El Hierro : Update of Weekend Activity

National Geographic Institute (IGN) scientists reported a total of 78 earthquakes on El Hierro during the course of Sunday, however they were mainly of a low intensity, as opposed to activity on Saturday, where 50 earthquakes measured between 2.0 - 2.6.

The largest quake measured yesterday reached a 3.1 magnitude, with almost half of the quakes having an epicentre close to the town of La Frontera - on the opposite side of the Island to where the underwater Volcani eruption is taking place.

A change in bubble formation, the colour of the stain, and the production of magmatic materials from the eruption yeterday prompted IGN Scientists togethe with the regional executive to commision a flight over the area for further study. A report later concluded that the changes were due to an accumulation of magmatic material in certain areas, which had a different mineral content and therefore resulted in a different colour staining of the surrpunding water.

IGN Scientists continue to maintain that the seismic and volcanic activoity being observed on the Island is 'normal for this kind of eruption', however the red state of alert in and around the town of la Restinga remains in place for now.

A further research vessel, the Ramon Margalef, from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography is expected to arrive in the las Calmas area to commence analysis very shortly.

The latest Youtube clip shows a good summary of recent activity (However, please note that the dates, times and data represent 'Central Daylight Time' as opposed to GMT or CET).

Read further news stories about the El Hierro Volcano by clicking the link HERE .