The volcano on a small Spanish island in the Atlantic Ocean erupted on Sunday, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people.
Experts say the volcanic eruption and its aftermath on a Spanish island could last for up to 84 days.
The Canary Island Volcanology Institute said Wednesday it based its calculation on the length of previous eruptions on the archipelago.
A wall of lava up to 12 meters (40 feet) high bore down on a Spanish village Wednesday as islanders scrambled to save what they could before the molten rock swallowed up their homes following a volcanic eruption.
The lava, which was still spewing from Sunday’s eruption in the Canary Islands archipelago off northwest Africa, advanced slowly down hillsides of La Palma to the coast, where Todoque was the last village between it and the Atlantic Ocean.
Residents hoping to save some belongings queued up so they could be escorted briefly into the village.
In the distance, the lava grew thicker and slowed down to 4 meters (13 feet) per hour after reaching a plain.
Smoke poured out of its leading edge as it destroyed everything it touched.
Experts said the lava could either take several days to cover the remaining 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) to the sea or it could instead spread more widely on land, burying more residential areas and farmland.
Javier López said his house for the past three decades appeared to be in the lava’s path.
He and his relatives had been staying at a friend’s house with the few documents, photos and basic belongings they had grabbed Monday as they were evacuated
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.