Lava flow slows after volcanic eruption on Spanish island

Though it was slower than previous days, lava and ash continued to pour from the Cumbre Vieja volcano for a fifth day on Thursday, shooting up to 4,200 meters (13,860 feet) high, according to the Canary Islands Volcanology Institute. The volcanic fire lit up the island in hues of red as it burned throughout the night before.

A satellite image of the Spanish island of La Palma earlier in the week showed lava pluming from the volcano, surrounded by terrains blanketed with a thick layer of toxic ash. The lava has destroyed at least 350 homes, forcing some 7,000 people to evacuate to safety.

Local police officers cordoned off the area and asked journalists to stay away as a precaution. Lava flows and toxic fumes can pose a serious risk to people in close proximity to the volcano, authorities warned.

The eruption has caused a large amount of smoke and has emitted between 8,000 and 10,500 tons of sulfur dioxide a day. Though the gas is foul-smelling and can cause eye and lung irritations, an emergency military unit deployed to the island said it found no serious threat to people's health after analyzing air samples.

Lava flows grew thicker as they gradually slowed. In some places, vast rivers of molten lava rose up as high as 15 meters, AP reported, citing local authorities. The temperature of the lava exceeds 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 Fahrenheit).