Posted on 09/26/2021 7:07:51 PM PDT by BenLurkin
The volcano on La Palma, which is part of the volcanic Canary Islands off northwest Africa and is home to about 85,000 people, erupted on Sept. 19. The prompt evacuations of more than 6,000 people helped avoid casualties.
Life on the rest of La Palma, which is roughly 35 kilometers (22 miles) long and 20 kilometers (12 miles) wide at its broadest point, has been largely unaffected.
"We're not in a state of total alarm," the technical director of the volcano emergency response unit, Miguel Ángel Morcuende, told a news conference. "Life on the island is continuing, though those close to the eruption are facing difficulties."
The volcano mouth was still ejecting fiery molten rock and belching black smoke. Its roar could be heard kilometers away. Scientists say the eruption could last for up to three months.
The sound of the volcanic explosions can break glass in the surrounding area, Morcuende said, urging people living within 5 kilometers (3 miles) to stay away from their windows.
Officials said the falling volcanic ash isn't a threat to public health, but cleaning it up can be hazardous for people's lungs and eyes. They urged people to wear a face mask, gloves and eye protection, as well as trousers and long-sleeve shirts, when removing ash.
Some 25,000 metric tons of sulfur dioxide are being emitted from the crater every day but don't pose a health threat, officials said.
Despite Spanish airport authority Aena tweeting that La Palma airport was operational again on Sunday, no aircraft were expected to land or take off. Five airlines had already canceled their day's flights to La Palma because of the ash cloud. Volcanic ash is hazardous for aircraft engines.
(Excerpt) Read more at phys.org ...
Saint Elmo’s Fire
I think they’re more concerned with sandblasting engine components.
As long as the western mass of the island doesn’t sluff off into the ocean and create a tidal wave that will wreck our East Coast.
… since, you know, there’s no way for a tsunami to just hit Washington DC….
Get ready to rumble! :^)
“I think they’re more concerned with sandblasting engine components.”
Another problem is the fine ash melts in the engine hot section, leaving a volcano glass coating on the turbine blade. Really messes with the airflow and efficiency.
Also, sandblasted windscreens are lots of fun when trying to land!
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/ash_clouds_air_routes_effects_on_aircraft.html
Screw your engines up badly enough and you don’t have to sweat the landing thing.
“Screw your engines up badly enough and you don’t have to sweat the landing thing.”
Curious to me that these volcanoes do not contribute to climate change according to USGS.
Remember the Russian tsunami torpedo? For some reason this maxe me think oc that.
Remember the Russian tsunami torpedo? For some reason this makes me think of that.
Snorkel on over.
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