La Palma quakes intensify as lava fountain reaches 600 metres

The ‘seismic swarm’ on the island of La Palma has strengthened in frequency and intensity, as stronger quakes are being detected more frequently on the island and in surrounding areas.

Yesterday a 4.8 magnitude quake was detected just after 3.20 in the afternoon in the Villa de Mazo district. The initial quake was followed by a series of aftershocks, some measuring magnitude 3.

Over 150 quakes were detected yesterday according to data released by the National Geographic Institute.

Meanwhile the lava fountain which is coming from the main vent on the Cumbre Vieja volcano reached a height of 600 metres today. Footage released shows molten magma and rock being blasted into the sky.

Data from monitoring stations has also recorded that the deformation near the eruption has reversed. On Tuesday parts of the land near to the main eruption site had risen by 10cm. Yesterday it was confirmed that the deformation had reversed nearly back to where it was before.

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