April 26, 2024

Cumbre Vieja Lights Up the Night – Astronaut Photo Captures Volcanic Eruption From Space

September 2021
An astronaut picture shows the proximity of a volcanic eruption to close-by cities on the Spanish island of La Palma.
A volcanic eruption on La Palma in the Canary Islands has actually destroyed hundreds of houses and led countless people to leave. The proximity of the lava to established locations is particularly obvious in this photograph, shot with a portable cam on September 22, 2021, by an astronaut onboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The eruption began on September 19 from cracks on the western flanks of Cumbre Vieja, an extended volcanic variety spanning the southern two-thirds of the island. Observers reported a preliminary surge that day that lofted ash and gas thousands of feet into the air.

Pulsating fountains of lava have actually since been feeding lava streams running downslope, engulfing trees, banana plantations, homes, and facilities. La Palma is one of the youngest of the Canary Islands, a volcanic island chain off the west coast of Morocco. The International Space Station Program supports the laboratory as part of the ISS National Lab to help astronauts take photos of Earth that will be of the greatest worth to scientists and the public, and to make those images easily available on the Internet.

By Kathryn Hansen. NASA Earth Observatory
September 26, 2021

Pulsating fountains of lava have because been feeding lava flows running downslope, swallowing up trees, banana plantations, homes, and facilities. According to report, more than 5,000 people left as lava flows threatened areas in El Paso, Los Llanos de Aridan, and Tazacorte. Ashfall and sulfur dioxide emissions affected close-by neighborhoods.
La Palma is among the youngest of the Canary Islands, a volcanic archipelago off the west coast of Morocco. La Palmas Cumbre Vieja last emerged in 1971. “While 50 years is a reasonably very long time for people, its a geological moment in terms of this really active volcano,” said William Stefanov, a remote noticing scientist for the International Space Station science workplace.
Stefanov previously discussed La Palma in 2008, explaining geologic features visible in an astronaut photo of the very same location. By day, it ends up being easy to see Cumbre Viejas many cinder cones, craters, and lava flows.
Astronaut photograph taken by a member of the Expedition 65 crew. The image has been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast, and lens artifacts have been eliminated. The International Space Station Program supports the laboratory as part of the ISS National Lab to assist astronauts take photos of Earth that will be of the greatest worth to scientists and the public, and to make those images easily offered on the Internet.