The eruption of El Hierro increases the sea temperature to 30.9 degrees Celsius

EUROPA PRESS, S / C Tenerife (11.15.2011. 10:09 pm)

Scientists at the Institute of Technology and Renewable Energies (ITER), an agency of the Cabildo of Tenerife and now form part of volcanological Institute of the Canaries (Involcan) have informed the management of the Civil Protection Special Plan for Volcanic Risk Canary Islands (Pevolca) on the temperature evolution reflected from the surface manifestation (bubble zone) of the submarine eruption of El Hierro. Higher temperatures reflected in sea surface were recorded on 6, 7 and 8 November, reaching values ​​of 30.9 ° C, 24.8 º C and 29.7 ° C.

The difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures in the maritime environment reflected surface south of La Restinga using thermal imaging cameras in mobile air position was 1.5 ° C to 9.1 º C during the period from October 19 to November 12.

In this timeframe the highest values ​​recorded between maximum and minimum temperatures of 8.3 ° C reflected, 6.8 º C and 9.1 º C were observed on days 6, 7 and 8 November.

These anomalies were recorded prior to the intense bubbling registered on November 8, bringing water, gas and ash that reached suspended several meters above the water surface.

These temperature differences in the surface environment of the Sea of Calms clearly show a significant heat flow as a result of submarine eruption and allows us to make estimates of the volume of magma required to produce these temperature anomalies in the surface environment of the sea.

The record of this series was made possible by the support and collaboration of the Helicopter Service of the Guardia Civil, in the framework of a cooperation agreement between the Involcan and the airline industry in the Canary Islands Civil Guard to strengthen the geophysical program (thermometry and thermography) that provides Involcan for volcano monitoring in the Canary Islands and Makavol project 'Strengthening of R & D + i + d to contribute to the reduction of volcanic risk in the Macaronesia (MAC/3/C161 ) 'which is being funded by the transnational Cooperation Programme of the European Union Madeira-Canary-Azores (MAC 2007-2013).

Involcan is an institution demanded unanimously by the Senate (2005), Parliament of the Canary Islands (2006) and House of Representatives (2009) with the aim of contributing to improving and optimizing the management of volcanic risk in Spain.