Canary Islands, Cumbre Vieja volcano eruption: lava in the sea for 17 hectares

The explosive activity of the new volcano of the Cumbre Vieja complex, in the south of the island of La Palma in the Canaries, has increased in the last few hours, active since 19 September. This was announced by the National Geographic Institute explaining that eruptions are occurring on the north side of the main mouth, while the administration of La Palma has estimated that the lava has entered the sea forming a tongue about 17.2 hectares long. On the other hand, the roads destroyed by the eruption rise to 27.4 kilometers, according to the latest measurement of Copernicus, the Earth observation program of the European Union. Spanish volcanologists predict that collapses in the main cone of the volcano could occur shortly. Meanwhile, the Governing Council of the Canary Islands has approved a decree law on fiscal, organizational and administrative measures to be adopted to cope with the effects of the volcanic eruption. “It aims to provide an exceptional fiscal response to the volcanic eruption. We are in an extraordinary situation with a significant impact on people’s lives,” explained the Vice President of the Canary Islands Government and Finance Minister, Román Rodríguez. The inhabitants were allowed to temporarily return to their homes to collect their personal effects, also at a distance of 2.5 kilometers from the volcano. Farmers in Puerto Naos, El Remo and Las Hoyas can also visit their farms to provide irrigation, El Pais explains.