1971

1971 is invoked as a geological reference point in the discussion of volcanic activity on La Palma: that year, a new volcano called Teneguia erupted near the island’s southern tip and added several hectares to its land area. The reference makes the island’s volcanic history concrete while underscoring that its landscape can still change through eruption.

Geological Context

The account places the 1971 eruption within a broader description of the Canary Islands as geologically young and volcanically active. La Palma’s ridge is described as a single volcano with numerous vents, and the timing of future activity is uncertain: eruptions may be separated by long intervals, but another could occur at any time.

Significance in the Narrative

The year marks a documented precedent for volcanic change on La Palma, rather than a separate event in the novel’s plot. By noting that Teneguia extended the island by several hectares, the discussion connects volcanic activity to a measurable alteration of the land and frames the ridge as a system whose activity cannot be ruled out simply because eruptions are intermittent.