The volcano increases the emission of CO2 in El Hierro

IRIN, Valverde (11.12.2011. 10:45 am)

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 made since last July more than 7500 measures dioxide diffuse flow (CO2) in El Hierro through numerous scientific surveys on volcanic gases diffuse emissions that have materialized over the entire surface of the island.

To date, the results reflect the record of an upward trend of the diffuse emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere by the volcano of El Hierro has reached 1481 / - 37 tonnes per day, an amount equivalent to 4 , 35 times the normal average value considered for the diffuse emission of CO2 in the island.

The purpose of these scientific surveys to assess spatio-temporal variations of the diffuse emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by the volcanic system of El Hierro during the recent earthquake-volcanic crisis.

These scientific surveys have failed to materialize due to Makavol project 'Strengthening the capacity of ID id to help reduce volcanic risk in the Macaronesia (MAC/3/C161)', which is being co-funded by the transnational cooperation European Union Madeira-Canary-Azores (MAC 2007-2013) and the collaboration of the Cabildo of Tenerife and El Hierro.

The reasons for realizing this type of scientific stem from the inability to obtain such information through permanent instrumental networks, to be absolutely convinced that the gases are the driving force of volcanic eruptions and the importance of carbon dioxide in programs for volcanic surveillance, since it is the second major component of volcanic gases after water vapor and its low solubility in molten silicitados - magma - causing carbon dioxide to escape with their ease of volcanic systems in depth.

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.