The air quality in La Palma has worsened again, according to the technical director of the Canary Islands Volcanic Emergency Plan (Pevolca), Miguel Ángel Morcuende, who considers this to be “the most remarkable thing”. This phenomenon is concentrated in the Aridane Valley area, which has led to the suspension of teaching activity this Tuesday in five municipalities on the island and the cancellation of four flights at La Palma airport. “We have had significant levels of gases in the south of the evacuated area, that stopped the entry of personnel in the Charco area so it was not possible to go to clean roofs and water,” he explained.
The La Palma volcano “loses energy”, admit the scientists who study it day after day. “But it will not end in the short term,” said the spokeswoman for the Pevolca scientific committee, María José Blanco, on Tuesday. And this despite the fact that the volcanologist of the National Geographic Institute (IGN) has explained that there is a “decrease in all parameters”, especially seismicity, soil deformation and the emission of sulfur dioxide (SO₂). This data, key to knowing the strength of the eruption, has risen in recent hours to a range of between 3,000 and 3,500 tons, a sharp drop compared to the between 12,000 and 15,000 tons the day before. This trend, however, is “slow” and they need to continue decreasing to “reach lower levels”.
Especially since one of the variables studied, the tremor, has experienced a slight rebound in the last day. This is the sound mark left by the magma in its ascent. If it increases it is because there is more quantity or it rises with more force. “We will continue to monitor this over the days,” Morcuende assured.
In addition, there has been an increase in the seismicity registered as of noon this Monday, especially in the deep, although the values remain low at intermediate levels compared to previous days. An earthquake of greater intensity has been registered at one in the morning, 38 kilometers deep, with a magnitude of 3.8. It was not felt by the population.
Meanwhile, the lava has already covered a total of 1,042.1 hectares, affecting or destroying 2,623 buildings and constructions so far, according to satellite data from the European Copernicus program. The data from the Cadastre, more precise since they rule out constructions such as tool rooms or swimming pools, lower the figure to 1,472 damaged buildings. Of these, 1,181 are for residential use.
The extent of the lava flow has increased by 17.7 hectares during the last 36 hours. The castings, fundamentally, have spread in intermediate points between the already existing languages, filling in the gaps. In addition, there has been an increase in the affected land in the southern part. Also in the area of the lava delta, whose surface has grown by just over one hectare to 41.99 from the coastline, according to data provided by the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain.
Land ceded
The president of the Cabildo de La Palma, Mariano Zapata, has recognized this Tuesday that “60 days are too many to be away from home”, more for those who have lost them under the lava and urge a solution, but he has ensured that all administrations work “At maximum speed.”
In this sense, the Los Llanos de Aridane City Council confirmed this Tuesday the transfer of land to the Government of the Canary Islands for the construction of houses for the victims. It consists of two lots, one that has 12,000 square meters, located in the El Jable area, where up to 78 temporary homes can be installed, and another of 1,200 square meters, located in La Montaña, and where it could be built. a block of 22 houses.
#worsening #air #quality #Palma #forces #cancellation #flights #facetoface #classes