Volcanic eruption on La Palma showing no sign of abating

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 have said.

The volcano on one of the Canary Islands off north-west Africa has so far destroyed more than 1,800 buildings, mostly homes, though prompt evacuations have helped avoid casualties on the island of some 85,000 people.

Canary Islands president Angel Victor Torres said scientists monitoring the eruption that began on September 19 have seen no indications that it is abating, as rivers of lava continue flowing slowly towards the sea.

LA PALMA CANARY ISLANDS, SPAIN - OCTOBER 17: One of the eruptive mouths of the Cumbre Vieja volcano, on 16 October 2021, in La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. The area affected to date is 742 hectares and the maximum width of the lava flow is around 2,350 metres. On the other hand, the latest data from Copernicus indicate that there are 1,923 buildings/constructions affected, of which 1,826 are destroyed and 97 are at risk or partially affected. As for the Cadastre data, there would be a total of 1,058 buildings affected, of which 854 are for residential use. (Photo By Europa Press via Getty Images)

“We are at the mercy of the volcano,” Mr Torres said. “It’s the only one who can decide when this ends.”

Some 7,000 people have had to leave their homes.

The volcano has produced a constant rumble and roar, with dozens of minor earthquakes most days, and has covered a wide area with volcanic ash. The ash plume is several miles high.

LA PALMA, SPAIN - 2021/10/11: Lava streams from the Cumbre Vieja Volcano passing near residential houses. Cumbre Vieja Volcano continues erupting lava with new streams reaching industrial and residential areas. (Photo by Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
LA PALMA, SPAIN - 2021/10/11: Lava streams from the Cumbre Vieja Volcano passing near residential houses. Cumbre Vieja Volcano continues erupting lava with new streams reaching industrial and residential areas. (Photo by Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty Images) (Marcos del Mazo via Getty Images)

Airlines have sporadically had to cancel flights to the islands, including 56 this weekend, due to the ash.

The latest satellite imagery shows the molten rock has covered almost 1,900 acres, most of it countryside and farm land.

Almost 37 miles of roads have also been ruined.

The Spanish government has pledged millions to help rebuild damaged infrastructure.

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