Toxic gas, new rivers of molten lava endanger Spanish island
By ARITZ PARRA and RENATA BRITO
Associated Press
EL PASO, Canary Islands (AP) — On the Spanish island of La Palma, a new volcanic vent has blown open and unstoppable rivers of molten rock are flowing. toward the sea. Authorities on the island warned Tuesday that more dangers lie ahead for residents, including earthquakes, lava flows, toxic gases, volcanic ash and acid rain. Several small earthquakes shook the island off northwest Africa, keeping nerves on edge. Rivers of lava up to 20 feet high are destroying everything in their path and are closing in on the more densely populated coast. So far, the eruption has destroyed around 190 houses and forced 6,000 people to evacuate. When the lava reaches the sea this week it will emit clouds of toxic gases.
