Cape Verde's equivalent to Teide, the Pico de Fogo, in eruption this morning

[Janet]

A major eruption started this morning on Fogo in the Cape Verde islands. The island is in the south of the archipelago which is itself south of the Canary Islands, off the coast of Senegal. The pico de Fogo is often compared to Mt Teide, being the highest volcano in the Cape Verde islands. The eruption has been confirmed by the Canarian Vulcanological Institute (Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias: IVC), which promises more information shortly. There is a private video of the eruption which has been promulgated by the IVC but I can't see how to upload it to this blog: it is HERE on my Facebook media page, though. JA

[Janet]

There's a spectacular video from Fogo News

of the continuing eruption, with local experts saying that the next 24 hours will be decisive. Local civil protection measures have been strengthened and some evacuations from Cha das Caldeiras near the eruption zone have been ordered though there is said not to be any immediate danger for the public.

[Janet]

Incredible scenes from Fogo over the last 24 hours in the above video, showing the side vent of the Pico de Fogo spewing lava, and the lava flows that are inexorably spreading, including into national park territory. The Cape Verde government is said to be "losing the fight", but this is a battle impossible to "win", and it seems that the government is doing the best it can by setting up a crisis cabinet to monitor progress, coordinate response, and distribute assistance.

A cause for concern at present is that the eruption is moving towards from the side vent up to the main crater, creating vents as it goes. Currently four are active, and

video gives a staggering idea of what's going on in that immediate area of eruption. The eruption, in other words, is still building up. JA

[Michael]

Janet I bet after you watched this you cast a quick glance up the hill. 

[Janet]

it crossed my mind, yes .....   

[Janet]

The third day of the eruption has seen the lava flow slow, and vulcanologists say that their instruments suggest that the eruption has been spectacular and mercifully short. They are expecting to see it come to a halt over today.

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

Even if it doesn't they are probably safe from prosecution.

[Janet]

After appearing to die down, the eruption today seems to be gathering strength again, with existing and now new flows of lava more viscous, which means more rapid diffusion. The strengthened activity now puts at risk the Portelas and Cova Tina areas. Air quality is meanwhile being monitored in the region generally. JA

[Janet]

Fogo's eruption enters its fifth day with seismic and volcanic activity increasing again, with lava being emitted from four vents on the side of the volcano. The Portela area is now said to be in clear danger of being engulfed by lava which is only 100m away. Cova Tina is also threatened by another flow. JA

[Janet]

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Over the last several hours the eruption has intensified and the civil protection authorities have now ordered a complete evacuation of the Portela area. The authorities, vulcanologists and journalists have now been moved to a safer distance, and the army is enforcing the removals. The above photo of scientists inv estigating the eruptive column has been sent by researchers in the area from Involcan (Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias).

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