Scientists remain cautious as La Palma volcanic activity drops
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, Dec 14 (EFE).- The eruption of a volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma fell quiet on Tuesday after nearly three months of activity, though scientists remain cautious.
The cone of the Cumbre Vieja volcano is no longer spewing lava and the last seismic activity was recorded Monday evening, according to the Canary Island Volcanic Institute, Involcan.
“This is the longest tremor-free interval since the eruption began,” Involcan said in a tweet, but warned “this does not imply a termination of the eruption, as its cessation has sometimes been followed by a further increase in activity.”
“The impression can be one and reality another,” Miguel Angel Morcuende, spokesman for the technical committee of the Canary Islands Volcanic Emergency Plan (Pevolca) told reporters.
The attitude of the scientific committee of Pevolca is “of prudence.”
“In principle, it is going reasonably well, but nothing more,” he added.
Since erupting on September 19, the Cumbre Vieja volcano has destroyed over 3,000 buildings on the island.
Some 551 people are unable to return to their homes on the island and remain in temporary accommodation.
The lava flow has covered 1,195 hectares across the island, the equivalent of 1,673 soccer fields. EFE
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