'Immense' Plume Spewed From Spanish Volcano Amid 'Strong Explosive Activity'

An “immense volcanic plume” towered over La Palma, one of Spain’s Canary Islands, after “strong explosive activity” at the erupting Cumbre Vieja volcano sent ash, gas, and lava skyward at around 6 pm on Monday, December 13, officials said.

Footage taken by researchers with the Canary Islands Volcanology Institute (Involcan) from a mountain trail north of the volcano shows a towering column of ash and gas taking form as lava spews out and tumbles down the volcano’s flanks.

In the 86 days since the volcano began erupting on September 19, almost 7.5 square miles (11.93 km sq.) of the island had been affected by the volcano, and at least 2,910 buildings had been damaged beyond repair, emergency officials said.

More than 540 people were being sheltered in hotels as of December 13, officials added. Credit: INVOLCAN via Storyful