Yesterday a new vent opened up on the erupting volcano and now acid rain is predicted to hit the Balearics. Strong air currents can blow the sulfur dioxide from the volcano across vast distances.
The dramatic volcanic eruption has spewed red-hot lava since it erupted on Sunday and has caused over 6,000 people to be evacuated.
A luxury hotel, Sol La Palma had to evacuate its 500 guests yesterday to escape the volcano’s destructive path.
Swimming pools have been boiled by the lava and over 200 homes have been completely destroyed.
Experts have said the eruption has emitted between 7,997 and 10,665 tons of sulfur dioxide every day.
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The sulfur dioxide cloud is expected to reach the Balearics and the Spanish mainland on September 23.
If rainfall occurs, experts have said it will be slightly “more acidic”, due to the impact of the sulfur dioxide.
They have stressed that tourists will not be in danger from the acid rain as it will occur high up in the atmosphere.
Gases within the sulfur dioxide cloud react with air and dissolve easily in water causing acidic rain.
Tourists on La Palma have been advised to seek safety and follow local advice. Some may be evacuated to Tenerife.
There have been no injuries or deaths reported during the eruption and local authorities have led mass evacuations.
The scale of destruction has been a surprise to some locals as the volcano has decimated the surrounding landscape.
The Canary Islands are a very popular tourist destination, with many Brits choosing the spot for a holiday.
Spain’s tourism minister provoked fury yesterday when she suggested La Palma could become a site for volcano tourism.
Opposition parties accused her of being “totally inappropriate” by discussing tourism as people lost their homes.
Volcano tourism can be extremely dangerous as the poisonous gases can damage people’s lungs as well as the risk of being burned.
The volcano in La Palma has not erupted for fifty years although this eruption was predicted after tremors were felt last week.
Additional reporting by Rita Sobot.
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