New fissures have opened in the erupting volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma, spewing lava and ash into the air, with 1,000 buildings destroyed so far.
The Cumbre Vieja volcano blew open two more fissures on its cone on Friday, with authorities reporting 'intense' activity in the area and saying it is more aggressive than when it first erupted on September 19.
The new fissures, about 50 feet apart, sent streaks of fiery red and orange molten rock down toward the sea, parallel to an earlier flow that reached the Atlantic Ocean earlier this week forcing thousands to evacuate.
The Cumbre Vieja volcano continues to erupt on the Canary Island of La Palma, spewing lave into the air and down the slopes, as seen from Tacande de Arriba, Spain, October 2, 2021
Pictured: A building is seen in the shadow of the volcano as it erupts in the background, spewing lava into the air
The Cumbre Vieja volcano continues to erupt on the Canary Island of La Palma, as seen from Tacande, Spain, October 2, 2021
This handout picture released by the Spanish Military Emergency Unit (UME) shows UME members monitoring the lava flow produced by the Cumbre Vieja volcano, in the northern area of the Canary island of La Palma on the night of October 1, 2021
Pictured: Lava can be seen being fired into the air from the Cumbre Vieja volcano, which continues to spew lava, on the Canary island of La Palma in El Paso on October 02, 2021
Molten lava can be seen behind the silhouette of a cross on the island of La Pala as lava flows from the volcano towards the sea
An aerial view shows a rocky outcrop that extends Spain's La Palma coastline, after lava from the Cumbre Vieja volcano poured into the ocean, in this screen grab taken from drone footage
Lava from the new vents is carving a different path from previous flows and raising fears of more destruction, while fine ash forced islanders to don masks and goggles.
The volcano was 'much more aggressive,' almost two weeks after it erupted on La Palma, said Miguel Angel Morcuende, technical director of the Canary Islands' emergency volcano response department.
Overnight, scientists recorded eight new earthquakes up to magnitude 3.5.
The eruption was sending gas and ash up to almost 20,000 feet (6,000 metres) into the air, officials said.
The prompt evacuation of more than 6,000 people since the September 19 eruption helped prevent casualties.
Meanwhile, a new area of solidified lava where thFe molten rock is flowing into the sea extends over more than 20 hectares.
Officials were monitoring air quality along the shoreline.
Two people watch from a distance as the umbre Vieja volcano continues to erupt, from Tacande de Arriba, Spain, October 2, 2021
An aerial view of a lava trail surrounding the Cumbre Vieja volcano, as it made its way to the ocean, in this screen grab taken from drone footage, Spain October 1, 2021
The Cumbre Vieja lava delta in the sea, from the port of Tazacorte, on October 1, 2021, in La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain
A drone operator uses his drone to take pictures of the outcrop that has been formed by lava purring into the Atlantic ocean on the island of La Palma
UME members monitoring on a computer screen the lava flow produced by the Cumbre Vieja volcano, in the northern area of the Canary island of La Palma on the night of October 1, 2021
Shoes donated to assist people who lost their homes and belongings due to the volcano eruption in the Cumbre Vieja national park, are displayed on seats at Severo Rodriguez sports centre in Los Llanos de Aridane, on the Canary Island of La Palma in October 2, 2021
Sulphur dioxide levels in the area rose but did not represent a health threat, La Palma's government said.
However, it advised local residents to stay indoors.
It also recommended that people on the island wear face masks and eye protection against heavy falls of volcanic ash.
The volcano has so far emitted some 80 million cubic meters of molten rock, scientists estimate, more than double the amount in the island's last eruption, in 1971.
The lava has so far destroyed or partially destroyed more than 1,000 buildings, including homes and farming infrastructure, and entombed around 709 hectares.
La Palma, home to about 85,000 people who live mostly from fruit farming and tourism, is part of the volcanic Canary Islands, an archipelago off northwest Africa that is part of Spain's territory.
The island is roughly 22 miles long and 12 miles wide at its broadest point.
Life has continued as usual on most of the island while the volcano is active.
Satellite picture of lava flow following the eruption of a volcano on the island of La Palma, Spain September 30, 2021. The lava has created a 550 yard-wide pyramid as it has come into contact with the ocean and cooled. Fears were raised on Friday about more damage after a new fissure opened in the volcano on Thursday, around 1,300 feet north of the initial eruption site
The Spanish Canary Island island to the north-west of Africa is continuing to expand (pictured in a satellite image) as the lava from the volcano hardens when it comes into contact with water, scientists have said
Smoke rises from Cumbre Vieja volcano as seen from Valle de Aridane, La Palma, Canary
