- Satellite View of El Hierro Eruption - NASA
The island of El Hierro continues to suffer major seismic activity according to reports in Spanish media, such as the newspaper El Pais.
On Tuesday 8 November 2011, the islanders were shocked by two large bubbles of gases coming to the surface of the sea off the coast near the village of La Restinga. The activity follows a weekend of earthquakes, with up to twenty a night, then a quiet Monday. The first bubble appeared at 4pm local time, with a smaller one at 5pm. A very strong smell of sulphur washed ashore and was detected several kilometres away. Scientists rushed to test the air quality to confirm that the gas cloud did not contain any dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide.
Gas Bubble Contamination Fears
The volcanologist in charge of monitoring the seismic activity on the island, Rubén López, who has been banned from talking to the press, calmed the population’s fears by walking down to the sea to collect data without anything more serious than a pen in his hand and the apparatus for measuring the gases. Some people, including members of the press had taken to wearing masks over their faces in a vain attempt to prevent any contamination.
The activity follows a number of eruptions on the island. One of the major concerns of the scientists is that the volcano will open a fissure on land. So far there are two fissures from which magma and gases are issuing on the south side of the island, near La Restinga, both under the sea and a small one on the north side of the island, also below the sea.
Population of El Hierro Suffers Uncertainty
The population of La Restinga are suffering a time of extreme uncertainty. Every few days they are evacuated, then things calm down and they are allowed back to their homes, then further seismic activity occurs and they have to pick up their already packed bags and head out again. The tunnel on the main road that connects the north and south of the island is only open for emergency vehicles and the people on the south side of the island have had difficulty getting supplies.
Scientists and politicians are warning that the situation could last ‘months’ and that they do not yet fully understand what is happening with the El Hierro volcano. A ship from the Instituto Oceanográfico is now on the scene after what some have felt to be a long delay. Crisis meetings are being held on the island or on the nearby island of Tenerife every two days and the Spanish government in Madrid is being kept fully informed. In fact, the crisis on the island has threatened to overshadow the start of the campaign for the elections taking place on the 20 November 2011.
Volcanic Activity Could Last Months
For now, the press officer for the Secretary General for Security and Emergencies on the Canary Islands, Juan Manuel Santana has said that the local government and the crisis committee will react “as the situation demands”, with plans in place for a total evacuation of the island’s 10,000 inhabitants should that become a necessity.
Everyone on the island is now waiting to see whether the volcano will erupt through a land fissure, the worst case scenario, or will settle back to the rumblings that have been going on since July.
Amanda Payne - By Amanda Payne: Topic Editor for European Affairs. Amanda is a freelance writer with a special interest in Spain and all things ...
