Snow is not the reason for La Palma turning white which lingers in the air and on the cobblestone streets reminding us that in Europe there are also unique and fun ways to celebrate carnival Brazil has the most famous carnival in the world but an excellent option is the island of Palma in Spain where the carnival extends for almost two weeks I lived on the island during the carnival of 2023, a moment that signified the restarting of these celebrations after the pandemic and the eruption of the volcano that stained part of the island with tragedy and ashes who prepare every year to receive thousands of tourists during the carnival days which are usually crowded with tourists from cruise ships multiply the pedestrians who go to forget the cold of winter and enjoy days of festivities without watching the clock This is the biggest high season of the island which means a lot for a town that lives on tourism In La Palma it is impossible to celebrate only Monday and Tuesday of carnival (on 3rd and 4th March this year) But there are definitely some days that stand out from others — even making people forget to sleep While some only celebrate in parades and concerts others prepare for Holy Week with religious walks such as the procession of the virgin from one of the highest points of the capital This pilgrimage marks on the calendar the last days of parties before calmer times 40 days later One of the most fun days is the Friday before the carnival weekend The party with DJs in different parts of Santa Cruz starts early in the afternoon and ends the next day with concerts on a big stage on Maritima Avenue Although you can wear any conventional wig the boldest attendees make the most eccentric original and wild wigs that look like an end-of-the-year school project (it probably takes them an entire year to create these works of art) because the party is not reserved only for Santa Cruz de la Palma wigs are transformed into full costumes and people throw colorful talcum powder at each other turning the town into an eternal colorful party You won’t find a more original way to celebrate carnival in the world This is the peak day for tourism on the island make a note of the day: it is always celebrated on Carnival Monday and extends until Tuesday morning The tradition pays homage to the island’s Spanish migrants who returned from Cuba, and other places like Venezuela, flaunting the riches obtained in the new world. To relive the moment, everyone dresses in white from head to toe in period costumes, while dancing salsa in the streets One of the funniest attractions is the white talcum powder No one escapes the talcum powder shower that starts early in the morning with Los Indianos parade and doesn’t stop all day After the party you will need a deep bath to remove the talc from your scalp so be prepared to walk if you want to see it all The streets are closed and crowded with people along with stands selling sugar cane juice and mojitos It is closed to avoid damage and environmental problems If you think the party ends on Shrove Tuesday Although they are not such big celebrations you can enjoy other parades the following days One quite unique parade features the sardine as the main character Bands from all over the island accompany a sardine-shaped carriage that because people don’t only dance on the island Carnival is not always an important celebration in many cultures but after spending some time on the island you will not want to stop celebrating it every year Photos: Edgary Rodriguez R. and Toni Rivera Mohamad Roshan is a journalist living in Iran Natalia Antonova is a DC-based writer and editor Nikola Mikovic is a Serbian freelance journalist whose work has ... Carolina is a journalist and a university professor. She has more th... Senior Film Writer Mark Farnsworth teaches Film in East London an... Edgary Rodríguez R. is a Venezuelan writer, journalist and video producer. Nasser Ali Khasawneh graduated in law from Oxford University, and hol... Philippa Willitts is Editor in Chief of Global Comment. She is a British ... Global Comment is independently owned and operated and could use your help We consistently bring you perspectives from around the world that you don't get anywhere else and we want to be able to continue supporting the work of the excellent writers you see here Don't miss our latest interviews with sharp readers and thinkers on issues that matter to you Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Soundcloud Nikola Mikovic is a Serbian freelance journalist whose work has been published around the world and political developments in the Balkans.Previously Nikola was a reporter at the Politika daily newspaper the oldest such newspaper still in circulation in the Balkans Carolina is a journalist and a university professor She has more than a decade working for both print and audiovisual media Her main goal as a Venezuelan journalist is to tell interesting and inspiring stories Philippa Willitts is Editor in Chief of Global Comment. She is a British freelance writer who specialises in writing about disability She also enjoys covering politics and LGBTQI-related topics She can be found on Twitter and Instagram @PhilippaWrites Senior Film Writer Mark Farnsworth teaches Film in East London and is currently working on two screenplays, The Mysteries and Fair Access. He also writes the Oh/Cult section for Brokenshark.co.uk Nasser Ali Khasawneh graduated in law from Oxford University and holds a Masters in Law (LL.M) degree from University College at the University of London Facebook X (formerly Twitter) Instagram TikTok Please consider a one-time donation in any amount you choose You'll get special content straight to your inbox that no one else gets to see: outtakes from interviews We appreciate all the help and support from the readers who have kept us going since 2001 La Palma is home to dramatic volcanic landscapes and some of the darkest skies on Earth La Palma offers breathtaking views of the Milky Way STARMUS La Palma 2025 is set to be a stellar celebration of science with some of the greatest minds on Earth and I can’t wait I'll be packing my bags and heading to a beautiful island just off the coast of northwestern Africa shaped by volcanic activity and dense extensive beaches and towering waterfalls are a huge draw for many tourists I'm in search of something a little more .. This April, the island of La Palma — affectionately known as "Isla Bonita" (beautiful island) — will transform into a beacon for space lovers, scientists and stargazers alike as it hosts STARMUS La Palma 2025 the cosmos and the art of discovery under some of the darkest skies in the world the largest single-aperture optical and infrared telescope in the world The 2025 edition of STARMUS includes more than 45 speakers including Nobel Laureate Kip Thorne as well as iconic zoologist and primatologist Dame Jane Goodall STARMUS isn't all about lectures — it's an immersive celebration of science and the night sky There will be several events taking place across the island with STARMUS Camps in Santa Cruz de La Palma and Los Llanos de Aridane bringing science and wonder to the streets of La Palma These camps are a great way for the public to experience hands on exhibits this year's festival also carries a deeper mission La Palma was stuck by a volcanic eruption that displaced thousands of people and reshaped parts of the island STARMUS La Palma 2025 is dedicated to supporting the island's ongoing recovery toward once again being a top tourist destination for night sky enthusiasts due to its pristine dark skies It offers this support through its ability to revitalize local economies and create spaces for community engagement Evenings at STARMUS will echo with music under the stars including the Sonic Universe concert on April 26 in Puerto de Tazacorte as well as classical concerts in Santa Cruz de La Palma on April 25 and April 27 Founded by astrophysicist Garik Israelian and Sir Brian May Queen's guitarist and fellow astrophysicist STARMUS remains a powerful intersection of art And it's only enhanced by the fact that this year's special edition offers not only a journey through the cosmos — but also a heartfelt tribute to the spirit and strength of La Palma Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com. Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Astrophotographer captures the moon and Jupiter suspended above one of Europe's oldest lakes (photo) Look up! How to see the Eta Aquarid meteor shower 2025 peak overnight on May 5-6 10 must-have 'Star Wars' books and novels coming soon to your galaxy HomeDestinationsInterestsTop Places to Travel by MonthSearchMenuBest time to go to Canary Islands Witness one of the most exciting and popular fiestas of the Santa Cruz de La Palma Carnival Save Visited Rate Review SharePreviousNextSee all J Perez – Look Me Luck{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://rove.me/to/canary-islands/los-indianos#cover","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"J offering a vibrant glimpse into the island’s cultural heritage Held annually on this picturesque north-western island the event draws thousands of visitors eager to partake in its distinctive festivities Central to the celebration is the tradition of dressing in elegant all-white costumes and engaging in a joyous talcum powder fight that transforms the streets into a dazzling white spectacle Known affectionately as the "Big White Party," this visually stunning event has become one of the most popular and cherished highlights of La Palma’s cultural calendar The origins of the Los Indianos Carnival date back to the early 19th century inspired by the migration of Canary Islanders to Latin America often referred to as "Indianos," brought back wealth The event became a playful reenactment of their triumphant return complete with costumes and displays of prosperity The tradition evolved into a carnival celebration blending satire and nostalgia to honor this cultural exchange The White Party is a really big deal for locals so they put a ton of energy into preparing of the carnival the locals traditionally welcome the Indians with mojitos head to Avenida de Los Indianos street and then follow the crowd up to Alameda Square the whole historic center will be jam-packed with people doubling the local population by more than twice The connection between Los Indianos and Cuba is deeply rooted in history Many Canarian emigrants who sought better opportunities overseas found a new life in Cuba The carnival pays homage to this historical bond with its white outfits symbolizing the attire of wealthy returnees from the Caribbean and elements of Cuban culture permeate the celebration reflecting the shared heritage and cultural influences between the two regions Los Indianos is a centerpiece of the broader Santa Cruz de La Palma Carnival a week-long festival brimming with diverse events Highlights include the "Entierro de la Sardina" (Burial of the Sardine) a satirical procession marking the end of the festivities and concerts showcasing traditional Canarian music These events make the carnival a multifaceted celebration of history Introducing the all-new Astronomy.com Forum! Become a part of our Community!  >> Visit Now STARMUS is thrilled to announce the first round of artists and the program structure for the highly anticipated STARMUS La Palma festival This year’s lineup features an extraordinary array of luminaries including renowned ethologist Jane Goodall -founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace- legendary musician and STARMUS co-founder Brian May and an incredible cast of world-class renowned scientists and experts in AI and cybersecurity The festival will also host a multidisciplinary scientific program focused on the protection of the sky addressing critical issues such as pollution and space debris with the Starlight Foundation as the responsible body—this edition will be a key platform to generate greater visibility and awareness on this issue with this great representation of this remarkable edition which marks the “return home” to the place that inspired the creation of what is now recognized as the world’s most inspiring festival of science STARMUS announced the first confirmed artists of the musical lineup and the final program structure of this very special edition This spectacular lineup of artists will be preceded by unprecedented opening acts that embody the essence of STARMUS La Palma with space-inspired and distinctly Canarian rhythms: which will start energizing the Puerto de Tazacorte from the early evening will feature a group of bands acclaimed at festivals across Spain These bands will offer a fantastic fusion of pop STARMUS La Palma is excited to present the ‘Classical Night Series’ concerts taking place in Santa Cruz de La Palma on April 25 and April 27 The lineup features an array of distinguished artists STARMUS La Palma will feature two STARMUS Camps: one in Santa Cruz and another in Los Llanos de Aridane Both camps will offer a full 4-day program of activities in the Expo Zones and Stage Zones Both STARMUS Camps will gather an impressive lineup of exhibitors including the Starlight Foundation; the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC); the Jane Goodall Institute with its program “Roots & Shoots,”; ITER the pioneering international nuclear fusion research and engineering megaproject or CTAO -Cherenkov Telescope Array  Observatory- the future largest and most powerful gamma-ray observatory in the world The lineup of speakers ranges from keynote lecturers to popular science communicators like Mar Gómez (eltiempo.es) Space Trainer and Olympic Athlete Guillermo Rojo as well as presentations from some of the most anticipated speakers in the keynote lectures The daily evening music program will feature local DJs and indie-pop bands as the opening acts for the ‘Sonic Universe’ concert – Shidow Terco – and other local groups like Macaca Radiata the camps will feature two very special days meant to inspire the youngest generations with the “INTERSCHOLAR by STARMUS” project This initiative will be carried out across schools for students in 5th and 6th grade of primary school and secondary school who will have the opportunity to learn from and meet inspiring ambassadors such as Javier Santaolalla and the Jane Goodall Institute through their Roots & Shoots program These special days will take place in the mornings of April 25 and April 28 Keynote Lectures Program: The keynote lectures will take place in Puerto Naos on the following dates and times (tentative): Attendees can look forward to a series of thought-provoking and inspiring talks with the protection of the skies as the main topic but spanning a wide range of disciplines and topics with world eminences from all over the globe *Check the full list of speakers here In addition to the many events during the festival STARMUS La Palma will also feature an educational initiative in the preceding months which will end up bringing students from all over the Canaries to the festival: The full schedule of events and activities will be unveiled in the coming weeks on the STARMUS website – www.starmus.com -and social media channels For further details on each of the events being unveiled and summarized updates and special offers via email from Astronomy.com Astronomy leads the astronomy hobby as the most popular magazine of its kind in the world Count me in Subscribers can access their digital magazine issues and registered users can participate in our Community forums and galleries ShareSaveCommentBusinessHollywood & EntertainmentIs ‘La Palma’ On Netflix Based On A True Story? What’s Real Vs. FakeByMonica Mercuri Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Monica is an entertainment reporter covering TV Netflix’s new disaster series La Palma is currently the No 1 show on the streaming platform in the U.S you might find yourself wondering if La Palma is based on a true story and whether the highly active and dangerous Cumbre Vieja volcano actually exists The four-episode limited series is set on the island of La Palma and follows a young scientist and a family of four as they face a volcanic eruption with the potential to trigger a global catastrophe Despite warning signs—including a deadly boat accident and a series of earthquakes—geologists Marie and Haukur uncover evidence that an imminent eruption could cause devastation far beyond the island to take their findings seriously before it’s too late La Palma is a real place—one of Spain’s Canary Islands This Spanish territory is home to the Cumbre Vieja the most active volcanic ridge in the Canary Islands SPAIN - 2021/10/05: Volcano of Cumbre Vieja in the Canary Island of La Palma .. More continues with his activity erupting lava after more than two weeks (Photo by Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty Images) no injuries or deaths were directly attributed to the eruption the Cumbre Vieja last erupted in 1971 and 1949 the majority of scientists agree that such a catastrophic event is highly unlikely The hypothesis suggests that during a major volcanic eruption a large portion of the western flank of Cumbre Vieja could collapse into the Atlantic Ocean This landslide could generate a mega-tsunami potentially affecting the eastern coasts of North America wrote in a study the following year: "The threat of mega tsunami generation from collapses of oceanic island stratovolcanoes has been greatly overstated Smoke rises from cooling lava after the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on the Canary Island of La .. - A new fissure has emerged in the erupting volcano on Spain's Canary Islands belching out more lava and forcing another 500 people to flee as experts closely watched its progress towards the sea (Photo by JOSE MARIA MONTESDEOCA / AFP) (Photo by JOSE MARIA MONTESDEOCA/AFP via Getty Images) The Netflix series La Palma was filmed on location in the real-life La Palma Known as the "Isla Bonita," La Palma is a popular destination for nature lovers and gorgeous beaches that attract tourists from around the world In addition to La Palma, some scenes were filmed on the nearby island of Tenerife, according to The Direct Tenerife is the most visited island in the Canary Islands archipelago attracting over five million tourists annually SPAIN - 2022/02/03: View of the Cumbre Vieja volcano still emitting sulfur gases More areas are still affected by volcanic lava and ashes caused by the eruption of the volcano which lasted more than three months causing damages in residential buildings The series also features the interior of the luxury resort Isla Bonita and the H10 Taburiente Playa which serves as the backdrop for many exterior shots while La Palma Airport also plays a key role as a hub for visitors and emergency crews arriving and departing the island The show was co-written by Gudmestad and Rosenløw Eeg and stars Anders Baasmo Christiansen the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted for a total of 85 days — the longest eruption ever recorded on La Palma island This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page © 2025 EmCan Media - Hosted By canaryfone The capital of La Palma has once again been blanketed in white today (Monday) as the island celebrated its iconic Los Indianos festival brings thousands of people to the streets to commemorate the return of Canarians who had emigrated to Cuba The celebration transforms the Plaza de España into a scene reminiscent of Havana and participants dressed in traditional white linen garments One of the festival's most beloved figures portrayed each year by Víctor Lorenzo Díaz Molina marking the official start of the festivities The tradition sees La Negra Tomasa arrive at the port of Santa Cruz de La Palma where hundreds of eager onlookers await her She then makes her way to the Plaza de España The streets are filled with the sounds of guarachas and Cuban sones as revellers engage in the playful ritual of throwing talcum powder adding to the joyous and carefree atmosphere The tradition of Los Indianos takes place every Carnival Monday with Santa Cruz de La Palma transformed into a spectacle of white attire and talcum powder The event is a parody of the wealthy Canarian emigrants who made their fortune in America and returned to the island showing off their newfound wealth and elegance embodying the style of the high-society ‘Indianos’ poking fun at the ostentation of the returning emigrants Los Indianos is more than just a festival; it is a cultural homage to La Palma's migratory history and a vivid expression of the island’s identity it draws visitors from around the world who come to experience the unique blend of humour and community spirit that defines this remarkable event STARMUS and The Canary Islands proudly unveiled the line-up for the highly anticipated STARMUS La Palma festival The announcement was made during a special presentation led by STARMUS co-founder and Director featuring the President of the Cabildo de La Palma with the Starlight Foundation as the responsible body—this edition will be a key drive to generate greater visibility and awareness on this issue With this shared goal, in partnership with the Starlight Foundation the festival will bring together an extraordinary array of luminaries UN Messenger of Peace and