Netflix’s disaster series La Palma delivers high-stakes drama set against jaw-dropping backdrops, which quickly climbed to the first spot on the streaming site’s Philippine top series since its release.
But what lies behind this four-part series isn’t just fiction. The show’s setting and premise draw heavily from real-life volcanic activity on the picturesque Spanish island of La Palma. Here’s a look at the real island, its volatile history, and the science behind the show’s bold "mega-tsunami" theory.
What Is "La Palma" About?
La Palma centers on a looming volcanic eruption that threatens global catastrophe. When geological researchers Marie (Thea Sofie Loch Næss) and Haukur (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) discover an imminent volcanic collapse, they race to convince their superiors to act, even as tremors rattle the island. Meanwhile, a vacationing family—Fredrik (Anders Baasmo Christiansen), Jennifer (Ingrid Bolsø Berdal), and their two children—find themselves caught in the escalating chaos.
Is La Palma a Real Place?
Yes, La Palma is a very real island and one of the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa. Dubbed the “Isla Bonita” or “Beautiful Island,” La Palma is known for its lush forests, clear waters, and dramatic volcanic terrain, as well as being a stargazing paradise, thanks to its towering peaks and low light pollution.
The series also showcases some of the island’s most iconic locations, including black sand beaches like Playa de la Arena and the Isla Bonita luxury resort, the La Palma Airport and the nearby island of Tenerife.
The Volcanoes of La Palma
While La Palma is fictional, the island itself has a history deeply intertwined with volcanic activity. For example, People.com recalls that the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted recently in 2021, marking its first eruption in 50 years. The eruption wreaked havoc—destroying over 3,000 properties and forcing mass evacuations—but, as The Associated Press reports, no lives were lost. The eruption lasted 85 days, making it the longest in La Palma’s recorded history.
The island’s Cumbre Vieja ridge is one of the most active volcanic zones in the Canary Islands. In addition to its 2021 eruption, Cumbre Vieja previously erupted in 1949 and 1971, underscoring its volatile nature. Today, scientists continue to monitor the ridge closely for seismic activity.
The “mega-tsunami” scenario featured in the show also has roots in real scientific theories. In 2001, People.com cites an academic paper that proposed that a massive collapse of the Cumbre Vieja volcano could trigger waves large enough to impact continents across the Atlantic. However, recent studies, including those from the U.S. Geological Survey, suggest such an event is unlikely. They assert that any volcanic collapse would likely occur in smaller increments, generating more localized waves rather than ocean-spanning disasters.
La Palma is streaming on Netflix.
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