Can the Eruption Of La Palma Have Positive Consequences?

On September 19, the Cumbre Vieja Volcano alarmed the communities of La Palma, an island located in the Canary Islands, Spain. After approximately half a century of its last emerging activity in Teneguía, it erupted again. The La Palma eruption forced the evacuation of nearly 5,000 residents and caused dozens of damages.

Currently, no victims are reported and the probability of risk for the population is very low. However, smoke and ash will cause effects on air traffic.

A glimpse into the past

The existence of the Canary Islands and its eight neighboring islands is due to a volcanic event that occurred millions of years ago, from which the aforementioned territories, their ecosystems, tropical forests and deserts arose. The place where this geological structure is located is a paradisiacal archipelago, whose population is 85,000 inhabitants.

La Palma is characterized by its great mountains and its climate makes it a strategic point to observe the stars in the sky, which is why the main astronomical observatory in Europe is installed there.

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Now, the privilege of living in such a beautiful place is its own geographical history, since Cumbre Vieja is one of the most active volcanic formations that exist and it is presumed that in the last 7000 years it has made multiple eruptions, which in our recent past have left damage to architectural structures on the Spanish island.

Recent threat

Although the extension of the recent threat is unknown, experts believe that the lava could continue to affect the island from weeks to months and the only way to find out is by obtaining information on the volume of eruptable magma found. under the volcano, data that today are a mystery to scientists.

Positive effects of the volcanic eruption

Although a volcanic eruption brings with it threats such as damage to building structures, massive evacuations, displacement of families to other places, and damage to visibility for air transport due to the ashes that are concentrated in the sky; an event of such magnitude is also important for various aspects of human life, such as the fact that volcanic lands become very fertile soils thanks to the lava that emerges after an eruption. This directly benefits agriculture.

Another positive consequence is that these volcanoes become a relevant source of geothermal energy due to the heat they accumulate inside. This is how they become an option to produce electricity.

On the other hand, this type of eventuality causes tourism to be promoted thanks to the geothermal effects produced by geysers or thermal springs that would become a great attraction for visitors in this region of the world.

However, similar events have shown that after a volcanic eruption new landscapes emerge that allow outdoor sports and adventure, generating an economic source that would promote rediscovery tours on the island.

In this sense, volcanoes are a threat to the inhabitants, but they also represent an opportunity for the economy and the environment after the development of the geological phenomenon.