Volcanic Eruption In La Palma: Why Africa Should Be Worried

A severe volcanic eruption rocked the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands archipelago off northwest Africa, forcing the evacuation of 6,000 people on Sunday, September 19, 2021.

While thousands of small earthquakes have erupted on the island with a population of 85,000 people, research experts are putting out words on the possible damage these natural disasters poses to the inhabitants of the island, the ocean and neighbouring continents.

According to the Volcanology Institute in the Canary Islands, the aftermath of the eruption could last for up to 84 days, based on its calculation of the length of previous eruptions in the archipelago.

According to the institute, Lava from the eruption has slowed to four metres (13ft) per hour from 700 metres per hour but uncertainties remain on whether the lava would fan out on land or would flow into the sea. For now, recent reports show that the lava may have slowed but has grown thicker in some places, rising to 15m (50ft) high. It now covers some 166 hectares (410) acres.

Why Is Lava Meeting The Ocean Dangerous?

The lava emitting from the eruption has a temperature exceeding 1,000C and could cause explosions when they meet the sea. These explosions would produce a cloud of gas that is harmful to humans, based on previous experience. Angel Voctor Torres, the head of the Canary Islands government, said on Tuesday that one person died after inhaling the gas emitted as lava met the water in the last eruption in 1971.

Why Africa Should Be Concerned

Scientists from all over the world have continued to monitor the eruption since the first footage of it was recorded from outer space. Experts are now predicting other parts of the world may be affected by the thick plumes of smoke and ash the volcano emits into the earth’s atmosphere.

According to new reports, Africa is not safe from the pollution caused by the eruption. European Union’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), has shared that the sulfur dioxide-rich smoke will continue spreading northwest over Morocco, Algeria and the rest of the Mediterranean region.

CAMS Senior Scientist Mark Parringron in a new statement said that the effects of the sulfur dioxide plume on weather and air pollution levels on the ground will likely be negligible. At ground level, the gas can irritate the respiratory tract and worsen conditions such as asthma and other related respiratory problems. Sulfur dioxide can also react with other compounds in the atmosphere and form aerosol particles that contribute to particulate pollution. In combination with atmospheric water, it can cause acid rain, which can damage trees and plants.

The volcano has been spewing out 8,000 to 10,500 tons of sulfur dioxide daily, which is harmful to the lungs, according to Canary Islands’ Volcanology Institute. While these levels of sulfur are still considered safe, there might be an increase in sulphur emission according to research experts.