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ARCHIVED - Earthquakes and possible volcanic eruption in La Palma
The Canary Island has experienced 700 seismic movements in a week
The island of La Palma in Tenerife is under alert for seismic activity following a report by the National Geographic Institute (IGN) that more than 100 movements have been registered since Tuesday September 14, bringing the total to more than 700 since last Saturday. An earthquake measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale was recorded in recent days, coinciding with an increased level of volcanic activity. Sooner or later, this phenomenon will almost certainly result in an eruption, according to Luca D'Auria, director of the volcanic surveillance area of the Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias (Involcan).
The seismic activity actually began last week in La Palma, but the most intense shudder was felt on Tuesday. The anomaly is caused by the fact that La Palma, like all of the Canary Islands, is a volcanic island and is home to the Teneguía volcano, which last erupted back in 1971. It has remained quiet for more than 40 years, but in 2017 localised seismic and volcanic activity began to be observed.
According to the experts, a zone of magma exists some 15 kilometres below the island’s crust, but in recent days it has somehow found a way up and has reached 10 kilometres. Here, it has begun to accumulate, trying to find a way to the surface, which is why an eruption of some kind appears inevitable.
For this reason, seismic activity has been felt especially in the Cumbre Vieja de La Palma, 22 kilometres from Teneguía and at a depth of about 9 kilometres
Far from wanting to create a state of panic among holidaymakers and locals, Sr D’Auria has cautioned that the process could actually occur within the volcano itself and burn out before an eruption, but even if the explosion did occur, it would most likely not result in any immediate danger.
"We want to convey a message of tranquillity", the scientist stressed. “All the Canary Islands have experienced many historical eruptions and they are still here.”
He added that the earthquakes are likely to continue for some time and could increase in intensity, even causing damage in some areas, but that a loss of life is not anticipated.
Image: IGN
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