Wait, is new Netflix disaster series La Palma based on a true story?

I really hope not

2 hours ago

La Palma has just been released on Netflix, and has gone straight into the number one spot. The disaster series has had a mixed reception, but one thing everyone seems to be questioning is if La Palma is based on a true story.

The show follows a Norwegian family vacationing on La Palma. They face disaster when a young researcher discovers alarming signs of an imminent volcanic eruption. So, is this linked to a true story at all?

So, is La Palma on Netflix based on a true story?

In short, La Palma is not based on a true story. But, there are aspects of the show that are very real. Plus, it’s based on a real life theory. La Palma is a real place. It’s one of Spain’s Canary Islands, and is situated off the west coast of Africa. It’s dotted with volcanoes such as Teneguía, and Cumbre Vieja.

Cumbre Vieja has experienced multiple eruptions, and there was one in 2021 which is most parallel to the Netflix show. The eruption happened on the 19th September. 300 people were evacuated from Cabeza de Vaca at first, before 700 more from Los Llanos de Aridane later on. Most of these are reported to have been tourists.

The eruption was then placed as the highest, red alert, and more and more people were told to leave surrounding areas. In total, 7,000 people ended up being forced to flee. The eruption involved both lava flows and ash fall, and was described in reports as “explosive”.

Here’s why the house in Netflix’s No Good Deed looks so incredibly familiar

Lily Phillips shares four gross mistakes she made while sleeping with 100 men in one day

Omg, a MAFS UK scandal has erupted as 2023 bride says she got with Kieran after filming!

1,300 houses are reported to have been either damaged, or completely destroyed. Banana plantations on the island were a huge source of employment for people living there, and they were completely devastated. Damages to the tourist industry are said to have cost the area £760million.

NPR reported damages to “around 3,000 buildings, entombed banana plantations and vineyards, ruined irrigation systems and cut off roads.”

Surprisingly, there were no fatalities or injuries. The danger was officially marked as over on December 25th, three months after the eruption.

The theory the show is based on is that, one day, a Manhattan-sized chunk of the Cumbre Vieja volcano could collapse and fall into the sea. The theory says this could then cause a tsunami, and kill millions of people.

La Palma is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news, drops, quizzes and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.