El Comité Director del Plan Especial de Protección Civil y Atención de Emergencias por Riesgo Volcánico de Canarias (PEVOLCA), presidido por su director y consejero de Administraciones Públicas, Justicia y Seguridad del Gobierno de Canarias, Julio Pérez, acordó este miércoles mantener todos los dispositivos de protección civil y seguridad a pesar de que en la noche de ayer la lava haya llegado al mar, ya que los científicos no ven evidencias de que la dinámica del proceso eruptivo sea estable, por lo que se sigue monitorizando y tomando medidas vinculadas a este proceso.
For this reason, the technical director of Pevolca, Rubén Fernández - who will relieve Miguel Ángel Morcuende for 48 hours - announced that maritime and land exclusion zones will be maintained, the evacuation of the neighbors decreed last week and confinementof the population nuclei of San Borondón, Marina Alta, Marina Baja and the Countess to guarantee their complete security."We are conducting studies and monitoring constantly and until we know that these areas are out of risk, these measures will be maintained.".
Rubén Fernández said that the return of some neighbors will be allowed to collect belongings and feed the animals, but always under strict control of the Civil Guard and outside the exclusion perimeter of 2.5 kilometers.Likewise, from tomorrow the access of the irrigators will be authorized to their farms in the rowing, Puerto Naos and Las Hoyas for irrigation tasks through a security convoy of the Civil Guard and the UME provided that, after their measurements, can ensure that air quality allows this activity.
The surface affected by the eruption is about 476 hectares, approximately, and according to the data of the Copernicus satellite, there are 744 damaged constructions: 656 in its entirety and 88 partially, between homes, wineries and toe rooms, among others.
Regarding air quality, until now they have not exceeded the allowed values required by current legislation.The values issued by the different stations are available on the Canary Islands Government website and any variation that involves risk to the population will be communicated by the plan of the plan.However, due to ashes, the use of FFP2 masks is recommended throughout the Aridane Valley environment.
On the evacuees, he pointed out that 185 people continue to be realized at the Teneguía Princess Hotel in Fuencaliente and that there are currently no people housed in the El Fuerteamiento, although it is operational.Fernández also stressed the importance of not relaxing sanitary measures with respect to COVID-19, that is, maintain security distance and reinforce the use of masks.
Finally, he said that emergency services are collaborating in the rescue of animals that have been isolated, but always respecting the security perimeter.
The director of the National Geographic Institute (IGN) in the Canary Islands, María José Blanco, explained that the gase cloud originated after the lava to the sea is limited to the contact area, it has not extended laterally, and has not affected any population.
In addition, in terms of the seismicity recorded in the Fuencaliente area, he said that it is evident that it is related to the ongoing emission, but that the volcanic system has an open exhaust valve and does not need to find a new path towards the Earth's surface.In this regard, he explained that we cannot forget that, in the case of the eruption of the submarine volcano of El Hierro, the seismicity began in the area of El Gulfo in July and advanced crossing the island from north to south, ending inAn eruption in the Sea of Calmas.“Once the eruption had begun, the seismicity was resumed in the area of El GulfThis eruption of old summit ".
scientific Comittee
Prior to the meeting of the Pevolca Director Committee, the scientific committee of the Plan in which its members presented their conclusions about the evolution of the eruptive phenomenon since yesterday.
This Scientific Committee is coordinated by the General Directorate of Security and Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands and is made upFrom Spain (IGME), State Meteorology Agency (AEMET), Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), University of La Laguna and University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Such conclusions were: “The fissural eruption continues to show Strombolian mechanism with an effusive prevalence for two days at the Northern Flanco emission center.At 23.00 hours after overcoming the mountain of Todoque, there was the contact of the lava casting with the sea in the area of the beach of Los Guirres.The active casta maintains a continuous flow in the form of a waterfall and at the base of the cliff a lava delta is being formed, which extends to the south.In the contact area, clouds of water vapor and other possibly toxic gases are being produced, which are concentrated in a small area around the contact.Along the fronts of this active casting that has reached the sea, significant advances can occur.Although active casting has reached the sea, the eruptive process continues its activity.The rest of the casts are practically inactive.
The eruptive process can show episodes of increase and decrease in Strombolian activity, as well as pulses with freatomagmatic activity.
The morphology of the cone changes repeatedly by the successive processes of growth and reconfiguration.
The height measured today from the ashes and gases column is 3.500 m.As for the weather conditions, the anticyclonic situation continues with winds at low levels of the moderate northeast, which will be strong on the southeast coast and in the northwest slope, with probable streaks that could reach 75 km/h.In the area close to the eruption, due to the orographic effect to west slope, predominance of the breezes according to the day cycle (Mar-Tierra address during the day and on the contrary during the night) except in the area of El Paso, where it is expectedEast component with probable occasional values of maximum streak between 65 and 75 km/h.At the levels between 1500 to 3000 meters the wind will be northeast between 35 to 45 km/h turning southeast at the end of the period.Above this stratum (between 3.000 to 5.000 meters) Northwest wind turning south with intensities around 30 km/h.The wind configuration described above will displace the ash cloud and S02 from the current position, south of the eruption area to the northwest of the volcano.Due to the wind turn during the next few hours, fine ashes could reach El Hierro Island during today's afternoon.This provision of the wind at the end of the period would mean a lower impact on the operability of the airports and Canarian airspace.Presence of thermal investment, about 5 or 6, will remain around 1.300-1.500 meters.Probability Weak and occasional rains, especially in northeastern media, during the entire prediction period.
