The eruption in La Palma is raised to level 3 magnitude due to emissions

The Scientific Committee Pevolca has reassessed the magnitude of the eruption of the volcano in La Palma, raising it from a value of two, on the scale of 0 to 8, to a value of three. However, this change is not due to an increase in activity nor does it imply greater explosiveness or any variation in the strombolian mechanism of the natural phenomenon.

At a press conference, IGN volcanologist, Carmen López, explained that the magnitude is established on a scale from zero to eight and is calculated from the volume of pyroclastic material emitted, not any change in activity or threat.

"Given that more than 10 million cubic metres of pyroclastic material have now been emitted," she said, "the evaluation of the eruption goes up from value 2 to value 3, and it does not imply that the eruptive mechanism has changed, which is still a strombolian effusive fissure".

Likewise, she stressed that there is no change in the explosiveness of the eruption, which remains with the same characteristics as during the entire process.

Lava feeds stream 4 and swamps more agricultural land:
Pevolca have confirmed that a small runoff of lava has covered approximately 3 hectares of agricultural land previously untouched by the lava, as reported by Rubén Fernández, the PEVOLCA Technical Director, who explained that a flow following stream 4 has overflowed.

He also updated that the area affected by lava is now 1,051 hectares and the lava delta on the coast remains at about 43 hectares. Regarding air quality, Fernández pointed out that the values ​​related to sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ash particles of less than 10 microns (PM10) in the Aridane Valley area, have remained good or reasonably good since yesterday, and they continue to monitor them daily.

This, together with the evolution of the lava flows and the state of the accesses, can allow the entry of residents assisted by emergency personnel to the exclusion zone. However, they insist that this must be done in an organized manner and in compliance with self-protection measures, with the use of FFP2 masks throughout the affected area and protective glasses, especially, when cleaning houses and roofs to prevent ash going in your eyes.

Regarding the meteorological conditions, Fernández said that the south and west winds represent an unfavourable scenario for flights to or from La Palma, which is why they were cancelled yesterday and this morning.