Spectacular lava fountains at Cumbre Vieja volcano, La Palma, Canary Islands

Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma island, Canary Islands finally erupted on September 19, 2021, after 8 days of intense seismicity. This is the first eruption at the volcano since 1971.

Seismicity further increased during the UTC morning on September 19, leading to the first fissure opening at 14:12 UTC and the second at 15:33 UTC.¹

The eruption produced spectacular lava fountains overnight while lava flows destroyed several homes and crossed the Tacande highway.

As the lava flows begun to descend down the slope, the Civil Guard announced that up to 10 000 people will be evacuated from municipalities of El Paso, Los Llanos de Aridane, Fuencaliente, and Tazacorte.

References:

¹ Eruption begins at Cumbre Vieja volcano, the first since 1971 — La Palma, Canary Islands – The Watchers

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