El Hierro Volcano (Canary Islands) : October 11 : Eruption vent : 5 km from Restinga at 600 meter depth

Last update: October 11, 2011 at 2:20 pm by By Armand Vervaeck and James Daniell

Parador de El Hierro, gives a good idea on the coastline - Click on the picture to watch a video

IMPORTANT UPDATE 14:04 UTC : The government of the Canary Island has asked the population of the Southernmost City of La Restinga (also an important port) with an urgent call to come together on the local football field. People at the island think that the meeting is scheduled to prepare for an eventual opening of vents closer towards the island.
The authorities have called a press conference in Valverde soon to give more information about their decision. We will bring you the information as it is published. We will however not speculate on the next measure to be taken.

Update 11/10 – 09:24 UTC : Ay 9 PM UTC yesterday, authorities have finally confirmed that an eruption took place on the ocean floor 5 km from Restinga, the southernmost location on El Hierro. IGN (Spanish seismological agency) has set the eruption depth at 600 meters. The alert level remains at yellow and authorities are asking the population to remain calm. The confirmation came after that scientists from IGN and CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas) have been circling the presumable spot of the eruption with helicopters. An important number of dead fish where the convincing sign that an eruption took place. Until then it was presumed that an eruption took place, but only based on indirect instrument readings (harmonic tremors, decrease of deformation, etc.).
Carmen Lopez from IGN, said to the press that the next 24 hours will indicate whether the eruption vent widens in if it does, in which direction (towards the island or towards the south).

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