Another earthquake strikes off Teneriffa's north coast

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Off the coast of Tenerife, the earth trembled on Monday morning with a magnitude of 2.0 at a depth of 13 kilometres.
The IGN has recorded 68 earthquakes in the region over the past 30 days and has classified an earlier series off Tenerife as tectonic.
Due to slightly increased activity around Mount Teide, the Island Council is planning two emergency drills in Guía de Isora and La Laguna.

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An earthquake measuring 2.0 on the Richter scale was recorded on Monday morning, 30 kilometres off the coast of Tenerife. At 7.26 am local time, the Spanish National Geographic Institute (IGN) recorded the tremor at a depth of 13 kilometres. The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) has since confirmed the data.

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The Canary Islands are of volcanic origin. Low levels of seismic activity are considered normal there. The IGN most recently recorded 68 earthquakes in the region over the past 30 days. That is an average of 2.3 per day. The average magnitude was most recently 1.9 and has therefore remained constant.

Seismologists in the Canary Islands have recorded a total of 13 minor earthquakes over the past seven days. According to our data, this is in line with the usual number. The situation is different when it comes to magnitude: a quake at the end of August was significantly stronger. In the same sea area off Tenerife, two tremors occurred at the same location within a very short space of time, both registering higher magnitudes.

IGN classified a previous series of earthquakes off Tenerife as tectonic

The IGN had classified these earthquakes north of Punta del Hidalgo as being of tectonic origin. At that time, more than ten earthquakes off Tenerife were recorded, at least two of which were felt on land. The 3.6-magnitude earthquake off Tenerife was one of the strongest events during this phase.

For seismologists and geologists in the Canary Islands, multiple earthquakes or earthquake swarms do not automatically indicate an increased risk. However, they are being monitored on an ongoing basis.

Around Mount Teide, the monitoring networks of the IGN and the INVOLCAN Institute have recently recorded a slight increase in activity. The Tenerife Island Council has therefore announced two emergency drills simulating a volcanic eruption, including in Guía de Isora and La Laguna. Volcanic monitoring has also been stepped up. However, the IGN branch in the Canary Islands has stated that there is expressly no cause for immediate concern.