Volcano erupts in the Canary Islands - in pictures

  • Lava flows next to a house after the eruption of a volcano on the Canary Island of La Palma. Reuters
    Lava flows next to a house after the eruption of a volcano on the Canary Island of La Palma. Reuters
  • The volcano erupts in the Cumbre Vieja national park at El Paso, La Palma. Reuters
    The volcano erupts in the Cumbre Vieja national park at El Paso, La Palma. Reuters
  • La Palma, with a population of 85,000, is one of eight islands in Spain's Canary Islands archipelago. Reuters
    La Palma, with a population of 85,000, is one of eight islands in Spain's Canary Islands archipelago. Reuters
  • The volcano had been dormant for 50 years. Reuters
    The volcano had been dormant for 50 years. Reuters
  • Huge plumes of black-and-white smoke shoot out of the volcano. EPA
    Huge plumes of black-and-white smoke shoot out of the volcano. EPA
  • The area experienced hundreds of small earthquakes during the week as magma pressed the subsoil on its way out. AFP
    The area experienced hundreds of small earthquakes during the week as magma pressed the subsoil on its way out. AFP
  • Authorities ordered thousands of residents to leave as lava flows destroyed isolated houses and threatened to reach the coast. AP
    Authorities ordered thousands of residents to leave as lava flows destroyed isolated houses and threatened to reach the coast. AP
  • New eruptions continued into the night. AP
    New eruptions continued into the night. AP
  • The area near the southern tip of the island is sparsely populated. AP
    The area near the southern tip of the island is sparsely populated. AP
  • Part of the island's south-west coast was at risk of landslides and rock falls, authorities said. EPA
    Part of the island's south-west coast was at risk of landslides and rock falls, authorities said. EPA