STARMUS Advisory Board STARMUS co-founder and legendary musician Brian May and a host of other world-class experts in science The STARMUS La Palma festival will feature a remarkable roster of speakers including Nobel Laureates like John Mather Steven Chu or Donna Strickland; famous astronauts such as Col first female private space explorer and entrepreneur Anousheh Ansari or ESA astronaut reserve Sara García; popular scientists and communicators like Jim Bell who is also a collaborator of Starmus; world-renowned inventors and entrepreneurs like Tony Fadell the inventor of the iPod and co-creator of the iPhone; environmental experts like Maureen Raymo and Chris Rapley; and scientific luminaries such as Rafael Yuste the leading representatives of the prestigious IAC This impressive gathering will lead a spectacular multidisciplinary scientific program with its main focus on the protection of the sky serving as a crucial call to action against threats such as pollution and space junk the discussions in La Palma will be pivotal in shaping our approach to safeguarding the skies for future generations In addition to becoming the epicentre of science and the future of sky protection this edition in La Palma also has a very special goal: to support the recovery of the island after the disaster caused by the major volcanic eruption in 2021 This edition of STARMUS will be 100% open and free to the public. While keynote lectures will require accreditation due to limited venue capacity, they will be live streamed at the STARMUS CAMPS. Most keynote speakers will also deliver special talks at the Camps. Pre-registration for those wishing to attend the keynote lectures program is now open on the STARMUS website (please visit www.starmus.com) shared his thoughts: “La Palma is the birthplace of STARMUS We are thrilled to bring the festival back to this island which is not only a natural paradise but also a beacon of scientific and technological innovation hosting numerous significant milestones and facilities like the world’s largest optical-infrared telescope offering unparalleled opportunities for research and discovery.” “With its unique volcanic and Atlantic landscape will definitively be positioned as the Island of the Stars becoming an awareness hub of sky protection and aiming to create the most inspiring call to action about it.” stated that “The Starmus Festival positions our island as a global reference in the scientific and cultural fields with its privileged sky and rich astronomical history and it is the perfect setting for a festival of this magnitude Starmus is not just a gathering of scientists and astronauts; it is a bridge that connects knowledge with art It is a unique opportunity to inspire new generations and spark scientific vocations.” We demonstrate to the world that La Palma is an island looking to the future and aiming to be a driving force for development in the Canary Islands and Spain.” conveyed to the organisation that “It is an honour and also a great responsibility to be part of organizing a festival of this magnitude which will bring so many renowned international scientists and artists to La Palma an island that has seen the birth of the most significant initiatives in defence of the sky This festival will help us promote the environmental and scientific values associated with the protection of our skies and raise awareness in society about the urgent need to protect this resource for present and future generations The music line-up and the full program for STARMUS La Palma will be unveiled in January 2025 This announcement promises to reveal the spectacular array of performances and events adding to the excitement and anticipation surrounding this extraordinary festival In addition to sharing the incredible line-up for its upcoming edition STARMUS is thrilled to announce the addition of two remarkable members to its prestigious Advisory Board: Nobel Laureate Steven Chu and former Astronaut Chris Hadfield is renowned for his groundbreaking research in laser cooling and trapping of atoms which earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1997 celebrated for his command of the International Space Station and his contributions to space exploration is also known for his engaging educational outreach as a writer and public speaker Both figures will join an illustrious group of scientific and musical luminaries further enriching the STARMUS community with their expertise and passion the countdown begins for the Canarian archipelago in addition to being a highly valued tourist destination worldwide will transform into a global hub for science and innovation with the celebration of STARMUS La Palma This edition is generating immense excitement as it returns to its roots in the Canary Islands after traveling to countries like Norway This remarkable event promises to elevate La Palma’s status on the world stage showcasing its unique blend of natural beauty and scientific excellence Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article Manolo Blahnik (born November 27, 1942, Santa Cruz de la Palma, Canary Islands, Spain) is a Spanish fashion designer best known for his signature line of high-end women’s footwear and gained the attention of the fashion elite whose shoe-obsessed fictional character Carrie Bradshaw transformed the brand into a household name Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries visits to historic towns and more: here’s what you’ll want to do on the enchanting Canary Islands Isabella is one of the writers on the new Canary Islands guidebook After spending weeks of research on the road she shares the top experiences for your next trip Anyone who loves the Canaries can attest that the most challenging (and exciting) part of visiting these bewitching volcanic islands is where to start Indeed, it’s this astounding variety – of landscapes, cultures, activities – that makes the beloved Atlantic archipelago such a thrill to discover. Beach lovers will of course be particularly drawn to the Canaries – yet many of the islands are also great bases for adventurous types, perhaps a surprise for first-time visitors. Of Spain’s 16 national parks while a network of other nature reserves protects everything from coastal cliffs to age-old laurisilva (laurel forests).  Keep in mind that each island lends itself to distinct experiences. The three smaller western Canaries, for example, are top spots for hiking, while the three easternmost islands have the loveliest sandy beaches. Tenerife genuinely brings a bit of everything.  Here’s our roundup of the many top experiences you can look forward to on the Canary Islands.  Whether glimpsed when dusted with snow in winter or surrounded by spring blooms El Teide is an unmissable Canarian experience and hiking to its sky-high summit is a temptation few walkers can resist.  The UNESCO-listed national park is understandably popular (almost 4.6 million people visited in 2023) – and it’s also strictly protected A cable car zips up El Teide’s southern flank to viewing platforms at 3555m (11,663ft) but since there are tight regulations for hiking onwards to the peak Visit first thing or in the late afternoon to sidestep some of the national park’s crowds we recommend taking advantage of the many other trails weaving across the lunar landscape Detour: Tenerife has plenty of other spectacular hiking paths, especially around the Parque Rural de Anaga and the Parque Rural de Teno.  perched 2396m (7861ft) at the top of the island.  Planning tip: The Parque Nacional del Teide in Tenerife is another great spot for enriching stargazing experiences.  where Manrique lived in his final years.  Planning tip: If the master’s residences pique your interest in his work, Manrique left works all over the Canaries, including the soaring Mirador de la Peña in El Hierro and the Parque Marítimo César Manrique pool complex in Santa Cruz de Tenerife which was founded by a marine biologist.  Southern Gran Canaria is another beach hotspot, especially Maspalomas whose rolling dunes make up a protected 400-hectare (162-acre) nature reserve opening onto a 3km-long (2-mile-long) swath of honey-colored Follow marked paths through the dunes to discover palm-studded oases ospreys and other birds at La Charca lagoon.  Check online for current shows; the space itself – with its light-flooded library – is worth visiting at any time.  Santa Cruz also has the archipelago’s liveliest street-art scene with particularly vibrant works adorning the Puente Serrador near the TEA and old-town streets like Calle Castillo and Calle Pi y Margall.  The Canary Islands escaped the 19th-century phylloxera that swept through other European vineyards Atlantic-influenced wines here are largely produced from grape varieties that are both local and ancient Vines were first planted in Tenerife back in the 15th century – and today the island rivals Lanzarote as the archipelago’s top wine-making island El Hierro has started making a name for itself on Spain’s wine map during which you’ll learn all about the unique growing techniques adapted to the extreme landscapes These include the cordón trenzado (plaited cord) in mountainous northern Tenerife and Lanzarote’s famous circular vines planted in volcanic-ash pits.  Planning tip: While many large-scale wineries have drop-in tours and tasting sessions, it’s always best to book ahead for smaller vineyards. Wine Tours Lanzarote and Tenerife Wine Experience run superb bodega-hopping tours.   (Climb the towers for knockout views.)  Then there’s the blossoming food scene, packed with innovative flavors and local produce, anywhere from plaza-view tapas bars to Michelin Green Star kitchen Muxgo. Playa de las Canteras is up there with Spain’s loveliest urban beaches lagoon-like waters and a buzzy promenade.  If you only have time for one thing in low-key La Gomera, head straight to the ethereal national park that crowns the island. The 40-sq-km (15.5-sq-mile), UNESCO-listed Parque Nacional de Garajonay protects around half of the Canaries’s ancient laurisilva whether you choose to tackle a short but wonderfully scenic walk to the Alto de Garajonay (the island’s highest point at 1484m / 4869ft) or descend through verdant canyons to colorful villages like Hermigua.  Just outside the national park’s southern boundary, Casa Efigenia is one of the best places in the Canary Islands to sample traditional cuisine.   Planning tip: While it’s perfectly possible to visit La Gomera on a day trip from Los Cristianos in Tenerife (the ferry across takes 50 minutes) this charmingly slow-going island rewards longer stays Detour: Further west, Santa Cruz de la Palma (La Palma’s laid-back capital) also counts among the Canaries’ most beautiful and architecture-rich cities bursting with flower-filled wooden balconies and cobbled squares.  The smallest, westernmost and least-visited of the seven main Canary Islands combines rural charm, an offbeat bohemian energy and an entrancing lava-shaped landscape. All of which makes El Hierro one of the most rewarding places for quiet hikes anywhere in the Canaries Even better: most of its trails can be walked within a day.  The best way to soak it all up is by tackling the 27km-long (17-mile-long) Camino de la Virgen (or at least part of it): the trail tracks across the entire island from the windswept La Dehesa region to the capital Valverde via eerie cloud forests The trail (allow eight hours) follows the route of El Hierro’s most-loved fiesta which has been held every five years since the mid 18th century.  Planning tip: The best months for hiking in El Hierro are October to December and March to May.  Sometimes called the “Hawaii of Europe,” the Canary Islands rank among the continent’s top spots for surfing. Easily the most-loved surf destinations are El Cotillo and Corralejo in northern Fuerteventura, Famara in northern Lanzarote and Playa de las Américas in southern Tenerife Kitesurfing and windsurfing are big on all three islands and even La Palma is becoming popular for water sports.  Many of the famous surf hubs in the Canaries are best suited to those with some experience but there are also plenty of beginner-friendly courses and camps (often with accommodation included) Local surfers recommend winter (November to March) as the best season to ride the waves.  try kayaking and paddle boarding along the craggy coast on any island.   A series of important archaeological sites scattered across the islands sheds light on the cultures of their Indigenous pre-conquest communities. For many experts, Gran Canaria’s Cueva Pintada colorful geometric paintings that decorate the cave’s walls It is believed that these complex shapes crafted from natural dyes could possibly be connected to lunar and solar calendars of some kind Much more off the beaten track are the superbly preserved petroglyphs etched into lava flows by the Bimbaches at remote El Julan which can only be reached by pre-booked guided hike or 4WD tour.  Since the islands’ remote location made self-sufficiency essential a wave of modern-day artisans are sharing their skills with anyone keen to learn the secrets behind the archipelago’s most curious traditions from pottery-making to embroidery to basketry.  In Lanzarote, you can pick up original Canaries-inspired ceramics and meet their makers in the tiny northern village of Teseguite, or join a ceramics-making class at Tinajo-based Timijota Studio, which also has a second outpost in Tenerife. Over in La Gomera, discover how Canarian palm-leaf baskets are crafted with Gomera Corazón Verde.  The whole place revolves around a miles-wide caldera you can ogle at both from lofty lookout points and out on the trails.  Routes around the park range from short scenic loops to strenuous full-day hikes taking in the Roque de los Muchachos. Our favorite time to hit the hiking trails is spring the tiniest of the Canaries only became the official eighth island in 2018 So it is no surprise that secluded Isla Graciosa is still one of the archipelago’s most magical places for refreshingly go-slow beach escapes The entire island is part of the Chinijo Archipelago and sits within a wider nature reserve Simply catching the half-hour ferry across from Órzola in Lanzarote (the only way to get here) is a thrill with views of Lanzarote’s cascading 600m-high (1969ft-high) Famara cliffs dazzling as the journey trundles on A day trip to Isla Graciosa is best enjoyed by hiking or cycling out from the sandy-floored “capital” of Caleta de Sebo to untouched golden beaches backed by stark volcanic cones We love peaceful Playa de La Francesa (with great snorkeling) and wild Playas de Las Conchas (where swimming isn’t advised) the Canary Islands burst with fabulous beaches Yet some of the region’s most memorable attractions are its glittery natural pools these rocky visions of turquoise and cobalt were created largely by past eruptions and now fill up with water from the swirling Atlantic Ocean according to the tides Some feel almost like calm little lagoons; others have been lightly developed as sprawling swimming pools where you’ll often be joining a local crowd doing laps.   Punta Mujeres in Lanzarote, La Maceta in El Hierro and anywhere along Gran Canaria’s north coast are all blissful places to jump in.  Planning tip: Always check the tides before heading to a natural pool as it can be dangerous to swim at high tide.    Most Canarian towns have a weekly fresh-produce market which is as much a lively local event as a place to stock up on ingredients Stalls are typically crammed with goodies sourced from the immediate region often from small-scale producers on the island itself Drop in to soak up the atmosphere and pick up beloved Canarian ingredients like palm honey almogrote and locally grown bananas.  In the bigger cities, you’ll find fun permanent markets open most days. Don’t miss Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s wonderful, 1940s Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África with whimsical Moorish-inspired architecture Planning tip: They say the Canary Islands consume more cheese per person each year than anywhere else in Spain. You can meet cheese-makers on visits to queserías like Montesdeoca in Tenerife and La Casa del Queso Cabrera Pérez in Fuerteventura Planning tip: Most experts rank October as the best month for diving in the Canary Islands. InsigniaInsigniaInsigniaInsigniaInsignia37 Nights 37 Nights  World CruiseWorld CruiseLeaving from: Miami →+24 ports 2027Oceania CruisesMarella Voyager3 Nights 3 Nights  Europe - Western MediterraneanElectric Sunsets 90's Vs 00's CruiseLeaving from: La Palma →+3 ports 2025Marella CruisesMSC MusicaMSC MusicaMSC MusicaMSC MusicaMSC Musica7 Nights 7 Nights  AfricaAfrica CruiseLeaving from: Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) →+6 ports 7 Nights  Canary IslandsCanary Islands CruiseLeaving from: Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) →+6 ports Norwegian SunNorwegian SunNorwegian SunNorwegian SunNorwegian Sun22 Nights 22 Nights  AfricaAfrica-south AfricaLeaving from: Cape Town →+11 ports 2026Norwegian Cruise LineNieuw StatendamNieuw Statendam14 Nights 14 Nights  Europe - British Isles & WesternCanary Island Enchantment With PortugalLeaving from: Dover →+8 ports 2026Holland America LineMSC MusicaMSC MusicaMSC MusicaMSC MusicaMSC Musica7 Nights 7 Nights  AfricaAfrica CruiseLeaving from: Tenerife →+6 ports 7 Nights  Europe - Western MediterraneanTreasures Of The MediterraneanLeaving from: La Palma →+7 ports 2025(11)Marella CruisesSirenaSirenaSirenaSirenaSirena12 Nights 12 Nights  Europe - AllEurope CruiseLeaving from: Barcelona →+11 ports 7 Nights  Europe - Western MediterraneanCosmopolitan ClassicsLeaving from: La Palma →+7 ports 2025(9)Marella CruisesMarella Voyager7 Nights 7 Nights  Europe - Western MediterraneanMagic Of SpainLeaving from: La Palma →+7 ports 2025(3)Marella CruisesCruise Critic FavoriteMarella Discovery 28 Nights 8 Nights  Europe - Eastern MediterraneanAegean WondersLeaving from: Limassol →+8 ports 7 Nights  Canary IslandsCanary Islands CruiseLeaving from: Tenerife →+6 ports 7 Nights  Europe - Western MediterraneanAtlantic IslandsLeaving from: Tenerife →+7 ports 2026(7)Marella CruisesSeven Seas VoyagerSeven Seas VoyagerSeven Seas VoyagerSeven Seas Voyager10 Nights 10 Nights  Europe - Western MediterraneanMediterranean - Western CruiseLeaving from: Lisbon →+10 ports 2025Regent Seven Seas CruisesMarella Voyager7 Nights 7 Nights  Europe - Western MediterraneanA New Year's DreamLeaving from: Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) →+6 ports The port is filled with cute cobbled streets and a scattering of cafes Traffic can be busy around the immediate port area There's beauty to be found in port and further out for those looking to explore the island's volcanic terrain The port is unpretentious and uncommercialized which is a nice way of saying there's no reason to hang around Traffic is busy as you walk into Santa Cruz from the port gates; you need to cross several junctions On Foot: Most ships offer free shuttle buses from the small cruise terminal to the main port gates; from there it is a five-minute stroll into town.By Bus: Buses operate around the island from Avenida de Bajamar you can buy a return ticket to the nearest beach By Taxi: Taxis are a good way to travel on the island A taxi from the port (just outside the terminal) to the beach costs around 20 euros one way -- this is more reliable than buses if you're on a tight schedule depending on your negotiation skills (establish the fare in advance) By Car: If your ship is in port for a long time you could consider hiring a car at Autos la Palma on Avenida Maritima It's not recommended on a short cruise call because the roads are winding See www.oanda.com or www.xe.com for conversion rates and many residents speak at least a smattering of English but it could be worth investing in a phrase book if you're heading off on your own You'll disembark at the port of Santa Cruz Other reviews are unduly negative - in my opinion 1fr));}@media screen and (min-width: 576px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(1 1fr));}}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(2 1fr));}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(3 1fr));}}@media screen and (min-width: 1284px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(4 the most north-westerly island of Spain’s Canary Islands is preparing to host the fourth edition of the KOS Xtreme Triathlon on May 31 The event is organized by Beyond Xtreme Limits (BXL) and supported by Breña Alta City Council and La Palma Island Council The event motto ‘from the ocean to the stars’ (Spanish: ‘desde el océano a hasta las estrellas’) highlights the route of the event where triathletes swim in the ocean and ride their bikes to the mountains and then run between telescopes at one of the world’s premier astronomical observatories The route combines 2km of swimming in the North Atlantic Ocean 42km of cycling with 2,500m of elevation gain and a final 10km run with an elevation gain of 490m KOS Xtreme Triathlon culminates at the Roque de Los Muchachos at 2426m above sea level next year’s event is part of of the Canary Islands Cup which adds an additional attraction for local and international competitors Race Director Rafael Matos Santos said “Throughout their lives endurance