The Cumbre Vieja volcano, on La Palma, continues to expel lava since last Sunday, September 19, it began to erupt. With a new eruptive mouth that has been opened in the town of Tacande, in El Paso, there are nine holes that are currently expelling the magma from the core of the Earth and this is heading to the sea.
The lava rivers have reached six meters high in some areas and are currently advancing at 300 meters per hour (at the beginning they were going faster, at 700 meters per hour). The lava or magma that reaches the surface emerging from a volcano is composed of rocks and gases present in the earth’s mantle and that the intense heat existing in the Earth’s core has melted. In contact with the sea, lava could react, releasing gases that are dangerous if inhaled.
“When that material of more than 1000 degrees comes into contact with coastal water, there will be a significant emission of toxic gases, such as sulfur. They are toxic if they are inhaled by the population, ” said José Manuel Viñas, Meteored meteorologist, at a press conference.
In addition, the brutal temperature difference between the lava and the sea will cause “explosive phenomena” , strong explosions of the elements that make up lava, such as the rocks that we have discussed previously. That is, they can be thrown many meters away and hit everything in their path with force.
Another thing that can happen when lava and water are found is that toxic gases reach the atmosphere and cause acid rain, with a damaging potential on aquifers, rivers, lakes … For Viñas it is not, today , cause for concern . Yes it is the inhalation of gases.
According to INVOLCAN (Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias), the Cumbre Vieja volcano is emitting between 8,000 and 10,500 tons of sulfur dioxide per day . It is vitally important to stay away from the volcano and stay at home, if possible, with everything closed, doors and windows. If we had to go out, we must try not to inhale those gases. It is recommended to wear a mask and goggles.
At least 166 houses and 103 hectares have been washed away by lava from the volcano. According to the Government of the Canary Islands, 5,600 residents have been evacuated.
