Toxic Gas, New Rivers of Molten Lava Endanger Spanish Island

Toxic Gas, New Rivers of Molten Lava Endanger Spanish Island
Lava from a volcano eruption flows destroying houses on the island of La Palma in the Canaries, Spain, on Sept. 21, 2021. Emilio Morenatti/AP Photo
The Associated Press
Updated:

EL PASO, Canary Islands—As a new volcanic vent blew open and unstoppable rivers of molten rock flowed toward the sea, authorities on a Spanish island warned Tuesday that more dangers lie ahead for residents, including earthquakes, lava flows, toxic gases, volcanic ash, and acid rain.

Several small earthquakes shook the island of La Palma in the Atlantic Ocean off northwest Africa on Tuesday, keeping nerves on edge after a volcanic eruption on Sunday. The island, with a population of 85,000, is part of the Canary Islands archipelago, a key tourist destination for Europeans.