Volcano erupts on Spain's Canary IslandsAn eruption September 19, 2021 was the first the Cumbre Vieja volcano has erupted in 50 yearsLA PALMA (SPAIN) - The Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on Spain's Canary Islands Sunday, spewing out lava, ash and a huge column of smoke after days of increased seismic activity and forcing the evacuation of around 5,000 local people, authorities said. Cumbre Vieja, which last erupted 50 years ago, straddles a ridge in the south of La Palma island, home to around 80,000 people. "Given the situation (on) La Palma island, the head of government has delayed his scheduled departure today for New York," to attend the UN General Assembly, a statement said earlier. The Canaries, an archipelago of seven islands off northwestern Africa, last recorded a volcanic eruption in 2011, undersea off El Hierro island. Cumbre Vieja erupted twice in the 20th century -- in 1971 and in 1949.

Source: Bangkok Post September 19, 2021 23:03 UTC