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article_detail
Date Published: 28/10/2021
ARCHIVED - La Palma considers bombing lava to change its direction
The lava flow on the Canary Island has already decimated countless homes and crops
Authorities on the Canary Island of La Palma, where the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on September 19, are understood to be considering the controversial move of dropping bombs on the lava flows in order to redirect them away from vulnerable towns. The seemingly extreme measure is not unheard of though; it has actually been used several times before in Sicily, following the eruptions of Mount Etna.
La Palma is looking into using military planes with the view of “bombarding” the lava flows to minimise the devastation which is being caused to crops, homes, businesses and infrastructure. The major difference between the Spanish eruption and Etna, however, is that in Sicily, there was a far greater distance between the source of the volcano and local towns, so that authorities were able to carefully place the bombs in strategic locations to ensure the lava was redirected into their pre-constructed channels.
On May 14, 1983, explosives which threatened two inhabited areas were used for the first time in Sicily in what is believed to be the first intervention of its kind in Europe. Ten years later, during the 1991-1993 eruption, explosives were used again. Both operations were only partially successful, however, and the method has remained controversial ever since.
Más imágenes de la erupción grabadas a las 20.30 (hora canaria) para finalizar el día de hoy / More footage of the eruption recorded at 8.30 pm (Canarian hour) to conclude today’s live tweeting of Cumbre Vieja activity pic.twitter.com/BUb7SCycn4
— INVOLCAN (@involcan) October 27, 2021
Aside from the continuous lava spews threatening towns on La Palma, residents have to contend with strong earthquakes shaking the island on a daily basis. The latest occurred on Wednesday afternoon, October 27, and registered 4.8 on the Richter scale. Just ten minutes later a series of chain earthquakes were recorded, eleven of which exceeded the magnitude of 3 according to the National Geographic Institute (IGN).
And if this weren’t enough, the Canary Island continues to receive an influx of ‘volcano tourists’ who flock to local viewpoints for a glimpse of the action. Yesterday, the Pevolca Steering Committee decided to reinforce the controls on the LP-2 and LP-3 highways in an effort to control traffic and pedestrians clogging up the routes.
Last month, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Provincial Traffic Headquarters was forced to apply restrictions on several thoroughfares in the vicinity of the volcano whereby only local residents were permitted, and the flow of tourists to La Palma is only expected to increase in the coming days during the All Saints holiday weekend.
Image: Involcan
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