athletes push their bodies to the limit to prove to themselves that they are capable of achieving their goals “Very few athletes have gone from the ocean to the stars and crossed the finish line KOS Xtreme Triathlon exists because we love triathlon and we want you to be able to experience something different in a unique environment on the planet pushing your limits and adding one more achievement in your life.” Previous event editions have brought together athletes from different nationalities representing countries such as Spain La Palma Airport is served by regional airlines (Binter Canarias and CanarFly) and various international airlines with flights to and from Tenerife and Gran Canaria There is also a ferry service between the city of Santa Cruz de La Palma and the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria www.kosxtremetri.com 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- STARMUS La Palma has announced the first round of artists and the program structure for its festival This event will bring together an impressive lineup of musicians focusing on the protection of the sky from pollution and space debris The musical lineup includes the STARMUS All Stars a rock ensemble featuring legends like Glenn Hughes and Dino Jelusick; the Oscar and 15 Grammy award-winning composer and singer Jorge Drexler and the Spanish pop-rock band Efecto Pasillo The festival will also host a stellar panel of speakers including renowned ethologist Jane Goodall founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace and eight Nobel Laureates such as John Mather along with world-class experts in technology and AI and cybersecurity experts Bernhard Scholkopf and Chema Alonso The program structure includes several key components The 'Sonic Universe' concert on April 26 will feature performances by the STARMUS All Stars Opening acts will include the innovative Chilean Astro-Pop band FLANGR will showcase distinguished artists such as Montserrat Martí These performances will take place in Santa Cruz de La Palma and will feature a blend of operatic and classical music STARMUS La Palma will also introduce two STARMUS Camps located in Santa Cruz and Los Llanos de Aridane offering a full four-day program of activities The Expo Zone will host a variety of exhibitors the Jane Goodall Institute and ITER while the Stage Zone will feature lectures The Keynote lectures will be held in Puerto Naos on April 25 These lectures will cover a wide range of topics with a particular focus on the protection of the skies STARMUS La Palma will feature an educational initiative called "Interscholar by STARMUS," designed to inspire Canarian primary and secondary school students students will engage in activities and workshops led by ambassadors such as the great science communicator Javier Santaolalla This project aims to spark curiosity and deepen students' understanding of scientific concepts through a blend of music The entire festival will be free to attend and the full schedule of events will be unveiled on the STARMUS website in the coming weeks Media Contact details: Brezo Rodríguez, +34 678255196, brezo@starmus.com; press@starmus.com STARMUS La Palma: https://starmus.com/p/starmus-la-palma Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2609683/STARMUS_La_Palma_Program_Structure.jpgLogo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549419/5143094/STARMUS_La_Palma_Logo.jpg STARMUS Festival proudly announced the launch of the Stephen Hawking Medal Junior Category during the STARMUS x Earth To Space launch event last.. Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan was awarded the prestigious Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication at the seventh edition of the.. Entertainment Music Computer & Electronics Art Do not sell or share my personal information: The Aida Cosma cruise ship made a significant stopover yesterday (Monday) when it docked at the Port of Santa Cruz de La Palma marking a historic milestone as the largest vessel by tonnage ever to visit there brought with it an impressive complement of 5,809 passengers and 1,405 crew members Its next destination is Santa Cruz de Tenerife which it departed for at 10:00pm last night the Aida Cosma surpasses the previous record held by the Freedom of the Seas Gross tonnage is a measure of a ship's capacity encompassing the total volume of all its interior spaces The Aida Cosma’s arrival highlights Santa Cruz de La Palma’s growing capacity to accommodate larger and more modern ships enhancing its appeal as a destination for luxury cruises drawing thousands of visitors and boosting the local economy Adding to the bustling activity at the port This smaller vessel arrived with 128 passengers and 73 crew members on board further demonstrating the port's ability to handle multiple cruise liners simultaneously situated in La Palma in the Canary Islands started to spew hot lava and ash on 19 September 2021 the area of Cumbre Vieja and the villages of El Paso and Los Llanos de Aridane had to be evacuated the island had been on high alert after more than 22,000 tremors had been reported in the area Lava continues to flow in the aftermath of the island's first volcanic eruption in 20 years destroying hundreds of property and forcing the evacuation of over 5,500 people We bring you the story of the eruption and subsequent destruction in our special image gallery: More galleries from BBC Science Focus Magazine here: In a nod to the Canary Islands, Primark has launched a special sweatshirt dedicated to Santa Cruz de La Palma as part of its latest collection. The design, which features palm trees, waves, and a setting sun in soft blue and red tones, celebrates the charm of this insular capital. Even the city's mayor, Asier Antona, shared the design on social media, proudly asking: “What do you think about Primark releasing this sweatshirt about Santa Cruz de La Palma? It's amazing, we’re trending!” Primark, with four stores in the Canary Islands - two in Gran Canaria, one in Tenerife, and one in Lanzarote - where residents can purchase the sweater, a symbolic tribute to a city known for its natural beauty but often confused with other destinations in Gran Canaria (Las Palmas) and Mallorca (Palma). With 56 stores in Spain, Primark continues to increase its presence, showcasing cities from around the world in its fashion collections—and now, Santa Cruz de La Palma joins the ranks of Paris, London, and New York! The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers When you purchase through links on our site Here’s how to enjoy the best of the warm temperatures volcanic peaks and Atlantic shallows that the cluster of Canaries has to offer I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An archipelago of eight sun-drenched islands 100 miles off the north west shoulder of Africa make up the Canaries on the Atlantic Ocean Chiefly celebrated for year-round vitamin D and playas that rival the Balearics on these Spanish islands natural landscapes transcend even the bright lights of their coastal resorts the Canary Islands offer endless active pursuits beaches to bathe and cultural adventures to cement their popular position as the place to get away for Brits Whether tucking into elevated plates of tapas, hiking steep lava fields or doing some serious stargazing, the Canaries masterfully balance budget travel with Michelin-quality luxury for trips that are sure to surprise you From holiday hotspot Lanzarote to under-the-radar La Gomera, here’s where to find getaways on the Canary Islands, just a four-hour flight from the UK Read more: This Canary Island resort is a haven for active travellers – and surprisingly good for toddlers too Tenerife is sandwiched between the Sahara and the Atlantic, with tropical forest trails in Parque Nacional Las Cañadas del Teide, journeys into the arteries of a dormant volcano, Mount Teide and Europe’s first Whale Heritage Site All can be explored during four seasons of sun Though well-catered for budget-friendly package holidays, the Canary island disputes its sour rep as a cheap spot primed for British pubs and associated tomfoolery with its leafy canopy and wild west coast – both relatively untouched by tourism. It’s also the ideal spot to see the stars, with clear skies, clean air and high altitudes. Tenerife knows how to attract Brits with golden sands imported from Western Sahara for sprawling beach fronts which remains open throughout winter for sun-seekers visiting the largest of the Canaries Read more: Best luxury Tenerife hotels and family-friendly stays Royal Hideaway Corales Suites offers a home-from-home for holidaymakers in the fishing village of La Caleta three heated saltwater pools and Michelin-starred restaurant El Rincón de Juan Carlos – all designed by local architect Leonardo Omar to mimic a sea cave Read more: Best budget-friendly hotels in Tenerife for families, solo travellers and couples Known as the “miniature continent” for its contrast of volcanic calderas, urban beaches and imposing heights, Gran Canaria sits in the centre of the Canary Islands archipelago Black and white southern sands dot Playa del Inglés and the stylish Meloneras waterfront offers an oasis for holidaymakers shopping Active travellers can tackle the 75km Gran Canaria Camino path which stretches coast-to-coast from Maspalomas in the south to Santiago de los Caballeros in the north crossing dunes and lush forest as they tread the diameter of this circular island Enviable temperatures (average daily highs of 24C) and fresh banana snacks are sure to help with the journey Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, is a hotel dating back to 1890 built in Santa Catalina’s distinctive pink It’s just a short stroll from the old town Neoclassical rooms feature wooden balconies ambient lighting and comfortable beds for some R&R before tucking into an extravagant breakfast buffet Read more: The Canary Island you might not have thought of for wine – and running With clear, shallow waters, palm-lined promenades and rows of parasols, Lanzarote has smartened up its image from tacky tourist hotspot to luxury travel destination Famed as the most popular Canary for holidaymakers pristine beaches and well-equipped resorts awash with international restaurants now sit below the island's dramatic mountains Visit Papagayo Beach on the island’s southern tip for a tan top-up by emerald waters, or tour Timanfaya National Park's lunar landscapes for otherwordly views of the entire island. Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise are ideal for families visiting the usually rain-free isle, but hidden in rural whitewashed villages are the jewels in Lanzarote’s crown country bodegas and the vineyard belt of La Geria tourists are attracted to the lava field landscape benign inland climate and sparkling coastline H10 Rubicón Palace is a family-friendly resort with five different dining venues spacious suites to sleep your whole clan and a village atmosphere multi-sports courts and themed meals greet guests heading for this white sand stretch of Lanzarote Read more: The best beaches in Lanzarote Travellers flock to the coast of the Canary's oldest island, Fuerteventura miles of golden sand blessed with breaks and swells for riding the waves is coupled with a relaxed vibe to match the surf scene Sotavento Beach’s 9km stretch is a hub of wind and kite surfing while famous north shore breaks in chic Corralejo are hailed as Europe’s answer to Hawaii for surfing Beneath the volcanic mountains, the hills are scattered with traditional windmills, Aztec-inspired churches and ochre colonial mansions. Think kitesurfing, buggy driving and mountain hikes to volcanic wine cellars on a Fuerteventura holiday If stylish boutique hotels accented with white and blue, a sheltered beach and a classic Spanish restaurant are what you desire from a Fuerteventura holiday, then the Avanti Lifestyle Hotel should fit the bill 14 terraced bedrooms are available for adults to kick back in Corralejo after days spent diving into watersports The isle bonita – the “pretty island” – of La Palma is a subtropical paradise marked by lava scars from its active Tajogaite volcano Since its last eruption devastated Palermos in 2021 the ashy shore has found its place in the archipelago’s tourism arena with seismic volcano-themed tours and cruises around its corrugated coast The lushest of the Canaries, La Palma is considered one of the world’s steepest islands. This naturally diverse destination is best appreciated on foot, with high-altitude hiking on La Palma’s central peaks the activity du jour rather than shoreside lounging or living it up in the nightclubs of Tenerife or Lanzarote a small resort near the island’s attractive capital Santa Cruz de La Palma shallow bays and bistros serving papas bonitas (wrinkled potatoes with Canarian mojo verde sauce) for an authentic taste of this palatable island Hotel San Telmo in Santa Cruz de La Palma features charming 17th-century decor with 21st-century comforts and it’s ideally situated for a countryside hike Reading in the garden solarium and feasting on freshly prepared bread at breakfast are also on the itinerary for guests and a hiker’s dream for a winter walking holiday the “little sister” to Tenerife (which is a 50-minute boat ride away) packs a punch with its breathtaking range of scenery The gorges are so steep on the island that the El Silbo whistling language developed on La Gomera so farmers could communicate across its deep ravines The island is studded with palms on its west coast lush green valleys and fruit plantations in the north and hiking trails through the misty Garajonay National Park This Canary is also becoming something of a foodie hotspot with goat cheese and dried figs drizzled with palm honey and cazuela Exceptional local fish offerings include sama while terraced vineyards surrounding Vallehermoso and Hermigua are the perfect spot to wash down La Gomera delicacies with local grapes The four-star Hotel Jardín Tecina offers an outdoor pool hot tub and terraced rooms laid out like a traditional Canarian village It’s just a short drive from world-class golf courses – and the tranquil flower gardens boast exceptional views of Mount Teide The smallest and most remote Canary Island, El Hierro is a ferry or flight from Tenerife and was once viewed as the “end of Earth” but this tiny island is scattered with dramatic volcanic deserts aiding ambitions for self-sufficient energy El Hierro’s unpolluted waters are a paradise for scuba divers with the crystalline depths of Mar de Las Calmas attracting all manner of marine life In the coastal villages of La Caleta and El Tamaduste natural pools for swimming are backdropped by a rugged cliffside with holiday cottages nestled atop for panoramic views from the southernmost point of Spain On land, activities include hiking, mountain biking and la lucha Canaria (Canarian wrestling) while the quadrennial festival Bajada de la Virgen de los Reyes – an 18-mile pilgrimage winding the tracks of Valverde since 1741 – sees the Virgin of Los Reyes (the island’s patron saint) carried in a lively procession to the capital On the coast of El Golfo Bay, Balneario Pozo de la Salud oozes calm there’s a spa that features clinical and aesthetic treatments plus sprawling sea views of the Atlantic from modern suites and the on-site restaurant Read more: The best hotels in Tenerife for family-friendly holidays and luxury stays The Canary Islands are bracing for the impact of Storm Olivier which is expected to bring intense rainfall across the archipelago from this afternoon According to the latest technical coordination meeting held this morning (Wednesday) by the regional authorities the storm will begin affecting La Palma at 3:00pm with rainfall possibly reaching up to 30 litres per square metre in just one hour The storm will reach La Gomera and El Hierro around 6:00pm where heavy downpours are anticipated later in the evening Gran Canaria is expected to feel the effects from 9:00pm and La Graciosa) will be impacted in the early hours of tomorrow The Canary Islands Government has declared a full alert for rainfall and issued pre-alerts for risk of floods Storm Olivier will cross the islands from west to east driven by southerly winds that are forecast to intensify the downpours a preceding weather front has already caused rainfall and lightning strikes over the sea between Gran Canaria These early effects led to minor flooding in around 15 homes in Lanzarote road debris and landslides on secondary roads in Gran Canaria Flood Risk Areas Identified Across Islands Authorities warn that most flood-prone zones across the archipelago will be affected particularly in southwestern-facing municipalities The following areas have been identified as high-risk zones for flooding: The Directorate General of Emergencies urges residents to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary Citizens are also advised not to use lifts during storms and to call 112 only in emergencies people are warned not to approach areas struck by lightning or run through open spaces during electrical storms Authorities stress the importance of taking all necessary precautions and following official guidance to ensure public safety as the storm moves through the islands On his fifth visit since the Atlantic island was shaken by the Sept Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that his government would pass new measures this week to help millions of euros in aid to reach those in need Sánchez's government had already assigned 63 million euros ($73 million) in direct aid, with another 6 million euros ($7 million) for the local farming and fishing industries in the impacted area. Though most of the island of 85,000 people off northwest Africa is unaffected by the eruption, part of the western side is facing an uncertain future. The lava flows are still going strong over a month later, gobbling up more buildings and forming newly-born land where it has reached the sea. Locals are also feeling the toll of the nonstop roar from the volcano and the constant series of low-level earthquakes under their island. About 7,500 residents have had to be evacuated from their homes in prompt action by authorities that has prevented the loss of any lives. Most have taken refuge with family or friends but around 430 people are in temporary lodgings provided by the local government. The Canary Islands government is buying up empty apartments to house those whose homes have been demolished. It has also pledged to modify regulations to help rebuilding efforts once the eruption finally stops. But the end is nowhere in sight, warned Canary Islands president Ángel Víctor Torres. “We still have weeks ahead of us,” Torres said. “We are living through some very difficult times. (But) no resident of La Palma will have to leave the island to continue their lives.” Metrics details The eruption of the Tajogaite volcano began on the island of La Palma on September 19 This study aims to present the design and methodology of the ISVOLCAN (Health Impact on the Population of La Palma due to the Volcanic Eruption) cohort as well as the preliminary findings from the first 1002 enrolled participants A prospective cohort study was conducted with random selection of adult participants from the general population with an estimated sample size of 2600 individuals The results of the first 857 participants are presented along with a group of 145 voluntary participants who served as interveners during the eruption Data on epidemiology and volcano exposure were collected and participants underwent physical examinations and venous blood extraction for toxicological assessment descriptive analysis revealed that the participants were mostly middle-aged individuals (50.8 ± 16.4) the participants resided at a median distance of 6.7 km from the volcano in the Western region and 10.9 km in the Eastern region Approximately 15.4% of the sample required evacuation whose 34.8% returning to their homes on average after 3 months A significant number of participants reported engaging in daily tasks involving cleaning of volcanic ash both indoors and outdoors The most reported acute symptoms included ocular irritation Multivariate analysis results show that participants in the western region had a higher likelihood of lower respiratory tract symptoms (OR 1.99; 95% CI:1.33–2.99) depression and anxiety (OR 1.95; 95% CI:1.30–2.93) The ongoing follow-up of the ISVOLCAN cohort will provide valuable insights into the short and long-term health impact related to the material emitted during the Tajogaite eruption based on the level of exposure suffered by the affected population Few studies have assessed long-term chronic health effects and the scarce longitudinal studies have methodological limitations due to the analysis of samples from hospitalized patients low reliability of data sources in some countries longitudinal studies with extended follow-up periods in the general population are needed to analyse the occurrence of deleterious medium to long-term effects the ISVOLCAN study (Health Impact on the Population of La Palma caused by the Tajogaite Volcano Eruption) was started This study involves the recruitment and follow-up of a cohort from the general adult population to assess the impact of the Tajogaite volcano eruption on the