Watching the Volcano…

It’s Sunday night, and our movers are coming TOMORROW!!

So just a quick note to share something I’ve been wanting to cover in the blog for a few weeks, which is the volcano erupting in the Canary Island of La Palma. As of today, it’s been going for 28 days, and there is no sign of it stopping any time soon.

Some rough figures: the lava from the eruption has so far destroyed 1835 buildings. Every day it adds another handful to that figure. And that’s not to say how many more haven’t been destroyed, but the roads leading to them have been blocked with molten rock and are completely impassable. So, lots of people on the island are affected.

There have also been 83 earthquakes associated with the volcano, and the other day there was volcanic lightning.

I’m fortunate enough to be on the mainland, far away from the scene of disaster, but close enough that it’s still on the news, pretty much daily. And watching the images, well, it’s just incredible. Awe inspiring. The sheer enormity of the volcano continuously erupting, spewing flames and rock fragments high into the air, which fall in flickering whisps, and the glowing yellow and orange rivers of molten rock that flow like honey being tipped from an overturned jar…well, it just takes my breath away.

There’s a (free) channel/app called RTVEPlay which has a livestream of the volcano erupting, and every night we put it on for a while. I’m mesmerized, watching the explosions, hearing the soft roar, and wondering how far I’ll be able to see the lava flow before it is cooled enough that it no longer glows and is therefore lost in the blackness of the night.

None of this is to diminish the pain and suffering of the islanders who have to contend with this situation. About 7000 people, just under 10% of the island’s population, have been forced to flee their homes, sometimes with very little warning, and unable to carry much, with no idea when or if it will ever be safe to return. I feel really bad about their plight and there are a lot of charity campaigns that have been set up to help clothe, feed and house the volcano refugees on the Spanish mainland or one of the other islands.

Still, I just wanted to share these images, on the night of calm before the chaos that will erupt in our home tomorrow, all the noise and mess, boxes and items spewed and strewn across the house as we unpack. But tonight, we sit here and watch the volcano hurling green and yellow flames into air and leaking orange rock, like thick cake batter, down its side, and wonder at the strength and might of this planet we inhabit.