The westerner of the Canary Islands is known for being a mythical destination for scuba divers. During the last weeks the proverbial calm of its sea beds have been disturbed by a feared phenomenon: a volcanic eruption.
The earthquake warning under which the inhabitants of the island have been since July has materialised in the news of a volcano erupting on the nearby seabed of La Restinga - a small town on the island's south coast that incidentally offers the best diving spots.
The situation hasn't been too dramatic. Although the approximately 600 inhabitants of the fishing port were evacuated last week, the inland territory hasn't suffer any damage.
All the activity has occurred underwater. The first focuses of the eruption were located kilometres away from the shore and at several hundred of metres under the water surface, to then get closer to the island and at only 150m deep.
In the next days (or months) the eruption is expected to culminate with a several hundred metres high column of vapour. The new material coming from the core of the earth might produce a little new island close to El Hierro or even a peninsula if the magma gets to contact the shore.
It seem like the danger for the population will be over soon, which is good news for the people of El Hierro, but also for the legion of scuba diving and snorkelling fans that come to the island.
But, what does it make El Hierro so special? Firstly its geographic position: at the edge of the shallow African seabed platform and the biggest depths of the Atlantic ocean. The borderline situation of the island brings the possibility of encounter big migratory animals alongside residents fish.
An average water temperature 21º C all year round also facilitates the coexistence of tropical and Mediterranean species.
However, the most striking factor is the volcanic morphology of the island and its surrounding sea beds: you can reach unbelievable depths and still being quite close to the shore.
The clarity of its waters is another rewarded characteristic of El Hierro - not many people live in the island and its industrialisation is minimal, which means there is virtually no pollution.
Those who can wait to enjoy the underwater sights of the island might be anxious to know how the whole story with the volcanic eruptions is going to end up. I bet that many are dreaming of a majestic new underwater landscape easy to reach just with a pair goggles and swimming fins. Time will tell.
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