2021 Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption
An eruption at the Cumbre Vieja volcanic ridge, comprising the southern half of the Spanish island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, took place between 19 September and 13 December 2021. It was the first volcanic eruption on the island since the eruption of Teneguía in 1971. At 85 days, it is the longest known and the most damaging volcanic eruption on La Palma since records began. The total damage caused by the volcano amounts up to 843 million euros.
The eruption seen at night on 20 September 2021
Close-up view of the area covered by the lava flow as of 20 September 2021[update]
The eruption on 20 September
The church of Saint Pius X in Todoque was destroyed by the reinvigorated lava flow on 26 September
The Cumbre Vieja is an active volcanic ridge on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain. The spine of Cumbre Vieja trends in an approximate north–south direction, comprising the southern half of La Palma, with both summit ridge and flanks pockmarked by dozens of craters and cones. The latest eruption began on 19 September 2021 in a forested area of Las Manchas locality known as Cabeza de Vaca. Voluminous lava flows quickly reached populated areas downslope, fanning out across settlements and banana plantations, destroying thousands of buildings and ultimately pouring over steep cliffs into the ocean to enlarge the island at several locations. The volcano went quiet on 13 December 2021, and on 25 December 2021, the local government declared the eruption to be over.
Satellite photo of La Palma island in 2016, with Cumbre Vieja on the southern part of the island (picture is oriented with north at the top)
International Space Station image of Cumbre Vieja (right) and its volcanic cones (in 2008)
Crater del Hoyo Negro, 2008
The lava lake La Malforada with Montaña del Fraile, in the background Vulcano Deseada, 2008