Spanish volcanic eruption over, brings relief and reconstruction

“It is not joy or satisfaction – how can we define what we feel? It’s an emotional relief. And hope,” said Pevolca director Julio Pérez. “Because now we can fully focus on reconstruction.”

Fiery molten rock pouring into the sea destroyed about 3,000 buildings, buried banana plantations and vineyards, destroyed irrigation systems and blocked roads. But there were no injuries or deaths directly related to the eruption.

Pérez, who is also the region’s minister of public administration, justice and security, said the archipelago’s government estimated the loss of buildings and infrastructure at more than 900 million euros (1 billion dollars).

Volcanologists said they needed to certify that three key variables — gas, lava and quakes — had sunk into the Cumbre Vieja ridge for 10 days to explain the volcano’s apparent depletion. Since the eruption began on September 19, previous periods of reduced activity have been followed by flare-ups.

On the eve of December 14, the volcano fell silent after 85 days and 8 hours of blazing, making it La Palma’s longest eruption ever.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the end of the eruption “the best Christmas present”.

“We will continue to work together, all institutions, to revive the beautiful island of La Palma and repair the damage,” he tweeted.

Agriculture and tourism are the main industries in the Canary Islands, a popular destination for many European holidaymakers due to their mild climate.