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El Nacional

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IMAGES | Eruption on La Palma: a volcano's dramatic re-awakening

Suddenly, it erupted. With an initial explosion that spewed molten rock and ash high into the air above forest and mountainside, the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the island of La Palma (Canary Islands) burst into life on Sunday afternoon. It followed more than a week of low-intensity earthquakes in the area.

The eruption occurred in an area known as Montaña Rajada, in the municipality of El Paso. The Canary Island authorities had already planned the evacuation of people from a radius of two kilometres around the site of the anticipated eruption, and it had already been decided to move people with reduced mobility. "The volcano has erupted in La Palma in a forested area. Exercise great caution," said the president of the Canary Islands autonomous community, Ángel Víctor Torres.

Now, with fountains of molten rock, ash and gas, lava flows and occasional explosions, the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano continues. So far, it has forced the evacuation of between 5,000 and 10,000 people from three municipalities in the area, according to the Civil Guard. Although the eruption is not centred on a built-up area, it is close to homes and businesses, and many have already been engulfed by the lava flows.

It is the first time the Cumbre Vieja complex has been volcanically active since 1971.

The eruption begins on Sunday afternoon

On Sunday afternoon, just after 3pm local time, close to Las Manchas, in the locality of El Paso (La Palma), the volcanic eruption began. / Efe

The eruption and the mountain

The Cumbre Vieja ("Old Summit") volcano complex, a volcanic ridge about 25km long, has accumulated thousands of earthquakes over the last week, before it burst into action in the Montaña Rajada area. / Efe.

Firefighters working in the eruption area

Firefighters help get a vehicle back on the road, on September 19th, 2021, in El Paso, La Palma, Canary Islands (Spain). / Europa Press

A soldier prepares beds for evacuees

Around 85,000 people live on the island of La Palma and the eruption has meant that thousands have had to leave their homes. Centres have been prepared to receive them. / EFE

Beauty and destruction: a man photographs the scene

From afar, a man photographs the eruption of this part of the Cumbre Vieja complex in its first hours of activity as lava flows move steadily down the mountainside. / Europa Press

The view from afar

The column of smoke and ash rising high into the atmosphere from the volcano can be seen in a view from many kilometres away. / ACN

An awesome virulence

Lava flows from the volcano engulf everything in their path in a chilling reminder of nature's supreme power. The fountains of molten rock and lave flows can be seen from many points on the island. / Europa Press

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez arrives in La Palma

The Spanish PM, Pedro Sánchez, arrived at the scene on Sunday evening, cancelling a trip to New York to fly to the Canary Islands. / EFE

An eruptive vent expels lava and pyroclasts in the Cabeza de Vaca area

During its first day, the volcanic eruption has been taking place along two fissures, about 200 metres apart. Along those fissures there are at present a total of eight vents spewing molten rock skywards. / Europa Press.

The eruption by night, from El Paso (La Palma)

The lava flows, which have temperatures of around 1075ºC, are advancing downhill at about 700 metres per hour. They have already engulfed many homes, but there has been no loss of life.