The volcano eruption on La Palma | DW Documentary

On 19 September 2021, the earth opened up on the Atlantic island of La Palma. What followed was the longest volcanic eruption in the island’s history - and an impressive demonstration of Nature’s destructive power. Spawned by fire: On 19 September 2021, the earth opened up on the Atlantic island of La Palma. What followed was the longest volcanic eruption in the island’s history - and a rare opportunity for scientists to watch evolution at work. For almost three months, the volcano high on the island’s Cumbre Vieja ridge gushed gigantic chunks of pyroclastic material, lava and ash. At times, several lava flows moved downslope at a speed of 120 meters per hour. Anything in their way was destroyed and buried under a layer of lava up to 60 meters thick. At the foot of the mountain ridge, the eruption left behind an eerie scene. The only reminders of the once densely populated valley are chimneys sticking out of the tops of hills of solidified lava. A snow-like layer of dust transformed huge areas of the island into a nightmarish lunar landscape. But new life has already begun emerging from the destruction. The documentary charts the scientific work carried out on the volcano from the first day of the eruption.