Netflix’s new limited series, La Palma, centers on a vacationing family and several geological researchers who are forced to consider questions of survival when a natural disaster strikes the Canary Islands. The series follows Jennifer and Fredrik and their children as they arrive in La Palma for their Christmas vacation, while, at the same time, geological researchers, Marie and Haukur, realize that data indicates that an eruption could have wide-reaching catastrophic results.

Following in the footsteps of other exciting natural disaster movies and TV shows such as Dante’s Peak and The Impossible, La Palma incorporates both family drama and action. The characters struggle to keep in contact with their loved ones while trying to survive themselves. The new Netflix TV series is exciting and keeps audiences at the edge of their seats. Despite negative reviews from some audience members for its unrealistic plot, the series has become immediately popular as an alternative Christmas watch that takes place around the holiday but is not festive.

La Palma Is Not Based On A True Story

But The Island Setting Is A Real Place

Netflix’s series La Palma is not based on a true story, but La Palma is a real location and there have been eruptions there in the past. La Palma is one of the Canary Islands which are located in the North Atlantic Ocean, and it is a popular vacation spot, so it makes sense that the show would be set there. La Palma takes advantage of the island’s natural beauty and uses its real volcano as a center for disaster.

The most recent eruption of La Palma’s Cumbre Vieja occurred in 2021, but there are eruptions of that ridge dating back to 1470, proving that there is some historical basis for the events of the series.

Furthermore, La Palma’s inspiration from the real eruptions that have occurred on the island helps ground the series with a factual basis on the aftereffects of a natural disaster such as a volcanic eruption. The most recent eruption of La Palma’s Cumbre Vieja occurred in 2021, but there are eruptions of that ridge dating back to 1470, proving that there is some historical basis for the events of the series. Plus, when it comes to natural disaster shows, some level of creative liberty is to be expected to add entertainment value to the show.

La Palma’s Disaster Is Inspired By Real Scientific Research About La Palma’s Volcanic Activity

The Series Is A Dramatization Of Research Findings

Beyond the inspiration taken from the real-life eruptions of Cumbre Vieja, Netflix’s La Palma was also inspired by scientific research surrounding the possibility of a megatsunami following a volcanic eruption. Geologists have hypothesized that material rapidly falling into the ocean could lead to a tsunami that has repercussions as far as the Eastern seaboard of the United States (via University of California, Santa Cruz). Much as depicted in the series, the eruption could lead to waves 50 meters tall crashing upon the coasts of numerous countries.

Cumbre Vieja Eruption
Eruption Date

Montaña Quemada
1470

Tajuya
1585

Volcán Martín
1646

Volcán San Antonio
1677

El Charco
1712

Volcán San Juan
1949

Volcán Teneguía
1971

Tajogaite
2021

Though Netflix’s limited series is modeled on the worst-case scenarios that geologists have theorized, La Palma is undeniably entertaining. Luckily, it seems unlikely that these predictions will actually come to pass since the volcano has only erupted eight times in the last six centuries. However, La Palma‘s depiction of characters fighting to stay safe in horrifying conditions, combined with stunning visuals of the volcano’s eruption, will have audiences hooked and wanting more.