![]() ![]() Unfortunately, the official website of the National Geographic Institute (IGN) is difficult to access to review latest data, most likely from traffic overload. During the known history of mankind, no such event is known to have been witnessed. Globally, major island-slope failure events that can trigger catastrophic-size tsunamis probably occur only once every 10,000 years or more. It is estimated that major landslide events at La Palma occur every 100,000 years or more, and there is no evidence that the island's edifice is gravitationally unstable at present. About 560,000 years ago, it had lost a large portion of its southwestern flank during an event referred to by geologists as the Cumbre Nueva landslide, one of the largest known of its kind. Nearly all volcanic ocean islands suffer massive collapse events from time to time, and La Palma is no exception. While this certainly is a potential scenario, it should also be said that it is the very worst case, and thus least likely scenario: by all known geological evidence, the current chance of a giant landslide from La Palma is still extremely slim, even should La Palma erupt in the near future. Is there a threat of a mega-tsunami from La Palma? Unfortunately, some media outlets are picking up on the potential threat of a "mega-tsunami" that could be caused by an eruption on La Palma and devastate the US east coast. Altogether, the likelihood of a new volcanic eruption continues to increase. Another worrying trend is the general tendency of quakes getting shallower. The increase in seismic activity is likely a sign that magma continues to intrude and push its way into deeper rock layers, thus causing the quakes. SO far, 5 quakes during the past 24 hours were recorded with magnitudes of 3 or more. ![]() ![]() The largest so-far quake was a magnitude 3.8 quake at 11:16 local time at 10 km depth, initially reported even as magnitude 4, but later revised. During the past 24 hours, earthquakes have continued to pick up both in numbers and strength. The seismo-volcanic crisis is intensifying. On Sunday, the Canary Islands' volcanology institute, Involcan, said the explosive activity in the vents of the volcano had intensified, while several medium-range earthquakes were recorded by the country's geographic institute, IGN.ĭespite the eruption's spectacular images and its damage to property, no casualties have been reported, mainly due to speedy evacuations.Earthquakes during the past 24 hours (map) and 7 days (depth vs time graph) under La Palma Island The announcement of increased aid comes on top of the €10.5 million for building houses and basic necessities approved by the government last week. “But citizens should know that when it does end, the government of Spain will be there to help with the enormous task of rebuilding La Palma and offer a horizon of prosperity.” “We are facing a test of resistance, because we don't know when the volcano's eruption will end," Sánchez said. The funds also aim to create jobs and cut taxes for La Palma residents. The government has declared the island a disaster area.Īccording to Sanchez, the extra money will rebuild crucial infrastructure for the island´s economy, mainly irrigation networks for the important banana export industry and other agricultural crops, as well as roads that serve the hiking trails and beaches that attract tourists. The island of La Palma in the Canary Islands is at risk of undergoing a large landslide, which could cause a tsunami in the Atlantic Ocean.Volcanic islands and volcanoes on land frequently undergo large landslides/collapses, which have been documented in Hawaii for example. Sanchez was briefing journalists after visiting the affected area of the Canary Islands for the third time. On Sunday the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledged another €200 million to help the island recover from the damage. Experts estimate the debris has already covered an area bigger than 25 football pitches. The island of 85,000 people lies in Spain's Canary Islands archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa.Įmergency personnel are continually monitoring air quality in residential areas affected. Lava flowing from vents has destroyed over 900 buildings and displaced about 6,000 people so far, and new vents opened just days ago. Health is of increasing concern as there has been little let-up of discharge from the Cumbre Vieja volcano since it started erupting. “It’s not over yet, we don’t even know how long there is to go,” the Canary Islands’ regional president Ángel Víctor Torres told public broadcaster RTVE. Spain’s National Geographical Institute said it recorded two quakes early on Monday that measured more than 3.0 magnitude. Officials said they didn’t expect to evacuate any more people from the area, because the molten rock was following the same route to the sea as earlier flows. LA PALMA - Earthquakes rattled La Palma in Spain's Canary Islands on Monday, as lava continued to flow from vents in the volcano that has been erupting since Sept. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |