Fresh Lava Flows Push Across La Palma Towards Ocean

Volcanic activity on La Palma in the Canary Islands showed no signs of stopping on October 17, nearly a month after the Cumbre Vieja volcano reawakened, spewing lava, gas and other material over the island.

As of Friday, volcanic activity has claimed at least 1,835 structures on the island, according to the European Union’s Copernicus satellite program. Scientists with Copernicus measured lava flows at over 753 hectares (roughly 2.9 square miles).

Binter Canarias, the flag-carrier airline for the Canary Islands, said all flights in and out of La Palma airport would be cancelled on October 17 due to “the current situation of the ash cloud."

This footage, taken on Sunday by the Canary Islands Volcanology Institute (INVOLCAN), shows lava flows damaging structures in La Palma. INVOLCAN said a lava front, measured at 1,270 degrees Celsius (2,318 Fahrenheit), was moving at around 15 meters per hour towards the sea. Credit: INVOLCAN via Storyful