La Palma Island (Canary Islands): earthquake swarm picks up again, deformation reaches 10 cm uplift
Sat, 18 Sep 2021, 16:06 | BY: T
Quakes under La Palma during the past 24 hours (map) and depths of quakes over the past 7 days, showing a gradual trend of getting closer to the surface.
The largest quake was a magnitude 3.2 event at 03:26 (UTC) today, at shallow depth of 0.1 km, and was felt by the population. Up to today moment and since the beginning of the series, 5391 earthquakes have been detected, of which 1102 have been located.
The maximum accumulated vertical deformation is around 10 cm in the area close to the earthquake swarm and its distribution is still compatible with a center of pressure from a magma intrusion under the same area. These movements have been observed both with the island's GNSS network and through InSAR data (Sentinel-1).
While the seismic swarm is still far from the levels of the first days of the crisis, which had started on 11 Sep, there is a noticeable trend of quakes becoming shallower. Combined with the ongoing deformation, the chances of a new volcanic eruption are gradually becoming larger: it seems that the pulse of new magma intruding underground, causing both the quakes and the uplift of the ground, has not yet stopped.
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Previous news
Thu, 16 Sep 2021, 09:09
La Palma Island (Canary Islands): earthquake swarm slows down
The earthquake swarm has slowed down significantly over the past 24 hours, but it is too early to draw conclusions as to whether the crisis might soon be ending or whether it will pick up again in intensity. ... Read all
Wed, 15 Sep 2021, 06:00
La Palma volcano (Spain) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 15 September-21 September 2021 (New Activity / Unrest)
An eruption began at La Palma after about a week of intensifying seismicity that showed hypocenters becoming shallower and moving NW, and significant related inflation. During 17-18 September the PEVOLCA (Plan de Emergencias Volcánicas de Canarias) steering committee (comprised of representatives from multiple agencies, local authorities, and institutions) reviewed mitigation, evacuation, and emergency plans. Helicopter and drone overflights were conducted in areas thought to be at risk from an eruption. ... Read all
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