Will plants grow back in areas now covered with lava after the La Palma volcano eruption? This is the hope of many, especially those who have not only lost their home but also their way of life if we take into account the banana farms that have been devastated. Therefore, it seems that it is the volcanic land that could save the situation and prevent the area now covered in lava from becoming the so-called “badlands”.
How to make the lava become fertile volcanic soil and thus avoid the “badlands”?
The “bad country” refers to any barren and barren area or terrain that has been completely useless because the lava that has covered it has been fragmented into blocks. A situation that we want to avoid in the area of La Palma, which has been affected (and continues to be so) after the eruption of the volcano in Cumbre Vieja more than a week ago.
The situation is serious but there is a halo of hope in the form of volcanic earth that is fertile because it has humidity . However, it is also important to remove all the material that has come out of the volcano and to know how to deposit the volcanic earth in the right places.
For the moment the situation remains dangerous. Yesterday it seemed that the volcano was receding after being several hours without emitting lava, but again it resumed activity and the rivers of lava continue to descend slowly with a view to reaching the sea. But once everything is finished and the ground is cold, the recovery process could be accelerated so that the area becomes fertile again and is filled with plants.
To do this, all the rocks and rubble that the volcano has “spit out” these days must be removed. Hard work that will nevertheless reveal something beneficial: a volcanic soil that could be covered with fertile soil so that despite everything, it is conducive to plants growing again. In addition, in said soil there are also stones that maintain humidity and that is something very beneficial.
The question then arises of how to access the machinery to carry out this work and also what will be done with the rocks that are going to be removed. It also remains to be seen if, on the other hand, it is decided to make these lands covered by lava a protected area and Natural Park. If this is not the case, there could be a possibility that the land will be replanted again.
And the ashy grounds?
In this case, the work is simpler, although the ash itself already acts as fertilizer , although for this only a thin layer and not meters of ash is necessary. On the other hand, the doubts are the same as with volcanic rock. In other words, knowing what to do with the excess ash and whether the area is declared protected or not.
What about pyroclastic soils?
Those areas that have been covered with pyroclasts, small stones such as gravel that have been expelled from the volcano, can see how the vegetation grows again, so that they could be an option to re-cultivate in addition to acting as a protective layer. fine “gravel”.
