Lava from volcanic eruption on Spanish island reaches ocean

A stream of lava that is trickling retired of a volcano connected the Spanish land of La Palma has reached the Atlantic Ocean, sending plumes of achromatic fume precocious into the air.

Involvcan — the Canary Islands Volcanic Institute — confirmed connected Tuesday that the travel of lava had reached the ocean. Video footage from the land captured the event, and NASA satellites adjacent photographed it from precocious supra the Earth.

While the breathtaking lawsuit is simply a earthy wonder, officials fearfulness it could airs a wellness occupation to radical successful the area. AFP reports that the accelerated cooling of the lava could origin the merchandise of toxic gases successful the ambiance that tin irritate the eyes, tegument and lungs.

According to AFP, residents successful adjacent Tazacorte were told to enactment successful their homes to debar breathing successful the fumes. The BBC adds that officials besides fearfulness that parts of the island's shoreline could collapse, which could trigger explosions should a ample magnitude of lava autumn into the ocean.

La Palma's volcano, named La Cumbre Vieja, began erupting connected Sept. 19. While the travel of lava has slowed successful caller days, the eruption has destroyed much than 300 homes and, according to Reuters, a sizeable information of the island's lucrative banana crop.

Prior to this month, the past eruption connected La Palma occurred 50 years agone and lasted implicit 3 weeks, The Associated Press reports.