The Scientific Committee of the Volcanic Emergency Plan for the Canary Islands (Pivolca) increased the category from 2 to 3 on a scale of 8, and the scale is calculated by the amount of volcanic material released. Scientific Committee spokeswoman Carmen Lopez explained that the change was due to the amount of lava material emitted and not to any changes in the eruption or eruption mechanism.
In the last hours, the three lava flow fronts are still active, although the only area where the lava occupies new ground is between lava flows 4 and 7, advancing 130 meters, primarily affecting agricultural crops, according to the technical spokesperson . Pevolka Commission, Robin Fernandez.
The class change takes place on a day when La Palma airport is not operating due to ash accumulation from the Cumbre Vieja volcano, according to airport operator AENA, although other airports in the Canary Islands remain open.
This airport closure coincides with deteriorating air quality in the southern region of Las Manchas, which has closed the access road to Fuencaliente, according to Cabildo de la Palma.
The eruption of Cumbre Vieja has already caused the destruction of 866.1 hectares and the destruction of more than 2,000 buildings on the island.
