The Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma, a Spanish island, came to life after 50 years of dormancy on 19 September. Ash filled the sky, and molten rock cooking at 1,075C oozed from several new crevices and cascaded down the volcano’s haunches in the form of Hadean rivers, pushing through houses and farms. Thousands of island inhabitants evacuated ahead of time, with no casualties reported due to the impeccable operation carried out by local scientists and emergency services. The tremor measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale happened during the early hours in La Palma and La Gomera. The Spanish Geographic Institute registered 42 quakes within 24 hours of the initial tremor, 12 of them measuring over three points on the Richter Scale. Out of the 83,000 inhabitants on the island, 7,000 people have evacuated their homes in La Palma. Then lava flows have covered 941 hectares of land, agricultural land and have destroyed over 2,100 buildings. Although, the recent new rivers have not forced the evacuation of any more residents, those staying within the exclusion zone that authorities have created said to be safe. Government authorities predict that the greatest of the lava flows measures 1.5 km at its broadest point. The delta of new landforms where lava flows into the Atlantic has also reached a surface of 84 acres. The scientific committee advising the government said that if the delta grows outwards into the sea, parts of it could break off. That would end up generating explosions, gas emissions, and large waves, but it would not represent a danger to those outside the no-go zone. Though no damage to life has occurred, the primary hazard to La Palma is the relentless flow of lava. It has already damaged and destroyed hundreds of homes in the island’s southwestern region and continues to do so as it inches closer to the coast. The ash is also a problem: it’s difficult to breathe in, especially if you have a respiratory issue, and it obstructs visibility, burns out electric circuits, kills automobile engines, pollutes streams, and suffocates crops. The density of volcanic ash poses a more subtle threat: the weight of accumulated ash on rooftops can lead them to collapse. Along with health and displacement concerns, the loss of livelihood and abandonment of prized possessions is irreparable damage. People had just enough time to carry essential documents and belongings as the life-threatening stream pounded down the volcano. Tourism has certainly shot up in La Palma. As the island gains international attention, tourists pour in to witness the spewing flames. A favorable future for the inhabitants as the Spanish Government extends its help. One eagerly waits for the day the volcano shall revert back to its dormancy.
10 Jan 2022
Somalika Chhabra
