La Palma: Volcanic eruption could last weeks or even months

The devastating volcanic eruption in La Palma could last weeks or even months, the head of the Canary Islands’ Volcanological Institute has warned.

The eruption could last “several weeks, if not a few months,” the director of the Volcanological Institute of the Canary Islands, Nemedio Perez, has cautioned.

The Institute is studying the volcano’s sulphur dioxide emissions to understand when the eruption might end. “The first day we calculated between 6,000 and 9,000 tons, a reasonable amount, we have seen greater amounts. A downward trend will be indicative that the eruption is waning. When 48 have passed without any emission of sulphur dioxide, we can take it as finished,” said Perez.

Lava from the Cumbre Vieja volcano is currently flowing in the direction of three tourist spots, Puerto Naos, La Bombilla and El Remo. More than 5,000 people have been evacuated and dozens of homes have been destroyed by the volcanic eruption.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is in La Palma and has delayed a trip to New York to attend the UN General Assembly. A government spokeswoman said he may cancel the planned tripped entirely if the situation in La Palma worsens.

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