A new lava flow has formed and wreaked more havoc on the Canary island of La Palma. Spanish media reported this on Saturday. The airport on the island has since reopened.
The mass, which has a temperature of about 1,000 degrees, escaped after the collapse of the north side of the volcanic cone in Cumber Vieja.
Since the affected area has already been evacuated, there is no need to take anyone to safety. The volcano emitted an ash cloud up to three and a half kilometers high. Small and medium-sized tremors also regularly rock the south of the island: the strongest was a 4.1-magnitude earthquake.
Cumbre Vieja erupted nearly three weeks ago, on September 19, for the first time in 50 years. Lava has since destroyed about 1,150 buildings. About 6000 people had to leave their homes. So far no one has been hurt. Damage to buildings, infrastructure and agriculture is estimated at 400 million euros.
La Palma Airport was still closed Friday due to an ash cloud in the sky. Meanwhile, the airport has reopened, but cleaning work is still underway, Spain’s Airports Authority reported on Twitter. When flights can take place again, remains to be seen for now. Regional company Binter hopes to be up and running again soon.
