Experts warn la Palma lava flow could change course

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, Oct 13 (EFE).- The lava flow from a volcanic eruption on Spain’s La Palma, in the Canary Islands, is changing its course as a result of the collapse of the northern flank of the volcano’s cone, the latest report from the Department of Homeland Security (DSN) warned Wednesday.

So far there are three streams: one that emerged after a partial collapse of the cone’s northern flank on Saturday and that forced the preventive evacuation of 700 or 800 people on Tuesday, and another two rivers of red-hot magma flowing further south.

The original lava stream has virtually dried up, but the second one is posing a threat to new constructions within the security perimeter.

On Tuesday, air quality improved and 3,500 people who had been confined to their homes on Monday were able to go outdoors again, the DSN report added.

Airports on the other Canary Islands remain operational, but airlines are canceling operations to La Palma.

A 3.5 kilometer-high plume of ash, currently located on the western side of the island, is moving west before shifting east and south, the report continued.

Around 20 tremors were recorded on the Canary Island of La Palma where a volcanic eruption has been underway for over three weeks, The National Geographic Institute (IGN) said Wednesday.

The largest was around 39 kilometers underground and a 3.9 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale in the municipality of Mazo.

So far, 16 tremors were recorded in the municipality of Fuencaliente and the rest in Mazo.

Volcanic tremors have increased which could indicate the gushing magma could have a higher gas content, the DSN warned. EFE