The National Geographic Institute (IGN) of Spain reported this Thursday that, in the last 24 hours, more than 300 earthquakes were reported on the Canary Island of La Palma due to the activity of the Cumbre Vieja volcano, the highest number in a single day since began its eruption on September 19.
One day after completing two months of activity, the damage caused registered more than a thousand hectares of land on La Palma, as well as the destruction of nearly 2,000 buildings and the evacuation of more than 7,000 people.
According to the authorities, a new stream is advancing towards the sea at a speed of 70 meters per hour and is about 300 meters from the coastal strip, an issue that worries the members of the Canary Islands Volcanic Emergency Plan (Pevolca) for the impact it may cause.
So far, the volcano has not lost any strength and specialists do not foresee the end of its activity in the near future.
The IGN specified that, in 59 days of volcanic eruption, the Cumbre Vieja has released as much sulfur dioxide as human activity in the European Union throughout 2019.
Economic consequences
The Government of the Canary Islands has reported that the cost of the damage caused by the phenomenon is between 550 and 700 million euros (between 643 and 819 million dollars, approximately).
He also raised an advance of 13 million euros (15,210,000 dollars) in order to compensate for the lost banana production.
For its part, the Union of Small and Medium Farmers and Ranchers has asked the Government of the Canary Islands to accelerate the payment of aid for the sector and thus face the effects of the Cumbre Vieja.
Solidarity with La Palma
Given the situation that the volcano has generated on the island of La Palma, the sports clubs Real Madrid and Tenerife have agreed to a meeting for next December 17 in order to raise funds and help those affected.
The city of Lorca also showed solidarity by donating about 11,800 euros (approximately 13,800 US dollars) to support reconstruction and face the consequences.
