Volcano exposed: How to interpret the signs of the La Palma eruption
Context
This explainer interprets eruption indicators in La Palma—seismicity, tremor, and deformation—to clarify what each signal suggests about volcanic evolution. I translated monitoring data into visual layers that helped readers follow expert interpretation without oversimplifying uncertainty.
My role
- Data analysis
- Cartography
I translated monitoring and seismic datasets into a visual narrative that made expert interpretation understandable without hiding scientific uncertainty.
I worked in close collaboration with Mariano Zafra and Javi Salas to align scientific reporting, data analysis, and visual communication.
Data and methodology
The piece combined expert consultation with data exploration and schematic storytelling to explain what was happening beneath the island during the eruption.
We built a 3D representation of La Palma and plotted earthquake events in three dimensions at different depths to reveal spatial and temporal patterns in subsurface activity.
R-based analysis and plotting workflows were integrated directly into publishable graphic outputs.
Key decisions
- We prioritized explanatory clarity over strict visual realism, because the main goal was conceptual understanding of volcanic signals.
- The visual system was designed to separate indicators and interpretation steps so readers could follow causality without technical overload.
- Depth and sequence cues were emphasized to connect subsurface processes with observable surface consequences.
Result
The final article offered a clear, layered interpretation of eruption diagnostics, helping readers understand what different monitoring signals meant in practical terms.
Impact and learnings
- The project strengthened our ability to combine scientific reporting with data-driven visual explanation during active-risk coverage.
- It also consolidated a reusable workflow linking R analysis, 3D territorial representation, and newsroom-ready graphics.