2.2-magnitude earthquake strikes off El Hierro

An earthquake measuring 2.2 on the Richter scale struck the region off El Hierro on Friday. The epicentre was at a depth of 31 kilometres. The tremor was recorded by the Spanish National Geographic Institute (IGN). The instruments recorded the tremor at 5.04 am. The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) confirmed the measurements.

There have been several tremors around the westernmost Canary Island in recent weeks. At the end of August, the IGN recorded a tremor measuring 2.5 near El Hierro. There had also been several earthquakes off the coast of Tenerife. IGN researchers also reported an earthquake at the Enmedio undersea volcano between Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

The IGN recorded 69 earthquakes in the Canary Islands region within 30 days. That was an average of 2.3 earthquakes per day. Over the past seven days, a further 16 earthquakes were recorded, which was also within the normal range. On average, the earthquakes off the Canary Islands reached a magnitude of 2.0. The earthquake near El Hierro was slightly stronger than this. However, experts‘ attention is currently focused on another part of the archipelago.

Tenerife conducts emergency drills on Mount Teide

Experts have recently recorded increasing seismic activity around the Mount Teide. The Tenerife Island Council subsequently announced two emergency drills based on a volcanic eruption scenario. These drills will test various emergency procedures in Guía de Isora and La Laguna. Researchers had previously detected a magma chamber with increasing activity near Mount Teide beneath the Pico Viejo subsidiary volcano.

The Canary Islands are of volcanic origin. Minor tremors are a regular occurrence there. The IGN and the Canary Islands Volcanological Institute (INVOLCAN) continuously monitor seismic activity on the islands. According to seismologists and geologists, a cluster of small earthquakes does not therefore automatically indicate an increased risk. Nevertheless, the experts are monitoring them closely.