What happens if La Palma volcano reaches the sea?

As the lava boils away the seawater, more of its surface is exposed to the water, which transfers heat more quickly, the U.S Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Watch says. Steam is then produced at a more rapid rate. The clouds created can be lethal as they often contain small glass fragments.



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As the lava boils away the seawater, more of its surface is exposed to the water, which transfers heat more quickly, the U.S Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Watch says. Steam is then produced at a more rapid rate. The clouds created can be lethal as they often contain small glass fragments.

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The report claimed that “during a future eruption” the volcano “may experience a catastrophic flank collapse”. The paper suggested that this could create waves capable of transiting “the entire Atlantic Basin and arrive on the coasts of the Americas with 10-25 m (3-8 m) height”.

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Lava is between 100,000 and 1.1 million times more viscous than that of water, based on temperature and silica content. It also is three times more dense than water, Live Science reports. That means falling into a pit of lava is like falling into a pool filled with peanut butter - you'd float on top.

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