A huge cloud was seen billowing from the water after red-hot lava from a volcano that erupted on a Spanish island reached the Atlantic Ocean.
An eyewitness said the lava, which had begun flowing after the eruption on the island of La Palma had reached the waters on Tuesday night.
It had started to flow nine days ago, sparking a warning from emergency services about the possibility of explosions and toxic gases being sent soaring into the air.
Earlier, scientists said that the clash between the coming lava and the water would produce plumes of vapour which were loaded with hydrochloric acid.
About 300 local residents in the coastal areas of San Borondon, Marina Alta and Baja and La Condesa had been confined to their homes ahead of the moment of contact which could trigger explosions and emit clouds of chlorine gas.
As eruptions continued, people have been urged to stay at home, keeping their doors and windows closed while the situation is monitored.
Spain's government has already classified La Palma as a disaster zone, triggering emergency subsidies and other support measures.
The government announced a first package of 10.5 million euros (£8.6 million), which includes around 5 million euros (£4.3 million) to buy houses, with the rest to acquire furniture and essential household goods, government spokesperson Isabel Rodriguez said.
Lava had been slowly flowing down the volcano's western side toward the sea since September 19.
It destroyed almost 600 houses as well as churches and banana plantations in La Palma, which neighbours Tenerife in the Canary Islands archipelago off North Africa.
Local airline Binter, which had planned to resume flights to and from the islands on Monday afternoon, said conditions were still unsafe and that all transfers would be cancelled until Tuesday.
No fatalities or serious injuries have been reported, but about 15% of the island's banana crop could be at risk, jeopardising thousands of jobs.
