Detailed Specific Example: Cumbre Vieja (Cambridge International IGCSE Geography)

Specification link

This page covers section 4.4.4 of the CIE IGCSE specification .

• 4.4.4- One detailed specific example to include:

  • The causes and impacts of an eruption of a named volcano
  • The responses to the volcanic eruption
  • The strategies and techniques used to manage the impacts of volcanic eruptions

Causes of the Cumbre Vieja eruption

Spec point — "One detailed specific example to include: • the causes and impacts of an eruption of a named volcano • the responses to the volcanic eruption • the strategies and techniques used to manage the impacts of volcanic eruptions"

Causes of the Cumbre Vieja eruption

• Part of the Canary Islands, La Palma is located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of North Africa
• The Canary Islands are an autonomous region of Spain
• There are 33 volcanoes across the Canary Islands, 10 of which are on the island of La Palma
• La Palma has a population of 85,000

Eruption, September 2021

• The eruption of the Tajogaite volcano on the Cumbre Vieja ridge on La Palma began on September 19, 2021 and the eruption lasted for almost three months
• The eruption was VEI 2 to VEI 3

Location of the Cumbre Vieja eruption

Cause

• La Palma and the other Canary Islands are located on the African plate
• The islands are an archipelago which has formed as the result of a hot spot
• This means that they are not located on a plate boundary but over a magma plume

Impacts of the Cumbre Vieja eruption

Spec point — "One detailed specific example to include: • the causes and impacts of an eruption of a named volcano • the responses to the volcanic eruption • the strategies and techniques used to manage the impacts of volcanic eruptions"

Impacts of the Cumbre Vieja eruption

• Over 7,000 people had to be evacuated from their homes
• Almost **1,500 houses **were destroyed by the lava flow
• Over 1,500 other buildings, such as churches, shops, and schools, were destroyed
• The lava flow cut across the coastal highway
• The water supply was cut off for almost 3,000 people
• Over** 400 hectares of banana farms** were destroyed
• Almost 1,300 hectares of land were affected
• 1 death
• About 20,000 people were exposed to the eruption and its effects
• Air traffic disruption
• €1 billion damages

Responses to the Cumbre Vieja eruption

Spec point — "One detailed specific example to include: • the causes and impacts of an eruption of a named volcano • the responses to the volcanic eruption • the strategies and techniques used to manage the impacts of volcanic eruptions"

Responses to the Cumbre Vieja eruption

Immediate response

• A warning was issued of an eruption on 13th September and 40 people and livestock were evacuated
• A further 1000 people were evacuated after the eruption began on the 19th September
• 5600 more people were evacuated over the next few weeks
• The alert level was raised to red
• Air traffic was briefly suspended
• Constant monitoring of lava flow and gas emissions to ensure the safety of the population
• Food and shelter were provided for those made homeless
• A €5.4 million advanced payment donated by the EU

Long-term response

• Spain promised €400 million to La Palma for rebuilding
• Prefabricated housing was built for those made homeless but six months on, many people were still living in hotels and with family and friends
• Constant monitoring of the volcano and others on La Palma
• Improved crisis management processes are now in place for future eruptions

Strategies to reduce the impact of eruptions in La Palma

Spec point — "One detailed specific example to include: • the causes and impacts of an eruption of a named volcano • the responses to the volcanic eruption • the strategies and techniques used to manage the impacts of volcanic eruptions"

Strategies to reduce the impact of eruptions in La Palma

• The local government in La Palma is focusing on several strategies to reduce the impacts of any future eruptions, including:

  • more accurate risk mapping to understand which areas are most vulnerable

• Strategies to reduce disruptions to the water and power supply include exploring the possibility of geothermal energy production

• Installation of over 1,300 air quality and gas monitoring sensors; these aim to:

  • reduce people's exposure to low air quality during future eruptions
  • ensure that people know when the level of gases is safe and when they need to evacuate

• Public announcement and phone alert systems improved

• Improved monitoring and prediction of eruptions