health of the population of the island The purpose of this paper is to present the methodology of ISVOLCAN study and provide a preliminary analysis of the data obtained from the first 1002 enrolled participants This is an observational epidemiological study targeting the general adult population residing in multiple municipalities on La Palma Island a group of volunteers from professional personnel with access to the exclusion zone or operations centre during the eruption (including civil protection workers The study consists of two different stages: the first stage involved recruitment and baseline assessments conducted from 2022 to 2023 while the second phase will involve follow-up of the cohort at 2 The study has obtained authorization from the health authorities and received a favorable decision from the Provincial Ethics and Medicines Committee (ref Participants were required to provide written consent before being included in the study is the city with highest population density The Canarian Public Health System provides healthcare to the entire population through a hospital and a network of primary care health centres throughout the island The sample selection was conducted using a random stratified approach based on age and gender groups according to the 2020 municipal census data of the population residing in the western region (El Paso The sample was drawn from the health card registry of the Canarian Health Service which is continuously updated and includes all individuals above the age of 18 who were residents on the island during the eruption and provided informed consent to participate in the study To ensure the achievement of the intended objectives The sample sizes for each municipality in the western region were as follows: Los Llanos de Aridane: 820; El Paso: 405; Tazacorte: 305; Puntagorda: 205 the sample sizes were 505 for Santa Cruz de La Palma Using a non-probabilistic convenience sampling method participants in the study also included members of various professional and volunteer groups involved in different tasks related to the eruption and who had access to the volcano’s exclusion zone or operations centre Although access to these areas was controlled and followed safety and protection measures we expected that these participants from the different groups were highly exposed during their workdays throughout the nearly four-month duration of the eruption An initial sample size of 1207 persons was estimated (precision 3% confidence level 95%) based on an expected prevalence of acute respiratory symptoms (the most frequently associated with such phenomena) Considering an anticipated participation rate in this type of study of 60–70% and a dropout rate during follow-up exceeding 30% the sample was increased to 2600 individuals telephone contact with the selected sample started Those who agreed to participate in the study were administered an epidemiological questionnaire specifically designed for this purpose The questionnaire was completed by Primary Care professionals participants were scheduled to visit the health centres in the two regions for physical examinations and two separate blood pressure (separately by 10 min) were recorded a venous blood sample of approximately 20 mL was collected divided into 4 tubes (2 tubes for complete blood count and 2 tubes for biochemistry) for the toxicological determination of persistent contaminants in whole blood and serum The tubes for complete blood were stored in a refrigerator at 4 °C while the biochemistry tubes were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10–15 min and then allowed to rest for 20–25 min until clot retraction the samples were transported to the Laboratory of the University Hospital of La Palma and finally stored at the Research Unit of the Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria in Tenerife at -80 °C for the sera and − 20 °C for the whole blood primarily polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) will be quantitatively determined due to their possible formation in eruptive processes and their known carcinogenic and teratogenic properties the following will be determined: naphthalene inorganic contaminants that may have been emitted in these eruptive processes will be quantified in whole blood and Zn); (b) toxic elements listed in the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) inventory and V; (c) rare earth elements and other minor elements (Au All these analyses will be performed using gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) for organic contaminants and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for inorganic contaminants The determinations will be carried out in the Toxicology laboratories of the two public universities of the Canary Islands each participant underwent forced spirometry to measure lung function following the recommendations by the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society during the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV-1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) Spirometry tests were conducted using a portable spirometer acquired specifically for this study (Sibelmed Categorical variables will be presented with their distribution of absolute and relative frequencies Quantitative variables that follow a normal distribution will be summarized using the mean and standard deviation (± SD) while those that do not follow this distribution will be presented with the median and interquartile range (IQR) participant home coordinates during the eruption were obtained using the geodist command in STATA and elevation was obtained using the elevatr Statistical package in R A comparison of the distribution of sociodemographic characteristics variables related to the level of exposure during the eruption and previous comorbidities of the participants in the general population between the two regions (west and east) was performed Comparisons of means between two regions were performed by Student’s t-test if the variables followed a normal distribution or by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test for asymmetric variables multivariate logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the independent effect of the place of residence (west vs east) on acute symptomatology during the eruption Those variables considered to be of interest were introduced as adjustment variables The crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) are presented together with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) Statistical significance was assumed as p < 0.05 Analyses were performed using the statistical package SPSS 26.0® (SPSS Inc. Preliminary results of the descriptive analysis are presented for the first 1002 participants: 857 participants from the ISVOLCAN cohort representing the general adult population of La Palma Island and 145 intervening personnel who accessed the exclusion zone during the eruption Flowchart of the ISVOLCAN study cohort until December 31 Table 1 describes the sociodemographic characteristics of the analysed sample from the general population and 20.8% of the sample were unemployed before the eruption; a similar situation was found in the two regions During the eruption 662 (77.2%) resided in the western region and 198 (22.8%) in the eastern region The group of participants from the western region presented a higher percentage of women and a higher percentage of unemployed people significantly In the interveners, the mean age was slightly younger (45.7 years (± 11.8)) with a predominance of males (supplemental Table 1) Figure 2 shows the geolocation of the ISVOLCAN cohort based on the coordinates of participants addresses before and during the eruption in the general population. It can be observed that during the eruption, there was a displacement of residents from the Valle de Aridane area to other parts of the island. Place of residence of ISVOLCAN cohort participants: (a) before and (b) during Tajogaite volcano eruption Characteristics related to exposure during the volcanic eruption in general population are described in Table 2 The median distance from participants residence to the volcano during the eruption was 7.1 km (IQR:6.1–9.3); for the western region Most of the population in the sample engaged in cleaning up volcanic ash using tools with a high capacity for particle projection 85% of the general population always used masks when outdoors it found that the location of the usual residence with less distance to the volcano and higher altitude a more frequent cleaning of volcanic ash both inside and outside the homes and a more daily hours spent in outdoor environments were registered between participants from western region compared to those from the eastern one The frequency of use of face masks and protective eyeglasses in outdoor environments did not differ between the two regions The intervining group showed a similar distribution to the general population regarding variables related to volcanic ash cleaning (location as well as mask usage frequency and type in outdoor environments (supplemental Table 2) Table 3 shows baseline characteristics in general population related to lifestyle and pre-existing comorbidities before the eruption and use of healthcare resources and acute symptoms reported by participants during the eruption The most prevalent pre-eruption comorbidities included blood hypertension (24.3%) The most frequently reported acute symptoms by the general population were eye irritation (45.9%) 12.1% of the sample reported having an emergency visit at a hospital or primary care centres The main reason for primary care visits was anxiety or depression while hospital emergency visits were mainly due to osteomuscular traumas Only 1.8% of the participants reported being hospitalized during the eruption with surgical intervention being the primary reason Participants from the western region compared to those from the eastern one were the acute symptoms reported during the eruption were like those of the general population as well as the utilization of healthcare services the percentage of hospitalizations was lower in this group (supplemental Table 3) Table 4 shows the adjusted and unadjusted effect of region of residence during the volcano eruption (west/east) in general population on each of the most prevalent acute symptoms that showed statistically significant differences between the two regions daily hours in outdoor environments and type of smoker were entered as adjustment variables in all multivariate models for the acute symptom lower respiratory tract symptoms we adjusted for having suffered from any respiratory infection (influenza COVID 19 or cold) during the months of the volcano eruption Adjusted multivariate analysis results show that participants in the western region had a higher likelihood of lower respiratory tract symptoms (OR 1.99; 95% CI:1.33–2.99) depression and anxiety (OR 1.95; 95% CI:1.30–2.93) and insomnia (OR 2.03; 95% CI:1.33–3.09) This article presents the methodology of the ISVOLCAN study as well as a descriptive analysis of the baseline characteristics of the first 1002 participants (857 participants from the general adult population of La Palma Island After the initial telephone contact was established with the selected individuals from the general population of the island an initial response rate of 36.4% was observed Although a higher participation rate was expected the conditions of uncertainty and vulnerability experienced by the population immediately after the eruption was extinguished and during the subsequent months part of the evacuated population was still displaced or involved in bureaucratic and administrative procedures related to the disaster epidemiological data for each participant were collected through a health questionnaire Analysis of this data revealed that the participants had a mean age within the working-age range with a predominance of women and most individuals who had completed secondary education The recruited population mainly resided in the municipalities affected by the volcano with the highest number of displacements during the eruption occurring among the inhabitants of Los Llanos de Aridane which coincided with the movement of the lava flows it was observed that they were younger and predominantly male reflecting the male dominance in certain professions related to the field of public safety the local population resided much closer to the eruption at the time compared to other mentioned populations there are no published studies that analyze the potential effects of degassing exposure on the population of La Palma due to the recommendations of authorities and scientists as well as the activation of volcanic emergency protocols the integrity of the population was successfully safeguarded it is reasonable to assume that the displacements of the evacuated population during the eruption could have had an impact on their health the island’s population received daily information about the necessary preventive measures in each municipality based on air quality and the evolution of volcanic ash In the case of our sample from the general population and less than half of the evacuated individuals returned to their usual homes after an average of approximately 3 months nearly half of the individuals reported insomnia and symptoms indicative of mood disorders those who had to undergo evacuation displayed a higher incidence of these symptoms The eruption caused significant disruptions in the daily routines of the population in specific municipalities especially those directly affected by evacuation orders The elevated prevalence of anxiety and depression can be related to several factors including increased work demands during the eruption and the uncertainty concerning personal health given the substantial number of seismic events and the explosive nature of the eruption it is plausible that these anxiety-related symptoms contributed to the substantial percentage of reported insomnia among the affected population studies focused on monitoring toxin levels in populations affected by eruptions are limited primarily due to the challenge of simultaneously quantifying these inorganic toxins in blood samples collected from affected individuals the necessary analytical methods are mostly expensive limiting their inclusion into epidemiological studies as experts in toxicological analysis of both major inorganic and organic pollutants is presently conducting determinations using venous blood samples from study participants which is exacerbated in our case by logistical difficulties inherent in a fragmented territory like the Canary Islands limiting the transfer of biological samples and human or material resources between islands while the participants were randomly selected from the general population there may exist a selection bias if those who chose not to participate had some differential characteristics (e.g. which could limit the detection of certain relevant associations the epidemiological data relies on self-reporting by the participants which could introduce information biases affecting the validity of the results the high percentage of losses during follow-up several methodological strategies have been implemented The sample size was increased to more than double the initial estimate that is why recruitment and inclusion of participants are ongoing at this moment data collection started as soon as possible after the eruption was finished carried out by personnel specially trained to ensure rigor and thoroughness in the process following the recommendations of the IVHHN regarding epidemiological data records for such phenomena the data undergo rigorous quality control and verification processes Given that the data come from a randomized sample of the general population of the island this study will allow for the detection of causal associations It is worth noting that the inclusion of interveners in the ISVOLCAN cohort provides a significant area of study since they can be considered as individuals with high prior exposure The ISVOLCAN study has been meticulously designed as a 10-year follow-up study aimed at assessing the medium to long-term health impact on the adult general population of La Palma Island following the recent eruption of the Tajogaite volcano Despite currently being in a recruitment phase the study has successfully completed several stages of biological sample collection and biomedical data gathering Once the baseline measurements are finalized and toxicological determinations are conducted data from over 2000 individuals with varying levels of exposure during the eruption are expected to be obtained in our knowledge this study is the first to publish data related to the short-term health impact on the population of La Palma following the eruption of the Tajogaite volcano The data that support the findings of this study are not openly available due to reasons of sensitivity and are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request International Volcanic Health Hazard Network Primarily polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry An Improved Global Analysis of Population Distribution in proximity to active volcanoes Impact of the 2021 La Palma volcanic eruption on air quality: insights from a multidisciplinary approach The respiratory health hazards of volcanic ash: a review for volcanic risk mitigation The health hazards of volcanoes and geothermal areas Dynamics of diffuse carbon dioxide emissions from Cumbre Vieja volcano and metabolic syndrome: adaptations to CO2 increases Volcanic air pollution and human health: recent advances and future directions Respiratory health effects of volcanic ash with special reference to Iceland Increased mortality of respiratory diseases in the area with large amount of ashfall from Mount Sakurajima volcano Acute bronchitis and volcanic air pollution: a community-based cohort study at Kilauea Volcano Health effects following the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption: a cohort study Volcanic Ash and Daily Mortality in Sweden after the Icelandic volcano eruption of May 2011 Tephra sedimentation and grainsize associated with pulsatory activity: the 2021 Tajogaite eruption of Cumbre Vieja (La Palma Gobierno de Canarias. PEVOLCA - Comité científico [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2023 Jul 28]. Available from: https://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/infovolcanlapalma/pevolca/ [Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of 5 questionnaires for the evaluation of post-traumatic stress syndrome] Increased respiratory morbidity associated with exposure to a mature volcanic plume from a large Icelandic fissure eruption Respiratory health and eruptions of the Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a time-series analysis Potentially harmful elements released by volcanic ash of the 2021 Tajogaite eruption (Cumbre Vieja Long-term exposure to PM and all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis Long-term exposure to low-level ambient air pollution and incidence of stroke and coronary heart disease: a pooled analysis of six European cohorts within the ELAPSE project Health effects of Long-Term exposure to ambient PM2.5 in Asia-Pacific: a systematic review of Cohort studies Long-term low-level ambient air pollution exposure and risk of lung cancer - A pooled analysis of 7 European cohorts Measuring air pollution from the 2021 Canary Islands volcanic eruption Health hazards from volcanic gases: a systematic literature review A survey of early health effects of the Eyjafjallajokull 2010 eruption in Iceland: a population-based study Respiratory health among professionals exposed to extreme SO2 levels from a volcanic eruption A retrospective study on acute health effects due to volcanic ash exposure during the eruption of Mount Etna (Sicily) in 2002 The effectiveness of respiratory protection worn by communities to protect from volcanic ash inhalation A longitudinal and multidesign epidemiological study to analyze the effect of the volcanic eruption of Tajogaite volcano (La Palma The Miyake Island Volcano Disaster in Japan: loss and Relocation as predictors of PTSD and Depression Acute impact of volcanic ash on asthma symptoms and treatment Rapid metal pollutant deposition from the volcanic plume of Kīlauea Impact of chemical elements released by the volcanic eruption of La Palma (Canary Islands Spain) on banana agriculture and European consumers Download references The authors give special thanks to Marta Rodríguez Pérez for her invaluable contribution in the technical support of this study She has managed the contacts with selected persons and scheduled participants She also designed all the electronic documents to recording data from the participants and has carried out the data quality control of the database of the cohort Many thanks too to the Primary Care health staff of La Palma for their help to disseminate the study and to administer epidemiological questionnaires to the participants Fundación Canaria Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Canarias (FIISC: ST22/07) University Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria and Primary Care Authority of Tenerife Ignacio García Talavera & Antonio Cabrera de León Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS) University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn) María Carmen Daranas Aguilar & Luis Vizcaíno Gangotena University Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria. Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL) Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) Study recruitment and sample processing: A.D.A.P Acquisition of epidemiological data: M.C.R.P Complete data curation and analysed: M.C.R.P All authors revised and approved the final manuscript The authors declare no competing interests Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-024-01056-4 Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article Standing above the clouds and taking in the dramatic rock formations and giant I tell my friend Jeremy – who I met just three days ago – that I think this must be what Mars looks like We are 2,400m above sea level at the Roque de los Muchachos viewpoint in La Palma on the Canary Islands which gives a breathtaking panoramic view of a giant 1,500m-deep volcanic crater covered with trees and stunning volcanic rock formations As the sun begins to set, our tour guide hands out glasses of red wine to our group of 20 and we all watch in awe as one of the most dramatic sunsets I’ve ever seen descends over the clouds, leaving a clear night sky that’s perfect for stargazing This 5 1/2-hour tour costs from £47 per person (Lapalmatransfer.com) Driving down the steep we pass one of the main attractions on the island a complex of telescopes and observatories and a UNESCO Astronomy Heritage Site our group admires the stars before we get the chance to spy the planet Venus and jaw-dropping particles of stardust It’s easy to see why this island is known as Isla de las Estrellas – island of the stars It’s also one of the least crowded and most unspoiled, and has been declared by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve – a protected area meant for the conservation of plants and animals the group meets every day to eat breakfast together before reuniting in the hotel bar at 7pm for dinner It’s nice that there’s always somebody to chat to – Londoner Jeremy is a real giggle – and as we’re staying all-inclusive at the H10 Taburiente Playa resort, there’s no awkwardness splitting bills or wondering if it’s your round. A few of us decide to join The Big Island Tour for a full day’s exploring we get an unbeatable view of the vast valley of Aridane covered in banana plantations and cut by the deep gorge of Las Angustias The Caldera de Taburiente National Park is also beautiful It’s located in the centre of La Palma and is an 8km-wide crater lava flows and expansive black ash left by the volcanic eruption of Volcán de Cumbre Vieja three years ago Full-day tours cost from £43 per person and are bookable through the hotel One morning, another small group of us make the scenic hour’s walk into the island’s capital of Santa Cruz, located on the east coast and known for its centuries-old architecture I opt for a spot of alfresco dining at Habana Cafe prove tasty and filling (Instagram.com/habanalapalma) serves up an excellent cappuccino (Elcafededonmanuel.com) before I hop on the 20-minute bus back to base We also venture to the west coast to visit Los Llanos which sits on a fertile plain between banana plantations and avocado it’s only a 30-minute drive and costs little more than £2 each way Los Llanos has a buzzy atmosphere and we spend the afternoon sipping coffee people-watching and snapping colourful street art coffee with Licor 43 at Frida cafe on Calle del Medio We’ve since met up for dinner and plan to catch up again to discuss future travel plans Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ The dates displayed for an article provide information on when various publication milestones were reached at the journal that has published the article activities on preceding journals at which the article was previously under consideration are not shown (for instance submission All content on this site: Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V., its licensors, and contributors. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies. For all open access content, the relevant licensing terms apply. Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall. Scientists: Spanish volcano has entered 'low activity' phaseby DANIEL ROCA and ARITZ PARRA | Associated Press although scientists warned that it was too early to declare the eruption phase finished and authorities ordered residents to stay indoors to avoid the unhealthy fumes from lava meeting sea waters The plume of ash emerging from the main vent that opened on Sept live footage of the Cumbre Vieja range in the La Palma island broadcasted by the public Canary Islands Television showed But the column of ash and volcanic material returned after a two-hour hiatus "The volcano of La Palma has entered in a phase of lower activity," the Madrid-based Institute of Geosciences "Let's see how it evolves in the coming hours." The archipelago's volcanology institute published graphs showing a sharp decline in seismic activity in the area "In the last hours the volcanic tremor has almost disappeared as well as the strombolian explosive activity," Involcan said on Twitter But the institute had to follow later with another post announcing that "the re-emission of lava in the main cone is also confirmed." Experts were also on alert as the swarm of quakes that preceded and accompanied Spain's first volcanic eruption on land in half a century moved south with more activity detected in the island's Fuencaliente area Spain's National Geographic Institute said the island's authorities advised residents in four neighborhoods to remain indoors to avoid toxic gases that could be released as a result of lava at more than 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,830 Fahrenheit) meeting Atlantic Ocean water at a temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius Scientists say that the thermal shock results in the release of water vapor plumes loaded with hydrochloric acid and tiny particles of volcanic glass that can cause skin Shopkeepers and residents were also sweeping the layer of ash that had fallen over the island's capital after winds dispersed the volcano's cloud the day before The speed of the flow had increased since Sunday as a result of more fluid lava descending down a sharp slope toward cliffs onto the sea The flow was some 800 meters from reaching the water early on Monday More than 230 hectares have been buried by the lava which has destroyed over 18 kilometers of roads the EU's satellite monitoring service as well as irrigation infrastructure for the island's banana plantations which provide nearly one-third of the island's jobs No fatalities or serious injuries have been reported since the volcano's eruption The island is roughly 35 kilometers (22 miles) long and 20 kilometers (12 miles) wide at its broadest point Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times It is difficult to deny that there are many similarities between Hawaii's Big Island and La Palma Spain despite 14,000 kilometers of sea between them Both of these islands were created by volcanic activity thousands of years ago Both feature an amazing range of climate zones and stunning natural backdrops and the two landmasses are world renowned for their astronomical observatories Hawaii’s Big Island is a household name for triathletes and sport enthusiasts everywhere the fifth largest of the seven main Canary Islands is not well known within the endurance sport scene runners and cyclists venture to the nearby islands of Gran Canaria But La Palma is a jewel in its own right when it comes to training Throughout the Christmas and New Year holidays we spent a couple of weeks training around La Palma and were amazed by the raw beauty and plentiful training opportunities Some other training destinations feature tourist attractions and lots of extras Not many huge hotels or training resorts can be found here old-style guesthouses and a range of rental houses are on offer Mass tourism has not yet taken over this traditional spot evidenced by the tranquil island vibe that can be felt just about everywhere on the La Isla Bonita Few airlines serve the airport of Santa Cruz de la Palma directly (not to be confused with Santa Cruz de Tenerife!) Gran Canaria or mainland Spain hubs Madrid and Barcelona There are a few direct flights offered from Belgium this little Spanish volcanic island holds much for triathletes to explore and experience It is difficult to find many good training pools the island but it is even harder not to plunge in the striking Atlantic sea which offers several great spots for open water drills Local athletes commonly train beside the Santa Cruz marina as it features numerous buoys La Palma is not an island well-known for its beaches because of the many harsh volcanic cliffs around the coastline beaches can be found and we had proper session in the Atlantic Ocean every day There is a charming 50-meter open air pool above the city of Santa Cruz The pool is located in the sports complex “Ciudad Deportiva Miraflores” Properly it is one of the most stunning pools you ever swam Despite the prominent location of the complex and the beautiful vistas Triathletes should be aware that La Palma is not an ideal place for smooth base miles But the biking is still exceptional – the main roads as well as the smaller streets are in great condition and the little alleys are magical But there are very few flat places to ride so you will need some base fitness to fully appreciate and enjoy cycling on La Palma none of the streets are crowded and traffic is very easy going Infinitesimal roads wind across the terrain and the ascent to the island's highest point there is also an immense variety of off-road paths to explore It is difficult to choose which bike I would take to the island La Palma is well liked by hikers and trail-runners for its massive network of exciting and varied paths The trail running scene is rapidly developing here and the hard-hitting “Transvulcania” ultra marathon crosses the island each year The 73.3 kilometer competition is part of the global Skyrunning series and takes runners from all over the world through 4,415 meters of elevation gain The rich nature paired with well-marked hiking trails is heaven for run training runners should expect plenty of elevation changes However because the local roads are not busy the “Ciudad Deportiva Miraflores” not only features the pool that was mentioned earlier but it also provides a perfect synthetic track that never seems to be crowded but this is precisely what makes this spot so extraordinary and inimitable This island brings you back to the essentials of the sport This volcano rock has the shape of the island We found it during one of many training runs alongside the “Ruta del los Volcano" The trail is a part of the GR 131 long distance footpath that covers sections of the island Humble wooden cabins like this can be rented all over the island These simple huts are a smart base for a training camp on the Isla de la Palma La Isla Bonita’s highest mountaintops reach over 2,400 m above sea level and the base of the landmass is situated almost 4,000 m below sea level The northern part of La Palma is dominated by the “Caldera de Taburiente” with a width of 9 km and a depth of 1,500 m Trails range all over the Caldera – a picture-perfect spot for running sessions A hotspot for open water swim training – the Santa Cruz shoreline Swimming in the open waters is easy with weather like this this picture is not taken on Hawaii’s Manua Kea Due to its location and the elevation of its mountains is home to a number of international observatories it is common to enter one side in complete cloud cover and find the other side flooded in sun The 400m oval in the “Ciudad de Miraflores” complex is a stunner It is hard to not get side-tracked during intervals The outstanding 50 meter pool next to the track © Slowtwitch - Built with Federated Computer we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads may adversely affect certain features and functions Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen MSC Opera will run 7-night itineraries with six ports of call between November 3 The ship will depart from Santa Cruz de Tenerife and visit Las Palmas The itinerary offers flexible embarkation options on specific days of the week Extended stays in ports will allow cruisers more time to explore each destination fully Las Palmas is the capital city of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands Key attractions include Las Canteras beach Highlights include Castillo de San Gabriel Santa Cruz de Tenerife is famous for its carnival Puerto del Rosario is the capital of Fuerteventura It also serves as a gateway to Fuerteventura’s natural landscapes and sites Santa Cruz de la Palma is the capital city of La Palma in the Canary Islands featuring historical and natural attractions RELATED: MSC CRUISES LAUNCHES ‘OPEN BOOKING’ PROGRAM This new itinerary replaces MSC Opera’s earlier Red Sea season due to safety concerns in that area. For more details on the new itineraries, visit the provided link. Will you be exploring these two new itineraries? Let us know in the comments! Julie Bouchner is the Marketing Lead for Porthole Cruise and Travel. She has a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Syracuse University. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, baking, and playing with her Siberian Husky named Ellie. Porthole Cruise and Travel is your one-stop shop for all things cruise-related. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser, a seasoned traveler, or an industry professional, our mission is to inspire and inform by bringing you the best in cruising and travel. ©2025 Porthole Cruise and Travel – All Rights Reserved. President Donald Trump makes a major sports announcement. The announcement comes amid reports Washington, D.C. will host the 2027 NFL Draft. WATCHScientists: Spanish volcano has entered 'low activity' phaseby DANIEL ROCA and ARITZ PARRA | Associated Press The speed of the flow had increased since Sunday as a result of more fluid lava descending down a sharp slope toward cliffs onto the sea. The flow was some 800 meters from reaching the water early on Monday, authorities said. More than 230 hectares have been buried by the lava, which has destroyed over 18 kilometers of roads, according to Copernicus, the EU's satellite monitoring service. The molten rock has destroyed houses, schools, churches and health centers, as well as irrigation infrastructure for the island's banana plantations, which provide nearly one-third of the island's jobs. No fatalities or serious injuries have been reported since the volcano's eruption. La Palma, home to about 85,000, is part of the volcanic Canary Islands, an archipelago off northwest Africa. The island is roughly 35 kilometers (22 miles) long and 20 kilometers (12 miles) wide at its broadest point. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. and the legend of a ninthEach of the Canary Islands is a world unto itself But certain natural and man-made features are shared across the archipelago not to mention persistent whispers of one more undiscovered island… The Ancient Greeks had a habit of yearning westward Homer and Plato conjured rhetorical visions of a mythic paradise or lost civilization at the edge of the known world They projected the Elysian Fields of the afterlife a sequence of oceanic-volcanic archipelagos off the northwest coast of Africa plus four smaller islets and various rocky satellites while La Palma is comparatively young at only 1.7 million years old (and still growing through sporadic All have belonged to Spain for more than half a millennium now But while many biogeographical features are shared between them some are specific to a few of these islands Canarian biologist Dr Antonio Machado offers an evocative list of flora and fauna from a group of about 3,600 animal species and 500 native plants endemic to the Canaries the giant lizard of La Gomera… ” Several of these species are critically endangered “This is a fragile territory with unique biodiversity,” says Dr Machado having spent much of his career working to protect it National parks and nature reserves now encompass more than 50 percent of the Canaries and conservationists can report many hard-won successes such as ancient laurel forest regrown and borderline-extinct species reintroduced it steadily disappeared until a recent renaissance in traditional agriculture and gastronomy restored the breed to farms and subsequently to menus a rustic form of pole-vault known as “shepherd’s leap”) also survive as evidence of a heady human heritage derived from the customs of aboriginal Guanches One particular story has been told across all eight islands for as long as anyone can remember: The legend of a ninth the spectral isle of San Borondón was named after the mystic Irish monk known as Saint Brendan the Navigator Spreading Christianity across the seas in the 6th century he was guided by a giant fish to a kind of heaven on Earth at the far end of this archipelago As a native of Tenerife who can trace his ancestry back to the conquest Dr Machado is well acquainted with such tales he is disinclined to believe the occasional wild testimony of local fishermen who swear they have seen San Borondón appear and disappear like a ghostship in the mist “Vertical clouds on the horizon west of El Hierro may look but El Hierro itself is vastly stranger and more wonderful to him than any figment of fishermen’s imagination as are all of the Canaries in their own way Dr Machado paints a vivid picture of the sheer variety a modern voyager might encounter in sailing to all eight in turn “Older islands like Lanzarote are washed out and flattened Gran Canaria is an open book of dramatic geology…” Each island The largest and most populous of the Canary Islands is also the most visited and dotted with 10 Michelin-listed restaurants in luxury hotels and restored colonial buildings it’s also quietly spectacular through inland forests and farmlands This mightiest volcano of the whole archipelago casts a long shadow over the sea which is one possible source of the San Borondón legend Tenerife’s natural inner spaces are a spectacular array of forests and fresh mountain peaks.Photograph by Matthieu PaleyGran CanariaDark volcanic rock meets white sand and bright blue water on this island popular for seaside holidays with almost 40 miles (60km) of beaches flanking big resorts and charming coastal corners like the port of Mogán Gran Canaria arrays some of its deepest natural pleasures across the hidden reaches of a dynamic topography and rolling green hills create a “miniature continent” unto itself Gran Canaria’s towering Maspalomas Dunes are one of many ancient natural attractions on the island.Photograph by Matthieu PaleyLanzaroteInvariably likened to lunar craters or red-dusted Martian canyons Lanzarote’s UNESCO-protected biosphere pushes most human activity right to the margins at busy ports and lively coastal resorts The beautifully eerie interior now draws ever-more hikers and cyclists to otherworldly massifs and plains the vast El Jable desert and the lava fields of Caldera Blanca Landmark sporting fixtures like the Club La Santa Ironman are all the more appealing for racing through such a dreamscape Lanzarote’s volcanic soil is also great for growing grapes making delicious wines to sample while taking in the otherworldly landscape.Photograph by Matthieu PaleyFuerteventuraThe oldest Canary Island was born from the sea in the Miocene era then shaped over eons by strong breezes that have whipped up sand dunes into soft looming peaks at Corralejo and rounded the edges off the ochre hills with their roaming goats and lonely windmills Conditions are optimal for surfing and other watersports off golden beaches while backroads wind their way to remote lookouts and conservation areas for birdlife or sea turtles wild and golden sandy beaches are perfect for watersports and other quieter ways to relax.Photograph by Matthieu PaleyLa PalmaMany older ports of the Canaries retain some color and flavor of the colonial era but none as strongly as Santa Cruz de la Palma Wood-fronted houses rise out of the harbor on a wave of solid lava while Latin-style carnivals and hand-rolled cigars attest to a long history as shipping hub between old and new worlds La Palma retains the colors and flavors of the colonial era spectacularly well Santa Cruz de la Palma.Photograph supplied by Islas CanariasEl HierroOnce the island at the edge of the known world El Hierro was marked as the first planetary meridian by French mapmakers of the 17th century The line runs past the famously isolated lighthouse at Punta de la Orchilla along one of many cliff edges that drop away abruptly into deep waters now known for prime dive spots A certain primeval atmosphere abides in volcanic pools and thick laurel forests especially where local legends tell of witches gathering for ritual dances El Hierro’s primordial feel is exemplified by its volcanic pools and thick secluded forests.Photograph supplied by Islas CanariasLa GomeraAmong the smallest La Gomera rises from beaches and palm groves to misty cloud forest and volcanic caves housing