The volcano Cumbre Vieja has been devastating the Canary Island of La Palma for almost three months. Eleven weeks of volcanic eruption have so far caused almost 850 million euros in damage.
Santa Cruz de La Palma – There is still no end to the volcanic eruption on the Canary Island of La Palma. It is the first volcanic eruption on the island, which belongs to Spain, in 50 years. At that time the Teneguía had erupted, but this eruption lasted three weeks. The Cumbre Vieja has been erupting for eleven weeks and has caused damage of 842 million euros, according to the local government.
Now a new lava flow feeds from a new crevice, which destroys more houses. Although the affected region was evacuated some time ago, the lava could continue to cause great damage in this area.
La Palma: Many houses destroyed and no end in sight
The damage that the volcano has caused since the eruption on September 19 is approaching the billion euro mark. The lava, which was up to 1,300 degrees Celsius, destroyed almost 2,800 buildings and seriously damaged 100 more, reported the state TV broadcaster RTVE on Sunday (December 5th, 2021).
A large headland of cooled lava has increased the island’s coastal area by 40 hectares. Around 1140 hectares are covered with lava or meter-thick ash. Weeks ago people had to leave their homes, schools, churches, supermarkets as well as numerous roads, power lines, irrigation systems and banana plantations were destroyed.
Volcanic eruption on La Palma claims a human life – tourists are stuck
So far, one person has been killed on the Atlantic island off the west coast of Africa as a result of the outbreak. Many volcano tourists came to see the natural spectacle with their own eyes. In the meantime, however, the outbreak resulted in the airport being closed, leaving many tourists stranded on the island and having to take a ferry to another Canary Island to take their flight home.
Again and again, the Cumbre Vieja appears to be decreasing in activity, only to pour more lava and ash over the island with frequent earthquakes. Volcanologists emphasize that the end of the eruption is still not in sight. (Lukas Zigo / dpa)
Rubriklistenbild: © Miguel Calero via www.imago-images.de
