointed out that the observables, both direct on the surface and from the surveillance systems, continue to corroborate the signs of exhaustion of the eruptive process, although a new rebound in strombolian activity and the emission of streams cannot be ruled out.
The spokeswoman for the Pevolca Scientific Committee added that in order to say that the eruptive process that began on September 19 is complete, the recorded and observable data must be kept at current levels for 5 days.
The visible emission of volcanic gases is punctual and sporadic, concentrating in the area of the eruptive centers and in the jameos of the volcanic tubes. In some jameos, incandescence is still visible, linked to the presence of lava in the cooling process.
RESIDUAL SEISMICITY.
The tremor is at the level of the background noise. The seismicity, which is of low magnitude (less than 2.5 mbLg), is at very low levels at all depths. Despite the current level of seismicity, the occurrence of felt earthquakes is not ruled out.
In this regard, Carmen López commented that it cannot be ruled out that there may be a residual seismicity lasting a few months, as happened in El Hierro, since we are facing “very intense” processes that need a “very broad” adjustment process.
The emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2) remained very low yesterday, which means values below 0.5 kg per second. Carmen López recalled that this emission level is not related to the rise of magma, but rather to a process of solidification of the superficial magma existing in the conduits of the eruptive center.
In the case of the diffuse emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), associated with the 220 km2 of the Cumbre Vieja volcanic system, it continues to reflect an emission higher than the average value of the background levels (B) and yesterday this diffuse emission was 8.5 times the average of the background levels (8.5 x B).
In some specific areas of Cumbre Vieja, these diffuse CO2 emanations can represent a danger to people as long as high values of diffuse CO2 flux are registered in areas that are not very well ventilated and / or at heights below one meter from the ground.
During yesterday the air quality due to sulfur dioxide (SO2), a pollutant associated with the eruptive process, continued at good levels in all air quality stations. For the sixth consecutive day there are no exceedances of the hourly or daily limit values at any station. In the early morning and tomorrow of today good levels of air quality are maintained in all stations, except in the San Antonio station, where regular levels have been reached.
With regard to particles smaller than 10 microns (PM10), yesterday there was a slight general increase in the concentrations of all the stations, with a small peak of greater intensity at the El Pilar station at 4:00 p.m., but they remain at good or reasonably good levels in all of them. Yesterday the daily limit value was not exceeded in any of the stations.
On the other hand, about housed in hotels, there are 551 people, five less than yesterday. Of the total, 387 are staying in Fuencaliente, 71 in Los Llanos de Aridane and the remaining 93 in Breña Baja, managed by the Red Cross and municipal services. In addition, there are 43 dependent people cared for in insular health centers.
