Due to the volcanic eruption on La Palma, a so-called lava delta is formed in the sea. Impressive photos show the fascinating natural phenomenon.
La Palma – The volcano erupted in the Cumbre Vieja mountain range on the Canary Island seven weeks ago, and there is no end in sight. In addition to the general state of emergency, the hardened lava that has formed on the coast has also caused a stir. Images of the so-called lava delta show the fascinating extent of the natural phenomenon.
The approximately 1000 degrees hot lava, which has been pouring inexhaustibly into the sea, which is only 20 degrees warm since the volcanic eruption on La Palma, hardens as soon as it reaches the surface. As a result, the volcanic island had grown by several hectares at the beginning of October, as reported by the German press agency. Video recordings show how the gigantic increase in the island extends in all directions into the Atlantic. At the points where it flows into the water, clouds of gas rise incessantly.
La Palma: Researchers film lava delta after volcanic eruption
A river that flows into a lake or a sea is actually referred to as an estuary delta. The main stream forks in an approximately triangular shape. The lava delta on La Palma therefore gets its name, although so far there are no recordings that show the natural phenomenon from a bird’s eye view.
The first recordings of the hardened magma on the coast of La Palma, which give an impression of the power of the lava delta, came from the Andalusian Institute for Marine Sciences. Using a drone controlled from a boat, they flew 20 meters above the surface of the water to determine the dimensions of the lava delta that was created by the eruption of the volcano.
Volcanic eruption: New beaches are formed in the lava delta on La Palma
The lava delta on the coast of La Palma extends over 500 meters and has swallowed a lot of Los Guirres beach. However, new beaches are already forming on the coast of the volcanic structure, as can be seen on video recordings from the Spanish Institute for Natural Products and Agrobiology, which were published in early November. (vbu)
Nasa also published pictures after the volcanic eruption on La Palma: The satellite images illustrate the extent of the force of nature.