ancient sacrificial altars the island still bears living witness to its distant pre-Christian past by way of the native “whistling language” Used by ancestral shepherds to communicate across deep valleys and registered by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity Stepping through La Gomera’s misted forests you may hear the island’s ancient whistling language echoing across lush green valleys.Photograph by Matthieu PaleyLa GraciosaThe newest Canary Island was only recognized as such in 2018 Previously considered an islet of nearby Lanzarote it’s one of Europe’s last outposts without asphalt roads with virgin sands on beaches like Playa de las Conchas A few whitewashed houses and summer residences are scattered between deep blue undersea caves and terracotta-colored volcanic ranges Metrics details Teeth from 38 aboriginal remains of La Palma (Canary Islands) were analyzed for external and endogenous mitochondrial DNA control region sequences and for diagnostic coding positions Informative sequences were obtained from 30 individuals (78.9%) The majority of lineages (93%) were from West Eurasian origin being the rest (7%) from sub-Saharan African ascription The bulk of the aboriginal haplotypes had exact matches in North Africa (70%) This means that the exact region from which the ancestors of the Canarian aborigines came has not yet been sampled or that they have been replaced by later human migrations The high gene diversity found in La Palma (95.2±2.3) which is one of the farthest islands from the African continent is of the same level than the previously found in the central island of Tenerife (92.4±2.8) This is against the supposition that the islands were colonized from the continent by island hopping and posterior isolation the great similarity found between the aboriginal populations of La Palma and Tenerife is against the idea of an island-by-island independent maritime colonization without secondary contacts Our data better fit to an island model with frequent migrations between islands an aboriginal sample from La Palma island was chosen to be analyzed for the hypervariable region I (HVR I) of mtDNA and for the diagnostic coding region positions that allowed the unequivocal assignation of their lineages to one of the known mtDNA haplogroups so that its relationship with other populations from the islands and North Africa could be accurately established Geographical position of La Palma within the Canary Islands and locations of the archeological sites sampled To assess whether the teeth were externally contaminated the following protocol was used to extract DNA from their external surfaces: Teeth were repeatedly swabbed using a sterilized swab stick soaked in a guanidinium thiocyanate (GuSCN) washing solution (6 M GuSCN The swab was introduced in a 1.6 ml tube with 300 μl extracting solution (6 M GuSCN 2% Triton X-100) and the stick broken to close the tube Then the tube was boiled for 10 min and left to room temperature (RT) for other 10 min its top and bottom were perforated with a sterile syringe needle and fitted in a new 1.6 ml tube to which the solution was transferred by centrifugation Fifteen microliters of acid-treated size-fractionated silica particles (Sigma) were added and the new tube was kept at RT with occasional vortex during 10 min Then the silica particles were pelleted by centrifugation the supernatant discarded and the pellet washed twice with 1:1 washing solution/ethanol once with acetone and once with 70% ethanol the DNA was eluted from the silica pellet resuspending it in 50 μl TE buffer pH 8 and transferring supernatant into a new tube after centrifugation to pellet the silica Five microliters of this solution was used as template for 25 μl volume PCR reactions Ancient DNA (aDNA) was quantified using an ND-1000 (NanoDrop) spectrophotometer following the manufacturer's instructions to estimate the initial number of DNA molecules in each sample The first was typed amplifying a fragment of 50 bp using the forward primer L3005 5′-CTCGATGTTGGATCAGGACA-3′ and a modified reverse primer H3011 5′-GAACCTTTAATAGCGGCTGCACAAT-3′ that creates a Tsp509I site when the derived A is present The second was checked amplifying a fragment of 53 bp using the forward primer L6769 5′-CTAGGGTTTATCGTGTGAGC-3′ and a modified reverse primer H6777* 5′-TCTACGTCTATTCCTACTGTACATAT-3′ that creates an NdeI site when the derived C is present Amplification products were cloned into pGEM-T vectors (Promega) Several clones were sequenced for each fragment until an unambiguous consensus sequence was obtained Additional cloning was carried out in those cases in which only one of the three negative PCR controls showed contamination and this was of a much lower intensity than the sample amplification Cloned sequences from the sample were used only when: (a) detected variants were different between the contaminated control and the aboriginal sample and (b) the mutations observed for that segment were phylogenetically congruent with the haplotype obtained with the rest of the fragments Ancient DNA PCR fragments were directly sequenced with the M13 forward primer Clones were sequenced using the M13 reverse primer (Promega) Amplified fragments from external DNA extracts and from modern samples were sequenced with the same forward primer used in the PCR reaction When necessary the reverse strand was also sequenced All the sequencing reactions were prepared with the BigDye v3.1 Terminator Cycle Sequencing kit (Applied Biosystems) using 10 μl volume reactions sequencing reactions were run on a MegaBACE 1000 sequencing system (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech) At Las Palmas they were run on an ABI PRISM 310 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems) To confirm the accuracy of the fragments amplified for RFLP diagnosis half of their PCR reactions were directly sequenced at least in two samples DNA sequences were analyzed using CLUSTAL X 1.83 and confirmed by inspecting the electropherograms manually and misincorporated bases detected in several instances One blank extraction and three negative PCR controls per sample and amplification have been always performed Consistence of the sequences obtained has been confirmed by repeated amplification and by RFLP analysis that matched the haplogroup assignation based on HVSI sequencing The initial number of amplifiable DNA molecules has been quantified using real-time PCR we analyzed the mtDNA HVSI region using seven overlapping small fragments the total HVSI region could not be amplified in any case Due to the lack of the appropriate technology biochemical assays of macromolecular preservation could not be performed Our overlapping approach would detect any amplification of mtDNA sequences integrated into the nuclear genome Five duplicated samples were assayed in a second independent laboratory it has to be taken into account that the estimated age for these animal remains was older than the oldest date for La Palma aboriginal samples With the aim to remove and to detect any previous surface modern DNA contamination two additional criteria have been followed: any modern DNA contamination present on the surface of the teeth was retrieved before the extraction protocol for endogenous DNA was carried out This approach allowed the subsequent comparison of both DNA sources Table 1 compares haplogroup frequencies between aboriginal and modern samples from the Canary Islands and those from Northwest (Morocco and Sahara) and North Central Africa (Algeria and Tunisia) haplogroup frequencies in aborigines from La Palma and Tenerife are highly coincident (FST=0.0047 although some haplogroups present in La Palma W and X were not detected in Tenerife and haplogroup HV0 This could be attributed to small sample size the U6a1/a2/a3 type was also absent in the modern population of La Palma haplogroup H was the most abundant in the aborigines from La Palma (56.7%) and Tenerife (47.2%) Although there are no significant differences with the historical sample from Tenerife nor with the modern population of the Archipelago there was a significant excess of H lineages in the aboriginal sample when compared with North Africa (P<0.005) Macro-haplogroup L was also present in moderate frequencies in the aboriginal populations of La Palma (6.7%) and Tenerife (11.1%) there was only significant differences (P=0.003) with L frequencies (24.8%) in North Africa and Can756: Canarian; GER54: German; POR162: Portuguese; SYR456: Syrian; YEM1615: Yemeni Graphical relationships among the studied populations. MDS plots based on FST haplotypic (a) and haplogroup (b) frequency distances. Codes are as in Table 1 it seems that well preserved teeth are less sensible to these routes of contamination the archeologist sequence was not retrieved from the external extracts possibly due to its elimination by later anthropologists handling this sequence did not appear as a contaminant of the endogenous extracts could be constructed from the mutations consistently detected in the different PCR fragments and clones of a same sample we feel confident of the reliability of our results As samples in each island were collected from four different sites although with a predominant one (Espigón in La Palma 18 of 30 and CP in Tenerife 24 of 36) we wondered whether population structure within islands existed and the sampling process introduced a bias augmenting diversity H was calculated only for the most abundant sites their values were even higher than those obtained for the total sample (96.1±3.0 in Espigón and 93.1±3.2 in CP) So we discarded the existence of a strong population structure and considered the high H values real These results are against the supposition of a settlement process through island hopping and posterior isolation a restrictive stepping stone model would not fit with the maternal genetic pattern found although it could be accepted supposing frequent secondary migrations between islands the most important evolutionary forces that modulate gene variation are mutation the relative recent age of the Canary Island colonization suggests that mutation could play only a minor role coalescence ages of around 6000 years ago found for two founder clades This leaves migration and genetic drift as the two main counteracting factors to explain the high gene diversity present in the islands the most accepted age for the aboriginal colonization of the island is at the beginning of the first millennium and the mean age for the analyzed aboriginal remains is around 900 AD 36 generations passed since the initial colonization of the two islands which roughly gives an interchange of around three migrants per generation This value is sufficient to homogenize their genetic pools and would explain the great similarity found between both populations this migratory input could be an overestimation if the colonizers of the two islands had the same North African origin an island-by-island independent maritime colonization if the Canary Islands were colonized in several waves most probably Tenerife and La Palma were affected likewise by these events our data better fit to an island model with frequent migrations between islands Future studies on aboriginal remains from other islands and from modern and ancient North African populations would help to elucidate these remaining questions Mercer J : The Canary Islanders: their prehistory Larruga JM et al: Phylogeographic patterns of mtDNA reflecting the colonization of the Canary Islands Cabrera VM : The peopling of the Canary Islands: a CD4/Alu microsatellite haplotype perspective Cabrera VM : A predominant European ancestry of paternal lineages from Canary Islands Rando JC et al: Ancient mtDNA analisis and the origin of the Guanches Arnay M et al: Mitochondrial DNA diversity in 17th–18th century remains from Tenerife (Canary Islands) Gonzalez-Reimers E : Dental caries among the pre-Hispanic population from Gran Canaria Abercromby J : Prehistoric pottery of the Canary Islands and its makers J Royal Anthropol Inst of Great Britain and Ireland 1914; 44: 302–323 Navarro Mederos JF : Pasado y presente de la arqueología canaria Prehistoria y Arqueología Canaria 1997; 10: 447–478 Larruga JM : Description of a simple multiplex PCR-SSCP method for AB0 genotyping and its application to the peopling of the Canary Islands Macias-Hernández A : Fuentes y principales problemas metodológicos de la demografía histórica de Canarias Anuario de Estudios Atlánticos 1988; 34: 51–158 Albarrán C et al: Real-time PCR designs to estimate nuclear and mitochondrial DNA copy number in forensic and ancient DNA studies González AM : Human mitochondrial DNA diversity in an archaeological site in al-Andalus: genetic impact of migrations from North Africa in Medieval Spain Majamaa K : Phylogenetic network for European mtDNA Fahy E et al: Reduced-median-network analysis of complete mitochondrial DNA coding-region sequences for the major African Larruga JM et al: Mitochondrial DNA variation Mauritania and Mali and their genetic relationship to other Western Africa populations Cabrera VM : Major genomic mitochondrial lineages delineate early human expansions González AM : Mitochondrial DNA structure in the Arabian Peninsula Serre D et al: Genetic analyses from ancient DNA Poinar HN : Ancient DNA: do it right or not at all Cabrera VM : Status and relationships of the extinct giant Canary Island lizard Gallotia goliath (Reptilia: Lacertidae) assessed using ancient mtDNA from its mummified remains Kayser M : Updated comprehensive phylogenetic tree of global human mitochondrial DNA variation 2.0: A software for population genetic data analysis Röhl A : Median-ing networks for inferring intraspecific phylogenies Norby S : mtDNA variation among Greenland Eskimos Bandelt H-J : Origin and evolution of Native American mtDNA variation Cabrera VM : Mitochondrial DNA transit between West Asia and North Africa inferred from U6 phylogeography Helal A et al: Joining the pillars of Hercules mtDNA sequences show multidirectional gene flow in the western Mediterranean Loogvali E-L et al: Origin and expansion of haplogroup H the dominant human mitochondrial DNA lineage in West Eurasia: the Near East and Caucasian perspective Lao O et al: Tracking down human contamination in ancient human teeth Correia VB et al: Freshly excavated fossil bones are best for amplification of ancient DNA González AM et al: Mitochondrial DNA análisis of northwest African populations reveals genetic exchanges with European Barrell BG et al: Sequence and organization of the human mitochondrial genome Howell N : Reanalysis and revision of the Cambridge reference sequence for human mitochondrial DNA Wagner J et al: Timing and deciphering mitochondrial DNA macrohaplogroup R0 variability in Central Europe and Middle East Lignitz E : Mitochondrial diversity of a northeast German population Goios A et al: Evaluating the forensic informativeness of mtDNA haplogroup H sub-typing on a Eurasian scale Download references We gratefully acknowledge P Hernández Carpio and A González and J Espino from SEGAI for technical assistance and to N Maca-Meyer and A Gámez for their helpful comments The samples were generously donated by J Pais This research was supported by grants from the Spain Ministry of Science and Technology BFU2006-04490 to JM Larruga R Fregel was supported by a Gobierno de Canarias predoctoral fellowship Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on European Journal of Human Genetics website (http://www.nature.com/ejhg) Reprints and permissions Download citation and is a great bet for travellers who’d choose barefoot luxury and spectacular scenery over glossy resorts and busy promenades And the old town of the capital – Santa Cruz de la Palma – is an architectural wonder cobbled streets and a brilliant museum housed in a 16th-century monastery For a truly memorable stay, bed down in this still-functioning 18th-century lighthouse in the rugged north-east of the island, arguably La Palma’s most enchanting region. The three units sleep a maximum of eight guests, so bespoke service is assured, with the housekeeper dropping off a breakfast basket every morning brimming with fresh produce from Puntagorda’s farmers’ market Address: Faro Punta Cumplida - Isla de La Palma c/ Lomo Machin 66 Bajo, La PalmaWebsite: rusticae.comDoubles from: £280 Address: Calle de Unamuno, 11 - 38770 Villa y Puerto de Tazacorte, La PalmaWebsite: hotelhaciendadeabajo.comDoubles from: £215 These homely stand-alone casitas are a brilliant budget option, with a swimming pool and barbecue kit for food-loving travellers who daydream of stocking up on local produce from the brilliant Mercado Municipal in Santa Cruz de la Palma and getting creative with Canarian flavours Address: Casas Rurales en La Palma, Las Casitas de TijarafeWebsite: lascasitasdetijarafe.comDoubles from: £50 The turquoise of this swimming pool, carved out of natural rock, will linger in your memories long after your return to reality. It’s more of a local haunt than a tourist destination so it’s the perfect spot to soak up some local flavour and eat tapas from Bar Charco Azul Address: Camino del Melonar, San Andres y Sauces, La Palma Among astrophysics enthusiasts and stargazers, La Palma’s observatory is known as one of Spain’s best – La Palma is a designated Starlight Reserve but you need to make a request via the website Address: Avenida Marítima, 34, 38700 Santa Cruz de La PalmaWebsite: starsislandlapalma.es The name sounds like an exaggeration, but this lush forest weaves a powerful spell. From Cubo de La Galga, a hiking path steers travellers through some of La Palma’s prime rainforest Address: Cubo de la Gala, 38714 Puntallana, La Palma With a spectacular location overlooking the salt pans and next to the old Fuencaliente lighthouse, this family-run restaurant is a perfect place to try local seafood while enjoying views of the ocean volcanic landscapes and the dazzling white of all that salt Address: Calle Maldonado, 10, 38700 Santa Cruz de la PalmaWebsite: salinasdefuencaliente.es At this intimate 16-seater restaurant run by Carmen, a local culinary legend, it feels as if you’ve been invited into a 200-year-old Canarian abode to feast on local delicacies. The menu changes every day and there are superb vegetarian options plus dishes can be served vegan on request Address: Doctor Santos Abreu, Santa Cruz de la PalmaWebsite: visitlapalma.es This farm-to-table restaurant is a firm favourite for its traditional Canarian cooking and a well-curated list of local wines Located on the rim of the San Antonio volcano an awe-inspiring crater that has lain dormant since 1678 it has stargazing opportunities that only add to this rustic bodega’s charms Address: Calle Los Volcanes, 23. 