Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Volcano on Spanish Island of La Palma Falls Silent


Mon 27 Sep 2021 | 07:41 PM
Ahmad El-Assasy

After an eight-day eruption that wreaked massive destruction and forced evacuations and curfews, lava has ceased flowing from a volcano on the Canary Island of La Palma.

Cumbre Vieja's volcano was abruptly silent.

On television reports, explosions and the hissing sound of debris spewing out were no longer heard.

However, a cloud of ash and smoke lingered over the peak, but it was noticeably smaller than it had been in recent days.

It has been uncertain how long the eruption will last since it began more than a week ago.

In comments to RTVE state television on Monday, a volcanologist said such interruptions were not uncommon and that it was too early to say whether the eruption was ultimately stopped.

On Monday, when the lava flow approached the sea and was only 800 metres from the island's west shore, authorities imposed a curfew in several adjacent villages.

When lava with a temperature of above 1000 degrees Celsius comes into touch with saltwater, toxic gases might occur.

People were advised not to leave their homes and to keep their windows and doors locked in the municipalities of San Borondon, Marina Alta, Marina Baja, and La Condesa, where the curfew was imposed.

Meanwhile, the island's airport has reopened, according to operator Aena. Volcanic ash has been removed off the runway.