Madrid: There is no sign that a volcanic eruption on the Spanish island of La Palma is coming to an end, four weeks after it began, officials said on Sunday.
The volcano on one of the Canary Islands off north-west Africa has so far destroyed more than 1800 buildings, mostly homes, though prompt evacuations have helped avoid casualties on the island of some 85,000 people.
The volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma shows no signs of settling.Credit:AP
Canary Islands President Ángel Víctor Torres said scientists monitoring the eruption that began September 19 have seen no indications that the eruption is abating, as rivers of lava continue flowing slowly toward the sea.
“We are at the mercy of the volcano,” Torres told reporters.
“There are no signs that an end of the eruption is imminent even though this is the greatest desire of everyone.“
Some 7000 people have had to leave their homes.
Work is under way to try and clear ash from houses buried on the island.Credit:AP
The volcano has produced a constant rumble and roar, with dozens of minor earthquakes most days. On Sunday alone there were 42 seismic movements reported, the largest measuring 4.3, according to the Spanish National Geographical Institute.
Ash has settled across the island and the ash plume is several kilometres high. Airlines have sporadically cancelled flights to the islands, including 56 flights over Saturday and Sunday, due to the ash.
Almost half – 22 out of 38 – of all flights to the island were cancelled on Sunday, state airport operator Aena said, but the airport remained open.
The latest satellite imagery showed the molten rock has covered 754 hectares, most of it countryside and farm land. Almost 60 kilometres of roads have also been ruined.
The island lives mainly from tourism and banana plantations. The government has pledged millions of euros to help rebuild damaged infrastructure.
AP, Reuters
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