MORE HOUSES IN SPAIN’S LA PALMA SWALLOWED BY VOLCANIC LAVA

Sat 09 October 2021:

Buildings near the volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma were swallowed by rivers of lava early Saturday, with flashes of lightning adding to the drama of the red-hot eruption.

According to Reuters witnesses, the magma destroyed at least four structures in the community of Callejon de la Gata.

A secondary lava stream from Spain’s La Palma volcano engulfed plantations on its way to the sea 🌋 pic.twitter.com/bgtSHjWvGK

— Reuters (@Reuters) October 8, 2021

On Sept. 19, the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted, destroying over 800 houses and forcing the evacuation of roughly 6,000 residents from their homes on the island. La Palma is one of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic, with a population of roughly 83,000 people.

The Cumbre Vieja Eruption in La Palma, Spain captured from the east by SkySat on October 4, 2021.

Fun fact: Even if lava is not quite hot enough to glow brightly in visible light, it will still glow in longer & lower energy wavelengths such as near infrared (seen on the right).” pic.twitter.com/wzFDrVjC4G

— Planet (@planet) October 5, 2021

Early Saturday, lightning flashes were spotted near the eruption. Lightning can be formed during volcanic eruptions, according to a 2016 study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, when ash particles collide and create an electrical charge.

The lava from the volcano has swallowed approximately 150 hectares (370 acres) of farmland, the majority of which was used to grow bananas, one of the island’s major crops.

The airport in La Palma has been closed since Thursday due to ash, according to Spanish air traffic operator Aena.

Hundreds of animals stranded by La Palma volcano

‘We have rescued around 140 dogs, maybe more, 60 to 70 cats, goats, sheep, parrots, birds all of which have been rehoused temporarily at foster homes’: La Palma’s makeshift shelter takes in homeless pets as their owners are forced to flee the Cumbre Vieja volcano pic.twitter.com/eWXLHyOPFZ

— Reuters (@Reuters) October 8, 2021

Hundreds of animals have been made homeless since the volcano on the island of La Palma began erupting last month.

Members of the Benawara Plant and Animal Protection Society have set up a temporary animal shelter for them.

The society is housing more than 140 dogs, 70 cats and all kinds of other animals, such as goats, sheep and parrots.

Some of the animals were handed over by their owners after they were forced to evacuate, while the other animals were brought to the society by the police and other rescuers.

(with agency)

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