Magma Plume Activity: eruptions in Canary Islands, Azores shaken by 4.7 magnitude quake

November 14, 2011 – EL HIERRO – An underwater volcano near El Hierro in the Canary Islands has begun erupting near the shore, reports Reuters. The eruptions may be spectacular, but officials have also noticed that the volcano is spewing toxic gases into the air around the island. After a worker studying the volcano became ill, several of the island’s beaches were closed. In the video, a local explains that the volcano is also making the island’s cats act strangely and eat dead fish. The volcano, which is just over 200 feet from the surface, began erupting a week ago. The Daily Mail reports the eruption began with a 4.3-magnitude earthquake. According to the International Business Times, the volcano is shooting magma 65 feet into the air. The eruption is the first in the Canaries since 1971 and locals are already speculating that it may create a new island. Despite the beach closures and dead fish near the island, the island’s human population is safe. The Telegraph reports that Spanish authorities “insist there is no major risk for the population.” –Huffington Post

In addition, a 4.7 magnitude earthquake was reported at the Azores hotspot west of the Canary Islands. The depth of the Azores earthquake was 10 km. The Azores hotspot is a volcanic hotspot located at the Azores in the northern Atlantic Ocean. It has interactions with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge which lies just west of the hotspot.

November 8, 2011 footage  Spanish – contribution by Luisport