Drone footage shows a rocky outcrop that extends Spain’s La Palma coastline further to the west after lava from the Cumbre Vieja volcano poured into the ocean for the third day on Friday (October 1).
On reaching the water, the lava cools rapidly, binding to the cliffside and enlarging the island’s territory.
After meandering downhill to the coast for nearly 10 days, the lava reached the ocean just before midnight on Tuesday near the town of Tazacorte. Thousands have been evacuated from their homes since the volcano erupted on Sept. 19 and the lava flow has destroyed more than 800 buildings, as well as banana plantations, roads and other infrastructure.
Despite fears of toxic gases from the lava reacting with the seawater, authorities said the air remained fine to breathe inland.
The volcano has thrown out 80 million cubic metres of molten rock doubling the amount expelled during La Palma’s last major eruption 50 years ago in half the time.