38740. Fuencaliente de La PalmaWebsite: lacasadelvolcan.es Keep scrolling for more photos of the best spots in La Palma.. The quiet Canary Islands: La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera An unexpected road trip through Lanzarote, the design-led Canary Island An essential guide to the Canary Islands In a dazzling display of technological brilliance Santa Cruz de La Palma is set to be bathed in the radiant glow of 200 drones this Saturday night The traditional Christmas lighting ceremony will be accompanied by an exhilarating aerial spectacle organized by the Departamento de Fiestas of the city council this event marks a pioneering moment for the capital of La Palma as it joins the ranks of various Canarian cities opting for a futuristic display of light and colour through drone technology complementing the usual fireworks extravaganza The focal point of this unprecedented display will be the Avenida Marítima in Santa Cruz de La Palma specifically at the intersection with Calle Apurón The 200 drones are set to soar to an impressive 115 metres above ground ensuring a breathtaking show without any interference in the island's airspace attendees can revel in a night of music and ambience in the heart of the capital with a special tribute to the legendary Luis Miguel The City Council extends a warm invitation to residents and visitors from neighbouring islands to partake in this unique spectacle marking the commencement of the Christmas festivities in La Palma Don't miss out on this extraordinary fusion of technology and celebration Differences in search efforts for missing persons have become a contentious issue coordinator of the SOS Desaparecidos association in the Canary Islands highlights a concerning trend claiming: "There are first and even third level missing persons." He reveals that Canarians with missing relatives have lodged complaints about the disparity in resources deployed in different cases using the search for Jay Slater as an example as it has received significantly more attention than many others "These families are not asking to reduce efforts for finding Jay Slater They simply wish that the search operations for their loved ones were as extensive and persistent as others organised on the islands." This sentiment resonates deeply among those still looking for missing family members According to SOS Desaparecidos' website there are currently 82 missing persons in the Canary Islands: 50 in the province of Santa Cruz (Tenerife and 32 in the province of Las Palmas (Gran Canaria The oldest case dates back to February 8th when Adolfina Ramos Hernández disappeared in Arinaga She was 21 years old at the time and would now be 64 The most recent and highly publicised case is that of 19-year-old Jay Dean Slater Despite the Guardia Civil concluding the large-scale search operation last Sunday searched the Masca area where he was last seen Martín emphasises the need for equal attention for all missing persons: "No family of other missing persons wants search operations limited; they simply want everyone to receive the same attention." Few search operations for the other 49 missing individuals in Santa Cruz de Tenerife province compare to the extensive efforts for Slater The reasons for this discrepancy are unclear "It could be due to media pressure or the persistence of some families What is certain is that all families consider their loved ones just as important as any other and it is hard to explain why some cases receive more effort than others." The diversity of cases in Santa Cruz de Tenerife includes adults who vanished without apparent reason and unaccompanied immigrant minors who left care centres Martín notes a common pattern: searches continue for several weeks before being suspended due to a lack of leads but cases remain open in hopes of new evidence the list of missing persons on SOS Desaparecidos' website includes Tomás Gimeno who murdered his two daughters in April 2021 While his elder daughter's body was found the bodies of Gimeno and his younger daughter Another mysterious case is that of Natalia Hernández The young woman from Madrid landed at La Palma airport but never collected her luggage and her whereabouts remain unknown almost two years later Other perplexing cases include German backpacker Oliver Heise last seen in July 2020 in El Médano (Granadilla) These cases exemplify the need for consistent and comprehensive search efforts for all missing persons in the Canary Islands The Hospiten Group has reached an agreement with La Palma Atletico Paso FC to become the team’s official medical service spirit and resilience during the 2021-2022 season being promoted to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Second Division despite not having a field to train on after it became unuseable during the Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption The hospital network has decided to bet on this club adding to the agreement a series of actions to help and reward the team for their resistance and with the aim of improving the club’s situation for next season These actions include medical checks of the 25 players on the squad at Hospiten Rambla University Hospital and a complete cardiological study (electrocardiogram and echocardiogram plus ergometry) to check the players’ health status This sports cardiovascular check-up is an essential tool for technical staff trainers and players that will allow them to start next season at full capacity and in safety Hospiten will also take care of transfers from La Palma to Santa Cruz de Tenerife and on to Hospiten Rambla University Hospital As the official medical service of Atletico Paso FC Hospiten makes all its medical experience available to the club as well as the main technological advances in the practice of sports medicine Hospiten will also lend its support to the children's categories to cover expenses and promote a better sports situation for the youngest players the company has committed to the purchase of 25 season tickets for the 2022-2023 season which will be distributed among fans affected by the volcanic eruption members or subscribers of Atletico Paso FC will have a 20% discount on medical services Vice President and CEO of the Hospiten Group considers that "this series of actions confirms Hospiten's commitment to helping those affected by the volcanic eruption in La Palma and which are crucial for good physical and mental health The integrity and sacrifice of Atletico Paso FC is an example of the strength of the population La Palma who are making innumerable efforts to restore normality on the island” expressed his appreciation of the agreement “because it will allow us greater security and professionalism in the management of the team We feel very grateful and proud that a company like Hospiten is collaborating with our club” The Hospiten Group is an international healthcare network with 50 years of experience committed to providing the highest quality service and which has 20 private medical-hospital centers in Spain Jamaica and Panama and more than 100 outpatient centers under the brand Clinic Assist Pedro Luis Cobiella and attends more than 2,000,000 patients from all over the world every year with a workforce of more than 5,000 people If you want to receive the latest news in your email do not hesitate to subscribe to our newsletter The Canaries are Spain’s most accessible destination under current UK travel rules – and home to historical towns The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Away from their pockets of mass-tourism development Spain’s Canaries are an archipelago of endlessly varied landscapes gastronomic delights and a thriving local culture that is at once firmly Spanish and distinctively Canarian With two Unesco geoparks and four national parks these eight sun-baked islands are home to a growing lineup of sustainable tourism initiatives – and you’re never far from a dip in the Atlantic The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. As travel expert Paul Charles put it: “Consumers are voting with their feet and booking trips to Spain; they know the rules they know it’s not illegal and they know they have to self-isolate when they get home.” Teguise was Lanzarote’s capital until 1852; its protected historical core is packed with ancient mansions fanning out from a restored 15th-century church The nearby village of Teseguite has classic Canarian architecture a 17th-century chapel and a couple of wonderful pottery workshops Surf-friendly Famara beach in the north is one of the Canaries’ most beautiful and you can do day trips to the dazzling beaches at Punta del Papagayo in the south Don’t miss the natural pools in Punta Mujeres and all-natural Playa del Risco (accessible by a one-hour hike) Where to stayWith its island-inspired boutique design, circular pool and divine breakfasts, Álava Suites (doubles from €110) in Costa Teguise is a great place to tap into the local creative scene. Lanzarote Retreats (doubles/rentals from €115/95) has stylish yurts stone-built cottages and a solar-warmed pool at its eco-finca in Arrieta Caleta del Sebo Photograph: Maremagnum/Getty ImagesOff northern Lanzarote and reachable only by ferry from Órzola back-to-nature escape (no paved roads here) It became the official eighth Canary Island in 2018 Where to stayFamily-owned Pensión Enriqueta (+34 928 842 051 doubles €35) is one of La Graciosa’s tourism pioneers Eat and drinkEl Marinero, opposite Caleta de Sebo’s 20th-century church, is a locally loved tapas haunt serving home-cooked tortilla and seafood rice dishes (up to €10). Or try a platter of Lanzarote goat’s cheese at beachside Casa Margucha/Restaurante Girasol (tapas €10-€20) explore gentle-paced villages such as Betancuria (Fuerteventura’s oldest settlement pint-sized Casillas del Ángel and Pájara (home to a 17th-century Aztec-style church) where a black sand beach hosts fresh-as-it-gets fish restaurants Pozo Negro is another fishing hamlet popular for its seafood restaurants On the unmissable southern Península de Jandía (it’s worth tacking on a couple of days here) protected beaches (including Playa de la Barca surfy La Pared village and the lonely Punta de Jandía lighthouse Where to stayA 200-year-old volcanic-stone home just north-east of La Oliva has been sensitively restored as the Hotel Rural Mahoh (doubles from €60 B&B), with nine rustic rooms, a pool and a superb Canarian restaurant. The Avanti Lifestyle Hotel (doubles from €120) sits right on the coast in Corralejo and if that’s too far to walk there’s a rooftop Jacuzzi from which to take in the sea view Barranco de Guayadeque Photograph: Westend61/AlamyGran Canaria might be famous for its southern resorts but it’s also a superbly scenic land of forested hills intriguing historical sights and seafood restaurants What to doStay in Gran Canaria’s leafy north Spain’s ninth-largest city – and with a standout beach mountainous interior unfolds in a series of dramatically located villages try north-west coast villages such as Sardina del Norte and Puerto de las Nieves Where to stayLa Laguna Gran Hotel (doubles from €94) in San Cristobal de la Laguna is a stylishly reimagined 18th-century manor with a rooftop pool. An impressive 17th-century mansion on Garachico’s palm-dotted plaza, La Quinta Roja (doubles from €114) has smart wood-beamed rooms around a leafy courtyard it’s on its way to becoming the first island in the world to run on exclusively renewable energy What to doEl Hierro’s most spectacular base is El Golfo where the volcanic coastline sits at the foot of an amphitheatre-like a food-and-crafts market and a 19th-century church The popular (and challenging) Camino de Jinama hike begins (or ends) in La Frontera Divers will want to plunge into the tranquil waters off La Restinga which is also renowned for its seafood restaurants Another El Hierro speciality are its sparkling natural pools; jump in at El Golfo’s La Maceta at Cala de Tacorón near La Restinga or at Tamaduste in the north-east Where to stayLa Frontera’s boho-feel El Sitio (doubles from €50) occupies a thoughtfully converted, sustainably run bodega with seven lava-stone casitas and views across El Golfo. Or stay at the east-coast Parador de El Hierro (doubles from €97) a pool with a view of the Atlantic and a smart restaurant Eat and drinkOpposite La Frontera’s pretty plaza, Joapira specialises in Venezuelan-influenced herreño cooking (mains €10), including stuffed cachapas and peppers filled with local goat’s cheese. In La Restinga, Casa Juan offers creative island produce with seafood rice dishes among its signature dishes (€10-€15) Santa Cruz de la Palma arguably the most beautiful of the Canaries’ capitals Photograph: Dominic Dähncke/Getty ImagesFrom its desert-like southern expanses “La Isla Bonita” – protected as a Unesco biosphere reserve since 2002 – is a place for escaping into the wild What to doArguably the most beautiful of the Canaries’ capitals Santa Cruz de la Palma has a 16th-century core filled with traditional balconied homes renaissance architecture and the glittering Iglesia del Salvador Take a dip in the saltwater pools in nearby San Andrés In the far south, Fuencaliente’s bare, volcano-studded landscape produces distinctive malvasia vines; visit wineries such as Bodegas Teneguía and drive to the wonderfully scenic salt flats beach and lighthouse on the island’s southernmost tip Where to stayHotel San Telmo (doubles from €69) in Santa Cruz has eight boutique-inspired rooms strung around a flower-filled patio in a mango-yellow 17th-century house. Hacienda San Jorge (doubles from €64) looks out on to the black sand beach in Los Cancajos and has a lagoon-style pool and subtropical gardens Eat and drinkIn Santa Cruz, book one of the handful of tables at Enriclai for home-style Canarian cooking (mains €10-€15), and stock up on island produce at the municipal market. El Paso’s Tapas & Trekking does excellent Canaries-inspired tapas – cheese boards Black sand beach at Vallehermoso Photograph: Westend 61/Getty ImagesWalkers travel to lush La Gomera for its outstanding mountain trails but there’s much more to this bohemian island where cliff-edged coastlines give way to palm-filled valleys ancient subtropical forests and eerie volcanic rock formations What to doCombine a stay in La Gomera’s pastel-hued seaside capital San Sebastián with delightful agricultural Hermigua in the less touristy north (near lovely volcanic Playa de la Caleta) San Sebastián’s historic centre features laurel-shaded plazas ancient mansions and the 15th-century church where Columbus is said to have prayed before setting off for the Americas However, La Gomera’s hands-down highlight is the magical, misty Parque Nacional de Garajonay Unesco-protected laurisilva forests conceal some of the Canaries’ most rewarding walking paths A fabulous route through the 40 sq km park meanders down the Hermigua valley from the Alto de Garajonay (1,484m) drop into northern villages such as 17th-century Agulo or Vallehermoso and Alojera is home to La Gomera’s last remaining traditional ceramicists Where to stayLooking out on Hermigua’s banana-palm valley, Los Telares offers smartly rustic studio apartments (from €47) with balconies and a pool. The Parador de la Gomera (doubles from €97) designed to resemble a 15th-century mansion surrounded by Canarian gardens and an Atlantic-facing pool - La Palma airport now operational again after clean-up - Spanish volcanologist explains what will happen when the lava reaches the sea on La Palma. (Details) -  More than 430 buildings destroyed by lava flow - Villages of Tacande and Tajuya evacuated amid increased explosive activity and new vents - New lava flow caused by cone fracture moving "more quickly and more fluidly" - Lava flow "advancing quickly towards the coast" says president of La Palma local government - Spain PM Sánchez to declare La Palma "catastrophe zone" - Active volcanoes in the Canary Islands: an overview - When was the last volcanic eruption in the Canary Islands? (Details) - The question on many minds: What happens when the lava reaches the ocean? (Details) WORLD NEWS Spanish volcanologist explains what will happen when the lava reaches the sea on La Palma WORLD NEWS La Palma volcano: coastal landslide captured on video LA PALMA ERUPTION La Palma eruption: drone takes stunning images of lava flow The airport at La Palma halted flights for a period of time Sunday to avoid engire failures caused by interactions with volcanic ash shows one "miracle house" that was saved from the destruction caused by the flow of lava from the Volcano that erupted a week ago told a press conference this evening that the main lava flow which “had been practically motionless for two days” and is “advancing quickly towards the coast” Zapata said: “We can’t say for certain whether it will reach the sea or not but we can confirm that it is heading towards it.” Related reading: Volcanologist explains to AS what will happen if the lava flow reaches the sea has published these video images of the lava flow pouring from the Cumbre Vieja volcano today AS reporter Santiago Castañeda has captured this image of the huge plume of smoke rising into the La Palma sky from the Cumbre Vieja volcano SpaceTec’s Annamaria Luongo has shared this satellite image of the erupting Cumbre Vieja volcano and the lava flow emanating from it It's the first such picture to be taken without clouds obscuring the view the only undamaged produce from his ash-covered plot of land as the smoke of the Cumbre Vieja volcano rises in the sky in Los Llanos de Aridane These images broadcast by Radio Televisión Canaria show the moment lava flowing from the Cumbre Vieja volcano brought down the bell tower of the church in Todoque on Sunday Firefighters unsuccessfully fought to divert the lava part of a new flow travelling at 100 metres per hour the president of La Palma’s local government expressed his sadness at the bell tower's destruction but declared: “Although the volcano has taken with it one of [Todoque’s] symbols and hallmarks we’re going to be stronger than the volcano all together.” Both Fuerteventura and Lanzarote (the most Eastern of the Canary Islands) are believed to be the oldest islands with an estimated age of 16/17 million years La Palma is believed to be 2 million years old with El Hierro the 'youngest' island in the archipelago with an age of 1,1 million years José Ramón Andrés Puerta is a Spanish chef a non-profit devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters He's live in La Palma and filing regular updates via his Twitter account to his 1 million followers In the seven days since the volcano erupted on the Canary Island a week ago over 6,000 residents have been forced to leave their homes with more than 400 properties seriously damaged by lava ferry operator Fred Olsen Express said it would add an extra round trip between La Palma and Tenerife from Monday until Wednesday "Fred Olsen Express will increase connections.. to continue meeting the demand for transport generated by the emergency situation caused by the volcanic eruption," it said in a statement Some people evacuated from towns close to the volcano were allowed to return to their homes to collect their belongings AS reporter Santiago Castañeda takes a walk through the deserted streets of Santa Cruz de La Palma If you can't understand what he's saying in Spanish it doesn't matter; just listen to that crunch-crunch sound made by the carpet of ash under his feet: a volcanologist at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) spoke to AS to explain the current situation of the volcano how the process began and what is expected for the future Read the full interview The analysts have stations set up in key parts of La Palma in order to collect ash fall from the volcanic eruption and monitor its evolution The view of the island is best seen from above the island and this drone footage gives a perfect example of this where the volcanic eruption in the area of Cumbre Vieja has been taking place for a week has seen a rather spectacular landslide that has fallen into the sea It's not yet clear if this is directly related to the seismic activity that has been capturing the world's attention Watch it here If you want to listen to the words directly out of the mouth of Miguel Ángel Morcuende Most of what he said can be found in English in the previous posts "What we need is help to the local economy This starts with contributions of money." "Seismic activity continues at low levels and the depth of the signal is over 10 kilometres "Nearly 10,000 personnel are working on emergency coordination efforts "The people who were evacuated the day before yesterday [Friday] in Tajuya and Tacande will return to their homes "We are not in a situation of total alarm Safety is completely secure as long as there are no major changes This is a typical eruption process in the Canary Islands with the added problem of passing through inhabited areas "There are other municipalities that are suffering from ash fall due to a south-westerly wind "This does not affect the air quality in the habitable areas but care must be taken in handling the ash because the dust can cause bronchial and eye problems." "We are still managing the same variables as in previous days "We have a lava flow to the south that is moving at about 30cm per hour The lava is at about 1,250 degrees Celsius but it is becoming more viscous and is slowing down." here is a reminder of volcanoes of the past on La Palma We're about to go live to a press conference of the volcano emergency planning team of the Canary Islands.. A small landslide has been witnessed in Tazacorte it is not known if it is a direct result of the volcanic eruptions The Canary airline Binter has advised us through a statement that the situation with the ash cloud coming from the volcanic eruption will continue to keep its flights to and from La Palma suspended "The airline has been forced to take this decision due to a force majeure and the flights scheduled for today have been cancelled "The paralysation of the operation will be maintained until the conditions improve and allow us to fly while guaranteeing passenger safety." The company has made it clear that they will deal with refunds or reschedules appropriately Energy company Endesa has activated a special plan for urgent measures to help those in La Palma given the serious economic and social consequences caused by the volcanic eruption The multinational will offer a personalised payments plan on invoices as well as special offers and specific measures for those whose homes or small businesses have been directly affected by the eruption all Endesa customers on the island may request payment deferrals or installments of bills in order to help mitigate the impact that this natural catastrophe will have on households the contracts of the homes that have been lost will be terminated and the bills will be canceled from last Sunday The Volcanological Institute of the Canary Islands has reported that the magnetic pressure on La Palma has dropped they also advise that this "does not imply that the eruption is approaching its end," adding that "more data and different parameters will be needed to make correct forecasts about the medium-term evolution of the eruptive activity." That means we'll continue to watch this space very closely and bring you all the latest "We will always respect the integrity and feelings of the people affected." That was the message from the local TV broadcaster "For this reason we have not recorded images of the evacuated people who are in the football field in El Paso and we have stopped broadcasting and sharing those in which houses are seen collapsing." As the Cumbre Vieja eruption on La Palma intensifies the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain has been sending up drones to track the lava flow Here's some more incredible footage of what has been developing La Palma airport has returned to normal on Sunday the work of cleaning the ash from the volcano eruption has been carried out in collaboration with the island's administrations and organizations and the airport manager has passed on thanks for all their efforts in difficult circumstances The island’s government said there had been “no significant incidents” with the volcano since Saturday when part of the crater collapsed and another river of lava emerged They have also been able to communicate that the eight airports across the Canary Islands are now operative although Aena recommends that passengers should check the status of the flight with the airline before travelling The closure had led to long lines at the island’s port to catch ferries off the island Local television has shared this drone footage giving you the current situation above La Palma Reports are that 496 buildings have already been impacted by the explosions and lava flow The Pontiff said a few words in support of the emergency services working to keep residents of La Palma safe during an Angelus address on Sunday.  