Tenerife encountered a total of 84 earthquakes during the recent weekend, prompting authorities to activate a disaster response plan. The National Geographic Institute (IGN) confirmed that the seismic activity was concentrated in the western part of Las Canadas on the island.
Out of the 84 earthquakes, around 59 were precisely located, with most of them occurring near Mount Teide. Notably, two low-frequency pulses were detected around the Canary Island.
The first pulse took place between 1:30 am and 5:30 am on Saturday, followed by the second pulse between 7:30 am and 10:30 am on Sunday. Both seismic events were recorded at depths ranging from eight to 21km below Las Canadas, each registering low magnitudes.
The IGN cautioned that these figures are provisional and could change. However, they emphasized that the earthquake activity does not suggest an imminent risk of a volcanic eruption in the coming weeks or months, as reported by Canarias7.
In response to the seismic activity, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Council has initiated preparations for a contingency plan in case of an eruption. A specialized technical team has been established to develop an emergency plan to enhance the city’s preparedness, ensuring the provision of shelter and essential services.
Although the city is currently equipped to handle a moderate emergency, concerns remain regarding the potential challenges posed by a major eruption. Mayor Jose Manuel Bermudez expressed uncertainty about the timing and nature of a potential eruption, highlighting the abnormality of the volcanic developments on the island as indicated by scientists.
Through a network of over 100 monitoring stations and sampling points across Tenerife, the IGN maintains continuous surveillance of seismic activity in Spain. This allows scientists to conduct real-time monitoring to detect any changes in seismic patterns, ground deformations, or geochemical indicators. Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, is surrounded by volcanic activity.
While the mayor has voiced readiness concerns, Rosa Davila, the president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, has dismissed speculations about potential volcanic events. The 1909 eruption of Mount Teide resulted in minor damage, whereas the 1706 eruption reportedly destroyed a town and the main port of Garachico.
In light of the recent seismic activity, the local National Geographic Institute spokesperson noted that the situation is being closely monitored for any developments.
