Volcanologists have warned the population of the island of La Palma not to approach the lava river when it comes into contact with sea water because new explosions may occur and the smoke that carries substances toxic to the eyes and lungs may also intensify. and the skin.
Magma, when it comes into contact with salty water, causes a chemical reaction that fuels the intense smoke produced by the river of lava and, in addition, releases very fine particles of hydrochloric acid into the atmosphere, which, in turn, can irritate skin or eyes and cause breathing problems.
However, for specialists, the arrival of the river of lava to the sea is the result of normal volcanic activity in the surroundings of the Canary Islands. “What is happening is the normal process of an island of volcanic origin such as La Palma”, explains the president of the Official College of Geologists of Spain, Manuel Regueiro.
Volcano experts recommend that people who live nearby avoid going near to see the “spectacle” of the lava falling into the sea, because the toxic gases will be more intense and, in addition, the wind can carry the smoke to areas far from the wash.
More risk
The Special Emergency Plan for Volcanic Risk of the Canary Islands has intensified its device due to the possibility of generating explosions and emissions of harmful gases.
The Maritime Captaincy has already established a perimeter of exclusion by sea from the south by Punta del Pozo (Puerto Naos) to the north by Las Viñas beach (Tazacorte) and parallel to the coast half a nautical mile from the coast, while by land the security forces will prevent access.
The Pevolca scientific committee continues to recommend an exclusion radius of two kilometers around emission centers to minimize the risk of pyroclastic impacts and exposure to toxic gases.
Danger to boats
On the other hand, officials of the Ministry of Transport have also asked the pleasure boats not to approach the coastal area where the lava river arrives, because magma when it comes into contact with salt water is a risk for the Maritime navigation.
Volcanologists say that modern geophysical techniques already allow calculating the volumes of lava that are in motion and making an estimate of the duration of the eruption, but it is still too early to be able to make a prediction, because “it could be a matter of days or weeks, “says Regueiro.
In addition, the president of the College of Geologists recommends that the local population follow the instructions of the La Palma authorities and not go near the lava flows, now that they are reaching the coast. “Everyone knows that it is very dangerous to approach a volcano when it is erupting and is throwing ash, lava and toxic gases,” concludes this expert.
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