The European Union's Copernicus observatory now estimates the scale of the ashfall on La Palma at 1,314 hectares The BBC asked an expert from Spain's National Geographic Institute how long the Cumbre Vieja eruptions could last The last eruption on La Palma took place in 1971 when Teneguía which is part of the same range as Cumbre Vieja erupted over a period of just over a month.  With La Palma’s airport now closed due to the ash clouds caused by the erupting Cumbre Vieja volcano people attempting to leave have been forced to seek a ferry off the island The Canary Islands media outlet El Día reported queues of “hundreds of people” at the Santa Cruz de La Palma ferry terminal on Saturday Volcanic explosions spewed red hot lava high into the air on La Palma on Saturday as a new emission vent opened forcing the small Spanish island to close its airport and preventing some people leaving said the new emission vent that had opened was to the west of the principle vent Spanish airport operator Aena said the island's airport had been closed because of the volcano which has spewed out thousands of tons of lava destroyed hundreds of houses and forced the evacuation of nearly 6,000 people "La Palma airport is inoperative due to ash accumulation but the situation may change at any time," it tweeted Channel la Sexta broadcast drone footage of the lava flow Saturday evening The flow is moving between 200 to 300 meters per hour The Geological and Mining Institute of Spain and the Spanish National Research Council provide footage from the eruption on La Palma showing the full extent of what the lava has covered since Sunday Cumbre Vieja began erupting after 3 pm GMT Sunday 26 September Lava has now covered  an area over three fifths the size of Central Park The volcanic eruption on La Palma besides destroying homes is damaging the island's banana crop In this photo from Reuters by Nacho Doce holds ash in his hands that has affected his banana field at Los Llanos de Aridane A reporter from El Salvador in the area managed to capture one of the volcano's huge shock waves The Canary Islands Volcanology Institute closely tracks the activity of the various active volcanos on the islands Two weeks ago seismic activity  began to greatly increase informing of an imminent eruption Hell and welcome to AS English's live coverage of the ongoing volcanic eruption on the Canary Island of La Palma The Cumbre Vieja volcano has been spewing ash and lava since erupting on September 19 destroying hundreds of buildings and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from 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line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt The government of the Canary Islands has declared a lockdown for nearly 3,000 on the island of La Palma due to the relentless stream of volcanic activity The decision comes as concerns grow about toxic gases that may arise from a third lava delta The measure will be maintained for at least 24 hours This is the fourth time lava has reached the Atlantic Ocean since the volcano erupted just over two months ago Although sulfur dioxide emissions have reached a minimum since the eruption began the wind from the west and southwest has caused air quality problems in the municipalities to the east Despite the lava adding an additional 43 hectares to the island since the Cumbre Vieja volcano began erupting in mid-September the eruption also destroyed more than 2,000 properties and forced the evacuation of 7,000 people as a precaution The destruction caused is immeasurable according to the Spanish government The lava has also been destructive to farmland with banana trees on the island being a particular target for the lava Banana crops are one of the main crops on the island it is estimated that the island has lost over €103 million due to volcanic activity Metrics details Volcanic activity provides a unique opportunity to study the ecological responses of organisms to catastrophic environmental destruction as an essential driver of biodiversity change on islands no study of the biodiversity at an erupting volcano has yet been undertaken we quantified the main species affected and their fate during the 85-day eruption (September–December 2021) Our main objective consisted of monitoring the biodiversity subjected to critical stress during this volcanic eruption We found that all biodiversity within a 2.5 km radius was severely affected after the first two weeks It is challenging to assess whether volcanism can drive evolutionary traits of insular organisms Examples are the adaptation of an endemic conifer to high temperatures selection of functional plant types—secondary woodiness— effects of the disappearance of invertebrates and their influence in trophic nets and vertebrate trophic plasticity our data suggest that such previous evolutionary changes might continue to favour their resilience during this eruption it is a very good opportunity to assess the extent to which these periodic volcanic catastrophes may constitute temporary windows of repeated opportunities for the evolution and speciation of oceanic island biota quantitative and systematic ecological research during a volcanic eruption has been lacking This study was an excellent opportunity to evaluate the influence of an eruption on the rich legacy of insular biodiversity by examining the vicinity of craters and lava flows we put forward some interesting research questions that had not hitherto been tackled in real-time (1) At what time and geographical scale (distance from crater) did specific groups of plants and their populations collapse (2) To what extent are key insular species like the endemic Canary pine adapted to various stressors arising from volcanism (3) Is the dominance of particular plant functional types on oceanic islands linked to or even favoured by volcanic activity (4) How strongly affected was the invertebrate community on which many saurians and small passerines depend (5) How important was trophic plasticity for some vertebrates during this volcanic process (6) Do body size and mobility capabilities control the responses of vertebrates (7) to what extent can regular volcanic catastrophes constitute time-windows of opportunities for the evolution and speciation of oceanic island biota Our activity consisted of monitoring the biodiversity subjected to critical stress due to the eruptive process The main aims of this work comprised spatial and temporal assessments of (1) plant species cover and vitality (2) trends in the abundance of invertebrates on soil and plants (3) patterns in the density and behavioural responses of terrestrial vertebrates (lizards two of them in rainy conditions making their consistency especially cohesive The pine trunks first re-sprouted two weeks after the eruption ended (December 13 even some just outside the new crater itself At least 90% of the pines within 300 m of the crater seemed to resist the effects of the eruption and green buds were seen at the needle-bases in tufts and on scratched branches The state of the pines clearly improved further from the crater Fruticose lichen thalli (Usnea articulata) are normally abundant on Canary pines and resisted well until the 12th week of the eruption ferns (Pteridium aquilinum) were the first organism clearly affected during the first week Understorey plants (mainly the shrubs Cistus symphytifolius and Chamaecytisus prolifer ssp palmensis) endemic to the pine forest habitat were severely affected during the fourth week coinciding with the first emission of ultrafine tephra symphytifolius had its leaves perforated by the falling pyroclasts thus limiting photosynthesis to its green stems Euphorbia lamarckii or Kleinia neriifolia) located within the 2.5 km closest to the crater appeared deeply affected after the seventh week In the xerophytic scrub (succulent plants) many plant populations disappeared completely under lava flows such as the archipelago endemic Euphorbia canariensis and others showed severely reduced populations like Euphorbia balsamifera or Sideritis barbellata Time sequence in abundance of the endemic lizard Gallotia galloti sightings during the Tajogaite volcanic eruption and their distances from the crater (within or beyond 2.5 km) Time sequence of the most common bird species sightings or songs/calls during the Tajogaite eruption and their distances from the crater (within or beyond 2.5 km) To our knowledge, this is the only work done on the terrestrial biodiversity status in the direct vicinity of a limited duration volcanic eruption. In this contribution, we document and assess the impact on the main plant and animal groups within the ecosystems during a volcanic eruption (Table 1) While some groups were clearly disadvantaged: ferns and herbaceous plants as well as invertebrates and saurians (lizards and geckos); other groups such as conifers and woody shrubs showed better resilience which led to alternating destruction and neo-colonization processes Concerning the flora, the Canary pine forest was the most affected ecosystem and vegetation type, as it is dominant in the vicinity of the new volcanic vents. The southern slopes of this forest were the most disturbed area due to the location of the volcano, combined with the prevailing northeasterly trade winds (Fig. 1) Tephra fallout and sulphurous gases were the main factors that affected the pine forest the local xerophytic and thermophilous habitats also lost much of their surface area this drastic reduction was caused by the progressive downslope expansion of the lava flows The nearest individuals to the crater were most directly affected by intense tephra falls and concentrated volcanic gases (SO2 plants located in the nearest 200 m to the lava flows but at more than 2 km from the crater were presumably more disturbed by the high temperature of the slow-cooling lava and its lesser gas emissions Most members of these genera in other ecosystems on continents are mainly herbaceous As such eruptions and their impacts due to ash depositions are frequent events on volcanic islands several times within a century on La Palma this is a “frequent” selective process at evolutionary time scales this plasticity is tremendously beneficial in ecological catastrophes their flight is limited by the delicate structure of their patagium which can be damaged by the frequent pyroclastic tephra fall scarcity of insects in the first few kilometres from the crater probably led to their displacement to other more distant and richer food resource zones As we learned from the movement capacity of the vertebrate animals that still inhabited the affected area resisted the eruptive process much better than those with less mobility have not previously been associated with their potential evolution along with volcanic processes such evolutionary adaptations most likely played an important role in the survival of plants and animals affected by the volcano it is worth considering and debating whether these previously mentioned evolutionary processes are in fact also linked to repeated volcanic episodes on oceanic islands The invertebrate fauna consists of a relatively low number of species Lepidoptera or Hymenoptera should be highlighted Vertebrate fauna is principally composed of 2 reptiles (both endemic to the Canaries: the lizard Gallotia galloti and gecko Tarentola delalandii) about 12 breeding birds and one bat (Pipistrellus maderensis) endemic to the Canary and Madeira archipelagos mammalian fauna introduced by humans inhabit the area We studied the most important events affecting biodiversity during the three months of this eruption. A total of 32 original sample stations were studied at the beginning of the eruptive process, from the immediate vicinity of the main crater to the sea (lava delta) (see Fig. 1) To follow up all these stations individually was impossible due to their ongoing destruction by new lava flows covering the habitat during the eruption we tried to construct a realistic scenario of the vegetation before and during the arrival of lava and its progress down the slopes we established a new one as a replacement within the 200 m band closest to the lava flows a 30 × 30 m plot was chosen to inventory and monitor the biodiversity present The procedure was continued during the whole eruption process to gain a complete picture of the volcanic impact on the habitat and its evolution over time These stations were selectively located to include the most natural areas to be found near the lava flows Our inventory quantified the species of flora and fauna in those areas; flowering plants lizards and birds were intensively monitored as the most important groups in biomass represented in the ecosystem A more approximate count and follow-up of insects and bats was also carried out We worked up to a proximity of 1 km from the crater following the security guidelines set by the Volcanic Emergency Plan of the Canary Islands (PEVOLCA) we closely observed areas within 200 m of the volcanic lava flows including their advancing front and the flanks 32 workstations surrounding the expanding terrestrial area of the eruption were censused and monitored from the main crater down to the sea shore Concerning the flora in the 30 × 30 m plots together with their vital and conservation state we performed censuses of birds during 5 min periods detailing our distance (± 10 m) from each contact and whether they were heard or seen in the first 3 h after sunrise Lizards were counted from 3 h after sunrise until 3:00 p.m in a 2 × 30 m band within the plot and assigned a body size according to snout-vent length (small: < 7 cm Both censuses were done in the same plots as plants Invertebrates were inventoried and followed up by 30 min visual surveys in a 50 × 50 m plot covering all three habitats The number of plots in the respective habitats corresponded to their relative surface area Only invertebrates on plants and soils or in flight were recorded because under-rock invertebrates disappeared below the lava flows and falling tephra There was a previously available dataset for this animal group from this zone and season due to recent work by one author (RG) To compare these previous data (quantified by a rank order; rare: 1–5 exx occasional: 6–10 exx and frequent: > 10 exx) with those obtained during the eruption information was gathered on the natural history of the area which allowed us to verify the changes that occurred in animal behaviour the state of plants and each interaction between animals and plants Categorical data analyses (Chi-square) were carried out using the statistical package R 4.0.2.44 We compared the lizard abundance during each two-week period in both the zone up to 2.5 km from the crater and beyond this distance The same methodology was applied to the six most abundant bird species An ENE-WSW thickness profile was synthesized from these measurements to depict the distribution of the pyroclast deposits along the southern border of the new lava field where the biodiversity observations were made The datasets generated and analysed during the current study are available in the Dryad repository, https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.v6wwpzgzr The Hadean-Archaean transition at 4 Ga: From magma trapping in the mantle to volcanic resurfacing of the Earth Prebiotic synthesis in volcanic discharges: Lightning Volcano ecology: Disturbance characteristics and assembly of biological communities In The Encyclopedia of Volcanoes 2nd edn (ed The role of frugivorous bats and birds in the rebuilding of a tropical forest A global assessment of endemism and species richness across Island and mainland regions (coord.) Lista de especies silvestres de Canarias FloCan- A revised checklist for the flora of the Canary Islands High-resolution Digital Surface Model of the 2021 eruption deposit of Cumbre Vieja volcano Copernicus Emergency Management Service (© 2021 European Union), EMSR546: https://emergency.copernicus.eu/mapping/list-of-components/EMSR546 Volume and stratigraphy of the Cumbre Vieja 2021 eruption tephra fallout Impact of sudden volcanic sulphur emissions on the vegetation of La Palma Biodiversity hotspots in the Mediterranean basin: Setting global conservation priorities Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities The historic eruptions of La Palma Island (Canarias) Signatures of volcanism and aridity in the evolution of an insular pine (Pinus canariensis Chr Fire adaptations in the Canary Islands pine (Pinus canariensis) Effects of modern volcanic eruptions on vegetation Lens, F., Davin, N., Smets, E. & Del Arco, M. Insular Woodiness on the Canary Islands: A remarkable case of convergent evolution. Int. J. Plant Sci. https://doi.org/10.1086/670259 (2013) Temporal and palaeoclimatic context of the evolution of insular woodiness in the Canary Islands Molecular evidence for multiple origins of woodiness and a New World biogeographic connection of the Macaronesian Island endemic Pericallis (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) Island colonization and evolution of the insular woody habit in Echium L A new look at phenotypic disparity and diversification rates in island plant radiations Island woodiness underpins accelerated disparification in plant radiations drought and island isolation favoured rampant evolutionary transitions towards insular woodiness Animals and volcanoes: Survival and revival Rapid decline of the volcanically threatened Monserrat Oriole Changes in female reproduction and body condition in an endemic lizard following the Puyehue volcanic ashfall event The response of two lizard species to ash from fire and volcanism Sublethal pathology in bats associated with stress and volcanic activity on Monserrat Site fidelity in the Canary Islands stonechat Saxicola dacotiae in relation to spatial and temporal patterns of habitat suitability The dynamic trophic niche of an island bird of prey Bioclimatology and climatophilous vegetation of Hierro (part 2) and La Palma (Canary Islands) The Pliocene seamount series of La Palma/Canary Islands 40Ar–39Ar ages and magnetostratigraphy of Brunhes and Matuyama lava sequences from La Palma Island Evidence for a persistent uplifting of La Palma (Canary Islands) inferred from morphological and radiometric data un Recurso Natural Para Canarias (Servicio de publicaciones de la Caja General de Ahorros de Canarias R Core Team. R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing. https://www.R-project.org/ (2022) Download references Daily interchange of biological information with our team of volcanologists was the key to better understanding many details of the impact of this 85-day eruption on the rich local biodiversity Jesica López provided us with important references and Juan Ignacio Padrón and Jesús Marco provided all kinds of logistic support We thank the financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Real Decreto 1078/2021 to fund the research activities of the CSIC-PIE project with ID numbers CSIC-LAPALMA-02 and CSIC-LAPALMA-05 The manuscript was proof edited by Guido Jones currently funded by the Cabildo de Tenerife under the TFinnova Programme supported by MEDI and FDCAN funds This article is dedicated to the memory of Aurelio Acevedo Rodríguez for his defence of Canarian biodiversity Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA) Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) Gestión y Planeamiento Territorial y Ambiental (Gesplan S.A.) Departamento de Botánica y Fisiología Vegetal Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER) Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-22863-0 Sign up for the Nature Briefing: Anthropocene newsletter — what matters in anthropocene research Looking to access paid articles across multiple policy topics Interested in policy insights for EU professional organisations Spain will formally ask the European Commission to activate the EU Solidarity Fund to obtain extra resources to repair the damage caused by the volcanic eruption on La Palma island Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Friday The European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) was set up to provide finance to respond to major natural disasters. [Shutterstock/Alexandros Michailidis]