As someone who has lived through the tumultuous days of the 2021 La Palma volcanic eruption, I can attest to its raw, unforgettable power. The scenes depicted in the Netflix series might seem like pure fiction, but they were all too real for us islanders.
Instead of focusing on Netflix’s popular Top 10 lists filled with holiday animations, seasonal favorites, cheesy Hallmark-style romantic comedies featuring ’00s teen heartthrobs, you might come across a Norwegian miniseries that, surprisingly, may not evoke the usual Christmas cheer due to its winter setting.
Although La Palma initially appears as a blissful sun-drenched retreat ideal for escaping the gloomy winter months, it surprisingly transforms into an intense disaster narrative where the charming Spanish island is unexpectedly invaded by a string of earthquakes and catastrophic volcanic eruptions.
In other words, is the story about the central family of four based on real events? However, it should be noted that this entire cast of characters was actually created by authors Lars Gudmestad and Rosenløw Eeg.
Although the fictional catastrophes in the series aren’t directly linked to any specific real-world disasters, it’s fascinating to note that the actual Canary Island I’m a fan of, has recently been struck by a volcano, spewing lava across its landscape. Here’s a glimpse at what might have fueled the show’s dramatic spark.
When did the eruption start?
The catastrophe traced its origins back to September 19th, 2021 – exactly ten years since the same calamity struck the Canary Islands on El Hierro, and a half century since La Palma endured a similar event.
The event took place along the Cumbre Vieja volcanic ridge, located in the southern part of a well-known summer vacation spot that was already in a state of heightened vigilance due to over 20,000 earthquakes detected within the past week.
As a cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this: In a hurry, I joined the 300 others who were swiftly evacuated from Cabeza de Vaca’s wooded expanse. Later, over 700 more folks, mostly tourists, found themselves vacating the coastal region of Los Llanos de Aridane.
As the volcano grew increasingly violent and widespread, this number continued to increase significantly, leading authorities to escalate the warning level to its maximum, red. However, due to the inherent unpredictability of volcanic activity, scientists were unable to accurately predict when it would cease causing destruction.
What were the effects?
Approximately 700 residents, representing about 10% of La Palma’s total population, were forced to evacuate their homes due to the escalating lava flow. At its widest point, it stretched an impressive 600 meters. The urgency of their departure left many little time to gather belongings, as one resident, Ana Guadalupe González, recounted to Spanish radio: “I had to run away from there and leave behind many possessions, including our pets.
Instead of fleeing, many locals found themselves unable to leave due to the escalating sulphur dioxide levels caused by molten rock falling into the Atlantic Ocean and causing its waters to boil, reaching an astonishing 1000 degrees Celsius. As reported by CSIC, the lava entering the sea also created a small island about 500 meters wide.
Approximately 1300 homes, together with many schools and places of worship, suffered damage or complete destruction. Additionally, the local irrigation networks and roadways took a significant hit as well.
A significant number of banana plantations that contribute significantly to the island’s employment (nearly half of La Palma’s economy) suffered extensive damage. This inevitably led to a substantial decline in tourism as well, with resorts shutting down and flights being cancelled. Consequently, the period reportedly caused an economic loss of approximately £760 million for the island.
As a film enthusiast, I was taken aback when it initially seemed that the disaster had no impact on human lives. The incident itself, as far as reports went, didn’t result in any injuries. Yet, in 2023, a court ruling startled me; a man of 72, discovered within the exclusion zone of El Paso, was found to have perished due to inhalation of toxic gases. This revelation underscores that, unfortunately, the disaster did take a human life after all.
When did it end?
After approximately ten days of tranquility, Spanish officials announced on December 25th that the volcanic activity had ceased, marking the longest such event recorded on the island since records were first kept.
Pedro Sanchez, our prime minister, referred to the recent news as the ‘perfect Christmas gift.’ This announcement arrived 85 days following the initial volcanic eruption, while the one in 1971 only lasted for three weeks.
Together with all the institutions, we plan on collaborating further to revitalize the stunning island of La Palma and restore the damage incurred,” he continued, as they promised around £192 million in aid to assist in the reconstruction efforts.
The effects on the community will persist for a long time, as tourism in this area has been struggling to bounce back: what once attracted 250,000 visitors to the island known as ‘La Isla Bonita’ saw only around 81,000 in 2023.
Resident Isabel Fuentes shared with Spanish television that she was just five years old when the volcano last exploded, and that such a volcanic event is something one never truly recovers from.
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2024-12-19 14:34