Seismicity continues to be located, mainly, close to the seismicity of the first days, at depths greater than 10 km.Of the earthquakes located yesterday, 6 exceeded the magnitude of 3 MBLG, being 7 the senses with maximum intensity III.There are also some superficial earthquakes in the environment of the eruptive center.The tremor remains stable at medium levels.Deformations show a slight growth of horizontal components in SW direction, and vertical.
The estimate of the emission rate of sulfur dioxide (SO2) to the atmosphere for this eruptive process during yesterday an increase, reaching values of 16.757 tons per day.The chemical composition of the plume with sensors mounted in drone is being measured and the results are consistent with the type of magma involved in this eruption.
Before the large thicknesses of lava casting observed at some points, collapses of their forehead can occur that, in areas of greater slope, can lead to the formation of large fragments of casting, which can be detached from the front of the casting and that in a waysudden reaching distances of several meters from the colada front, depending on the topography.Also in areas of great slope, small pyroclastic flows can be produced.
A radius of exclusion of 2 is recommended.5 kilometers around the emission centers to minimize the risk of impact of pyroclasts and gase exposure.It is also recommended not to approach lava casts due to the risk of exposing themselves to the emitted gases, possible detachments and high temperatures.It is possible that some violent detonations can produce the window glass breakage, to a radius of 5 km from the cone.Therefore, in case of intensification of explosive activity, it is recommended to move away from the windows.
Yesterday the daily particle threshold (50 µg/m3) was exceeded at the Los Llanos Mobile Station.This does not involve overcoming the limits established in the regulations, but it is recommended to continue with the precautionary measures indicated in previous reports.You can monitor the air quality through the website that the Canary Islands government has for this purpose.
In the areas affected by an intense ashes fall (which observed a clear deposition on the ground) and even more so if mists are observed, it is recommended to remain in interior spaces.Outdown, it is also recommended to use FFP2 masks and eye protection systems.Before the arrival of ashes to other islands, it is recommended in those affected, the use of surgical masks.The cleaning of roof.It is insisted that the ash withdrawal procedure indicated by Civil Protection is followed precisely (Ash moisturize, eye protection, carry mask, protect the skin, etc.).
The respect of land and maritime exclusion zones is still imperative to maintain the physical integrity of people.
The continuous monitoring of the activity has been reinforced and any significant change that is observed will be communicated.Keep the information provided by the corresponding civil protection authorities ”.
Red light
The Pevolca establishes a volcanic traffic light as a alert system to the population based on four colors depending on the risk: green, yellow, orange and red.In red the mandatory evacuation of risk areas is carried out.
In this sense, you have to follow the instructions and collaborate with the security forces in the evacuation, keep calm and not spread unfounded rumors.In case of evacuation, the municipalities will communicate the evacuation routes and the established meeting point.It will only be evacuated when indications are given for this.
Among the recommendations is to close all outer windows and doors, lower the blinds and close water, gas and electricity supplies.
Carry your documentation and medicines for daily use, mobile phone and your charger, batteries, flashlight, clothes for about three days.Use only phones for the strictly necessary.You have to go to the established meeting points and in case of having to go to a shelter, you have to go to the affiliation points.
In red traffic light also facilitated indications to protect themselves from the fall of ashes.Do not approach for any reason to the volcano or lava flows.
In this sense, you have to remain in your homes until it has settled, unless there is danger that the roof collapses.
You have to avoid going out and, in case of doing so, your nose and mouth must be covered with a mask to avoid inhaling the ashes directly.You also have to protect the eyes with mask protection glasses, wear glasses instead of lenses or place a damp cloth on the mouth.Also, you have to avoid exercising outdoors.
When ash is falling, close the doors, windows and all the ventilation of the house (chimneys, heating, air conditioners, etc..).Remove the accumulated ash of flat roofs and rain gutters and keep covered deposits and water tanks.
You have to prevent ash making contact with food.Wash fruits and legumes well and not consume outdoor food.
The accumulated ash must be collected in plastic bags, deposit it in containers and avoid throwing it into the public sewer.Volcanic ashes consist of very fine fragments that can cause respiratory tract injuries, eyes and open wounds, as well as skin irritation.
Vehicle engines should be kept out.Driving can lift ash, engines can be clogged and vehicles can break.
In the case of feeling an earthquake inside a house, you have to protect yourself under the frame of a door or a solid furniture, such as a table, and place yourself away from the windows.If you have to leave your home, you have to avoid using the elevator and you have to disconnect water, light and gas.
If you are abroad, you have to get away from high buildings, light posts, advertising fences, etc..And so is near the sea, you have to depart from the shore.
Likewise, given the risk of the lava to reach the sea and in anticipation of possible emanations of gases harmful to health, it is recommended in confined areas to close doors, windows, blinds and any air input from outside and confinement, if it ispossible, in the most interior rooms of the house.
In addition, it is necessary to disconnect ventilation and heating, interrupting any system that enters the outside air.For greater security, it can be sealed, using adhesive tape, the doors and windows.
If you are abroad, it should be taken into account that a vehicle is not a safe place and it is necessary.
In this situation it is essential not to make displacements until indications are given in this regard and only use the telephone 1-1-2 for emergency situations.
