Earthquake rocks La Palma as rivers of lava continue to destroy everything in their path

Michael Howie15 October 2021

La Palma has been rocked by the strongest recorded earthquake to hit the Canary Island since volcanic eruptions began there 26 days ago.

The 4.5-magnitude quake was one of around 60 recorded overnight, according to Spain's National Geographic Institute.

It came as the Cumbre Vieja volcano continued to spew fiery rivers of lava that are destroying everything in their path and dumping molten rock into the Atlantic.

The flow from three rivers of molten rock has broadened to about a mile, the La Palma government said.

Cumbre Vieja volcano continues to erupt on the Canary Island of La Palma
More than 6,000 people have had to abandon their homes since the volcano began erupting
REUTERS

The lava has partially or completely destroyed more than 1,500 buildings, though prompt evacuations have so far avoided casualties.

More than 6,000 people have had to abandon their homes.

La Palma Volcano: Cumbre Vieja

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La Palma is part of Spain's Canary Islands, an Atlantic Ocean archipelago off north-west Africa whose economy depends on tourism and the cultivation of the Canary plantain.

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