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Running of the Santas: Thousands Participate in Volcano Relief Charity Event

Over the weekend, thousands of people rocking Santa costumes took to the streets of Madrid, Spain to participate in a charity run to raise funds for the La Palma residents affected by the Cumbre Vieja volcano eruption.  

According to Reuters, the event took place on Sunday (December 19th) to raise funds for those affected by the three-month volcano eruption. The running Santas took off while fake snow fell along Paseo de la Castellana. Which is a major street through Madrid’s city center. 

The media outlet also revealed that the volcano charity event encouraged runners to wear face masks as a COVID-19 precaution. Teresa, a participant in the race, stated, “You have to try to be careful. Especially close to Christmas.”

Thousands of people who were near the volcano at the beginning of the eruption have been evacuated. But at least 2,910 builds have been destroyed. There is also the devastation of the banana plantations around the volcano as well. Los Llanos de Aridane is one of the major areas experiencing destruction from the natural disaster. The eruption began on September 19th and has continued for more than 90 days. Scientists recently announced that it could finally be coming to an end.

Scientists Are Counting Down to Declare the End of the Cumbre Vieja Volcano Eruption

El Pais reports that while scientists are hopeful that the Cumbre Vieja Volcano eruption is coming to an end sooner rather than later, authorities announced they are waiting until Christmas Day to confirm whether or not the crisis is finally over. 

María José Blanco, the head of the National Geographic Institute (IGN) in the Canaries, shared on Wednesday (December 15th) that both direct observations and measuring station records are suggesting that the volcano is going through a “very low” phase. It seems to be winding down. 

However, Blanco cautioned that a 10-day period must elapse before the end can be confirmed. She also confirmed that there is no evidence of lava flow at the western base of the volcano’s main cone. But drone images show temperatures in the existing lava channels are coming back up to 400 degrees celsius. She noted that it will take time before the channels lose that heat. 

Meanwhile, those affected by the volcano’s long-term eruption are growing frustrated by the day. A taxi driver in Los Llanos de Aridane told the media outlet, “So now what? We’ve been dealing with this for nearly 90 days. In a state of alarm. And now it feels like a part of us is gone.”

A regular at La Tanqueta, located in the center of Los Llanos de Aridane, also commented, “Is it over now? For real? I won’t believe it until the referee signals the end of the game. Because Mister Volcano always does whatever he likes.”