La Palma volcano: Scientists to carry out HUNDREDS of tests to CONTROL eruption

Fears are growing that the deadly Cumbre Vieja volcano could erupt after a “swarm” of seismic activity hit La Palma and neighbouring Tenerife and Gran Canaria this week. 

The Canary Islands was shook by 50 low power earthquakes ranging between magnitude 1.5 and 2.7 over the past three days. 

And now scientists will carry out 600 tests in a bid to control the islands most active volcano, which is located in La Palma. 

A 2.8 quake was detected north west of Grand Canaria on Tuesday night, followed by a more powerful 3.6 magnitude quake at 6.38am (local time) on Wednesday morning. 

LA PALMA VOLCANO EARTHQUAKES MAPPED

Since the eruption of the Teneguía volcano in 1971, La Palma has never experienced such a huge quantity of seismic events as those recorded last weekend. 

Although residents have been told to remain calm, as this type of phenomena in active volcanic areas is common, experts have intensified their visits to monitor events on the ground. 

The worrying seismic shift prompted scientists from the Volcanological Institute of the Canary Islands (Involcan) to examine the unusual activity. 

But the “seismic swarm” activity could be a sign La Palma’s volcano is be set to erupt, leaving a trial of destruction along the US East Coast, Spain and even Britain. 

And overnight and into dawn on Wednesday, 10 more tremors were recorded from the huge Cumbre Vieja volcano, which sits on La Palma. 

However, experts have assured residents that this sort of seismic movement is “absolutely normal”. 

Director of the Canarian Institute of Volcanology Nemesio Pérez said: “It is absolutely normal for active volcanoes to register seismic swarms such as the one that this weekend has been recorded in the Cumbre Vieja volcano.”