The usual quiet was disrupted today on the tranquil Spanish Canary Island of La Palma, with the eruption of a volcano around 3:15 pm local time, in the Cumbre Vieja national park, according to the Canary Islands government.
The eruption came after a week of enhanced seismic activity. This forewarning enabled authorities to evacuate dozens of locals with mobility problems and farm animals from the villages around the volcano.
The eruption shot a massive column of smoke into the air, followed by fountains of lava and ash. Authorities urged locals to exercise “extreme caution,” and residents of nearby villages were told to evacuate, with five centers set up and soldiers deployed to help maintain order.
Watch the footage as it comes in.
