Residents Urged to Stay Indoors Amid Risks of Acidic Plumes

Lava from the erupting La Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma, part of Spain’s Canary Islands, has reached the Atlantic Ocean, triggering fears of toxic gas clouds. The molten rock’s contact with seawater can produce acid plumes, which pose serious health risks, including skin irritation and breathing difficulties.

The Canary Islands regional government had preemptively established a two-nautical-mile exclusion zone around the lava’s expected entry point and advised nearby residents to remain indoors. Late Tuesday, the Canary Islands Volcanic Institute (Involcan) confirmed that the lava had reached Playa Nueva.

La Cumbre Vieja, located on a southern ridge of La Palma, erupted on September 19, forcing evacuations and sending rivers of lava toward the coastline. Inhabitants of Tazacorte, a coastal village, were specifically warned about the dangers posed by the interaction between molten lava and seawater.

Although the lava’s movement has been unpredictable—varying in speed and even halting at times—it finally reached the ocean after days of slow progress. With over 85,000 residents on the island, authorities remain vigilant about the evolving situation and potential health hazards.