7 December 2011
Dr Jo Gottsmann is interviewed by The World on the eruption of a submarine volcano off the coast of the smallest Canary Island, El Hierro.The eruption has been continuing for around a month after a series of earthquakes started in July and has resulted in the extension of El Hierro's land mass. There has been no significant damage due to the on-going activity although a road-tunnel on the island was closed for some time due to fears over its ability to withstand the repeated earthquakes.
A local journalist, Barbara Belt, describes what visitors to the area can see; the sea has turned a rich turquoise colour due to release of gases, activity on the surface of the sea such as pumice floating to the surface. However, she points out that the activity is really quite minor and very far away, yet journalists with their 'zoom lenses' are tending to overly dramatise the events in order to sell papers.
One real impact that is being felt is through the loss of livelihoods. Fishing is one of the main industries being hit, along with tourism, as this is a favoured spot for catching some winter sun. Although Barbara suggests that the locals should consider branching out into volcano-tourism!