Although the roar of the Tajogaite volcano has long since ceased, the island of La Palma has not yet escaped its invisible effects. The recent meeting of the scientific committee of Special Civil Protection and Emergency Response Plan for Volcanic Risk in the Canary Islands (Pevolca) has made it clear that, although the ground is still calm, the air is still active in certain areas. Therefore, the authorities have decided to keep the volcanic alert level at yellow, a precautionary measure to remain vigilant while they continue to analyze what is happening underground.
The situation is particularly concentrated in areas such as Puerto Naos, La Bombilla and Tajuya, where experts They constantly monitor Carbon dioxide and radon emissions. These gases, which seep naturally through cracks in the ground, continue to show levels that, in some areas, exceed health regulations. The main objective right now is to ensure that residents can return to normal life safely and securely, without taking any missteps that could compromise anyone's safety.
Health risks from the persistence of CO2 and radon gas
Carbon dioxide is a familiar element in the region, but what's really capturing researchers' attention in this new phase is radon gas. It's a naturally occurring radioactive element that, according to the latest research, uses CO2 as if it were a vehicle to move From the depths to the surface. For this reason, wherever high concentrations of carbon dioxide are detected, it is very likely that radon is also present, which makes it necessary to keep a close eye on homes and commercial premises.
Currently, the deployment of resources to monitor this phenomenon is impressive. 105 trace detectors and a dozen continuous measurement devices have been installed, several of which have triggered alerts by registering more than 300 becquerels per cubic meterThis figure is no joke, as it is the legal reference limit in Spain, and has led the La Palma Island Council to send detailed reports to the Nuclear Safety Council so that they can take action and help decide on the next steps to take.
To try to mitigate these emissions, some rather innovative tests are being carried out. For example, the Eduardo Torroja Institute has conducted trials of soil depressurization These methods have yielded very promising results, managing to reduce the amount of gas within a radius of up to 50 meters. Even so, scientists warn that geological faults located both north and south of the volcanic flows are facilitating the release of these compounds, so monitoring will continue for some time.
In the Puerto Naos and La Bombilla areas, the Island Council continues to be very strict with safety protocols. A limit has been set of 700 parts per million For CO2 emissions in authorized homes, a figure that seeks to protect residents above all other considerations. In fact, it has been detected that some breaches of access regulations or the disconnection of sensors occur mainly in second homes, something that worries the authorities because the risk, even if it is not seen or smelled, is still present.
State-of-the-art technology for real-time monitoring
What has been set up in La Palma at a technological level is, in the words of experts, a true milestone. The National Geographic Institute, together with Involcan, has deployed a network of 1.800 smart sensors These devices, distributed throughout buildings across the affected area, send information every five minutes to a 24-hour control center. Thanks to this system, if gas levels rise above normal levels at any point, an immediate alert is triggered so that emergency services can respond without delay.
This immense database is revealing that emissions are not always the same; they change depending on the time of day and the season. That's why it's so important. extend the measurements Over time, this is crucial to fully understand how these gases behave and avoid relying solely on still images that could be misleading. Collaboration between scientists, the Island Council, and local residents has been key to ensuring this entire infrastructure functions flawlessly and positions the island as a global leader in post-volcanic eruption management.
Although doubts or concerns occasionally arise among the population, the National Geographic Institute insists that there is currently no indication that the volcano will become active again in the short or medium term. The Canary Islands are volcanically active, and this is something we must live with, always keeping our resources ready. civil protection mechanismsThe research effort being made in the Aridane Valley not only serves to ensure the well-being of the people of La Palma today, but will be a masterclass for any other region of the world that faces a similar challenge in the future.
The management of natural emissions in the Tajogaite area is being kept under rigorous technical control to prevent any unnecessary incidents. With a continuous monitoring network and ongoing studies of radon and CO2 levels, the Canary Islands institutions are striving to balance economic and social recovery with maximum environmental safety. It is clear that science and prevention go hand in hand in this process, ensuring that every step taken toward normalcy in the areas most affected by the eruption is backed by verified data and unprecedented technological monitoring in the archipelago.