New astronaut and satellite pictures of an active volcano on the island of La Palma expose the frightening beauty of the eruption, along with its dangerous proximity to people. Lava started gushing out of the Cumbre Vieja crater on the island, which is located off the coast of northwestern Africa and governed by Spain, on Sunday (Sept. 19). On Wednesday (Sept. 22), European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet shared an image of the eruption as seen from his perch on the International Space Station.” Set against the blackness of the surrounding Atlantic Ocean the bright orange radiance is much more excellent,” Pesquet composed in a tweet.Related: 10 amazing volcanoes in our planetary system in photosImage 1 of 3The erupting volcano on the La Palma island off the coast of west Africa seen from the International Space Station in this picture from European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet. (Image credit: ESA/Thomas Pesquet) Image 2 of 3The surroundings of the active volcano on the island of La Palma in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. (Image credit: Maxar Technologies) Image 3 of 3A satellite image of La Palma prior to the eruption started. (Image credit: Maxar Technologies) Meanwhile, satellites have actually likewise been hard at work keeping an eye on the eruption. New high-resolution images taken by a satellite run by Earth-observation company Maxar Technologies on Tuesday (Sept. 21) at 11:54 p.m local time (6:54 p.m. EDT or 2254 GMT), show the volcanos geyser of lava. Maxar then combined this image with that of a larger view recorded throughout daytime. The combined image reveals a dense patchwork of structures and roadways stretching up the flank of the volcano almost to the edge of the crater. Scientists from all over the world continue to closely keep track of the ongoing eruption, Cumbre Viejas first since 1971, and anticipate the effects the remainder of the world may feel from the thick plumes of smoke and ash it gushes spreading through Earths atmosphere. Related: Satellites see volcano appear on La Palma after half a century of silenceAccording to the European Unions Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), the sulfur dioxide-rich smoke will continue spreading out northwest over Morocco, Algeria and the rest of the Mediterranean region. The plume will move over Spain and reach main France by the end of this week, CAMS previously anticipated. CAMS Senior Scientist Mark Parringron said in a new declaration that the effects of the sulfur dioxide plume on weather condition and air pollution levels on the ground will likely be negligible. At ground level, the gas can irritate the respiratory system and get worse conditions such as asthma. Sulfur dioxide can also respond with other substances in the environment and type aerosol particles that contribute to particulate contamination. In combination with atmospheric water, it can trigger acid rain, which can harm trees and plants. However, the majority of the sulfur dioxide coming from Cumbre Vieja is at high enough altitudes, 3 miles (5 kilometers) up, not to carry these hazards.” Most of the discharged sulfur dioxide is much greater up in the atmosphere, particularly as you get even more away from the source,” Parrington said.” [It] might just show up as a light haze up in the sky.” Related: Images: 10 extraordinary volcanoes in our solar systemThe forecasted spread of the sulfur dioxide-rich plume from the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the island of La Palma off the coast of northwestern Africa. (Image credit: CAMS) The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Toulouse, France, is also keeping an eye on the La Palma eruption for the spread of ashes that could threaten planes. (In 2010, a six-month eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland triggered the worst air traffic disturbance in Europe because World War II.) In the meantime, the center stated, the ash can only be detected in the relative vicinity of the volcano. As Cumbre Vieja continues spewing lava and smoke, more citizens are required to leave their houses as the slow-moving however unstoppable lava river continues to spread down the volcanos western flank, bulldozing whatever in its method. Geologists worry that the lava, approximately 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (1,000 degrees Celsius) hot, could trigger surges and release harmful gases once it mixes and reaches the ocean with the sea water, which is anticipated to happen today (Sept. 23). The lava flow has actually currently buried over 350 structures and submerged more than 0.64 square miles (166 hectares) of land, according to the European Unions Copernicus Emergency Management Service.Scientists had anticipated the volcano to emerge because mid-September due to intense seismic activity. Over 22,000 moderate earthquakes had actually shaken the island within the week prior to the eruption, informing geologists to the lava bubbling up the volcano towards the surface. Follow Tereza Pultarova on Twitter @TerezaPultarova. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook..
” Set against the blackness of the surrounding Atlantic Ocean the bright orange radiance is even more excellent,” Pesquet composed in a tweet.Related: 10 unbelievable volcanoes in our solar system in photosImage 1 of 3The emerging volcano on the La Palma island off the coast of west Africa seen from the International Space Station in this picture from European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet. (Image credit: ESA/Thomas Pesquet) Image 2 of 3The surroundings of the active volcano on the island of La Palma in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. New high-resolution images taken by a satellite operated by Earth-observation company Maxar Technologies on Tuesday (Sept. 21) at 11:54 p.m local time (6:54 p.m. EDT or 2254 GMT), reveal the volcanos geyser of lava. Related: Satellites view volcano erupt on La Palma after half a century of silenceAccording to the European Unions Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), the sulfur dioxide-rich smoke will continue spreading northwest over Morocco, Algeria and the rest of the Mediterranean area.” Related: Images: 10 amazing volcanoes in our solar systemThe forecasted spread of the sulfur dioxide-rich plume from the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the island of La Palma off the coast of northwestern Africa.
