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- Ελληνικά
Scientists officially declared the end of the eruption[/B] of La Palma volcano[/B] today, bringing relief to the island's residents 100 days after Cubre Vieja began spewing lava, rocks and ash.
After erupting on September 19, the volcano suddenly went quiet on December 13, but authorities, worried about giving delusional hopes to exhausted residents, waited until Christmas Day to declare an end to the episode.
"What I want to say today can be said in four words: the explosion is over," Canary Islands security chief Julio Perret said during a press conference."
During the explosion, rolling lava engulfed homes, churches and banana plantations that account for half of the island's economy. However, there were no fatalities.
Maria José Blanco, director of the National Geographic Institute of the Canary Islands, said all indications lead to the conclusion that the volcanic eruption's energy was exhausted. But he did not rule out future activation.
About 3,000 homes were destroyed by the lava that now covers an area of 12,190,000 square meters, according to the final tally.
Of the 7,000 people who fled their homes, most have returned to their homes, but many remain uninhabited. As many roads are impassable, some of the banana plantations are now only accessible by sea.
The volcanic roar reminding people that the eruption was underway has subsided, residents are no longer using umbrellas and goggles to protect themselves from the ash, but the giant clean-up and reconstruction operation is just beginning.
Source: in.gr
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