Spain: Disruptions are ongoing, early Oct. 4, due to eruptions and lava flows at Cumbre Vieja Volcano /update 10

Event

Volcanic activity has increased, and the north flank of the Cumbre Vieja Volcano in La Palma, Canary Islands, has collapsed, resulting in faster rates of flow of lava early Oct. 4. Earthquake activity remains high, with most earthquakes located under southern La Palma at a depth of 10-15 km (6-9 miles).

The lava reached the sea at Playa de Los Guirres, near the town of Tazacorte, late Sept. 28, causing steam and gas emissions. As of early Oct. 4, authorities have evacuated all residents within a 2 km (1.2 miles) radius of the area and ordered the residents from San Borondon, Marina Alta, Marina Baja, and La Condesa in the coastal areas of the municipality of Tazacorte to confine themselves in their homes due to the risk of exposure to the resulting gases and acid. Maritime authorities maintain an exclusion zone for coastal areas within a two-nautical mile (3.7 km/2.3 miles) radius near Todoque and the area from La Bulb to 0.3 km (0.2 miles) south of the port of Tazacorte. The lava has covered around 397.5 hectares (982 acres) of land and destroyed at least 30.7 km (19 miles) of roads on the LP-2, LP-212, LP-211, LP-213, and LP-2132, as well as 946 structures; 128 structures are damaged. Disruptions are ongoing on the roads in southern La Palma due to lava. Ashfall may reduce visibility and cause hazardous driving conditions.

The lava has disrupted the water supply in parts of El Paso and Los Llanos de Aridane municipalities as it crossed the streams that feed the water pipes. Authorities will install two portable desalination plants in the Puerto Naos area and import a tanker with 30,000 cubic meters (1,059,440 cubic feet) of water from the Spanish mainland. There has been no disruption in electricity or telecommunications.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for around 5,600 people in the municipalities of El Paso, Fuencaliente, Los Llanos de Aridane, Tazacorte, and Villa de Mazo. Cumbre Vieja maintains at least eight active emission vents, including the major Teneguia vent and several new vents. Authorities have imposed a 2.5 km (1.5 miles) exclusion zone around the active portion of the volcano and have advised residents to avoid lava flows.

As of early Oct. 4, La Palma Airport (SPC) is operational, and most flights have resumed. Volcanic ash may further affect operations at SPC, prompting additional flight disruptions. SPC is the only international airport serving the island.

Additional eruptions could cause low-level seismic activity, ash clouds, and landslides and prompt further evacuations in the surrounding area over the coming days.

Advice

Plan for possible transport disruptions if operating near Teneguia. Avoid areas near the volcano. In the event of a large eruption, use facemasks and observe other precautions to avoid ash inhalation. Monitor local media and liaise with local officials for updates. Confirm flights to and from SPC if volcanic activity intensifies.

Resources

Instituto Volcanologico de Canarias, INVOLCAN (Spanish)
Gobierno de Canarias (Spanish)