La Palma Volcano’s Underground Vents Are Solidifying as Lava Dries Up

An aerial view of the Cumbre Vieja volcano without activity in the last few hours in Tacande, on the Canary Island of La Palma, in Spain, on Dec. 15, 2021. Borja Suarez/Reuters

LA PALMA, SPAIN—The underground conduits that feed lava from the Cumbre Vieja volcano in Spain’s La Palma island are solidifying, authorities said on Thursday, in a sign that the end of the three-month eruption could be announced by Christmas.

If seismic activity and other factors remain unchanged, La Palma authorities have set Dec. 24 as the day to declare the eruption is over.