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- An earthquake measuring 2.4 on the Richter scale occurred near El Hierro at 1.31 am on Tuesday.
- The epicentre of the earthquake was 33 kilometres below the Earth's surface.
- The IGN has recorded 54 earthquakes in the Canary Islands over the past 30 days and classifies the activity as normal.
An earthquake measuring 2.4 on the Richter scale has struck near El Hierro in the Canary Islands. It occurred at 1.31 am on Tuesday. Its epicentre was 33 kilometres below the Earth’s surface.
The recording of the earthquake comes from the Spanish National Geographic Institute (IGN). The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre analyses the data provided by the IGN.
The IGN recorded 54 earthquakes in the Canary Islands over the past 30 days. This equated to an average of 1.8 earthquakes per day. Over the past seven days, the institute reported 13 tremors. The number was within the normal range. The average magnitude of all the recorded earthquakes was 1.9. At the end of August, the institute had already recorded a 2.5-magnitude earthquake off the coast of El Hierro.
Canary Islands: Volcanic origins explain regular seismic activity
The Canary Islands are of volcanic origin. Experts therefore continuously record minor seismic activity. The director of the IGN in the Canary Islands, Itahiza Dominguez, previously commented on the readings: «The entire region of the Canary Islands is prone to earthquakes from time to time.»
IGN researchers had previously also reported a tremor at the Enmedio undersea volcano between Tenerife and Gran Canaria. In addition, a magma chamber and increasing activity were detected beneath the Pico Viejo subsidiary volcano near Mount Teide. The most recent measurements also include two earthquakes off the coast of Tenerife within a matter of hours.
«Earthquake near El Hierro centred 33 kilometres underground»
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