Earthquake off Tenerife is stronger than the monthly average

There was an earthquake off the coast of Tenerife. On Thursday at 10.13 pm, the Spanish National Geographic Institute (IGN) recorded a 2.8-magnitude tremor that occurred around 30 kilometres from the island; the hypocentre was at a depth of 33 kilometres.

A good three and a half hours later, the next tremor struck: at 1.41 am on Friday, the IGN recorded a magnitude 2.4 tremor about 20 kilometres off Tenerife, with its epicentre at a depth of 15 kilometres. Compared with the stronger tremor the previous evening, this second one was therefore closer to the island and considerably shallower.

Both tremors were above the average most recently calculated by the IGN for earthquakes in the Canary Islands. The institute’s monthly report shows how many earthquakes it recorded across all the Canary Islands in recent weeks.

Canary Islands: Monthly report shows daily seismic activity

Over the past 30 days, the IGN has recorded 49 earthquakes in the Canary Islands – an average of 1.6 per day – with an average magnitude of 2.0. Nine of these occurred in the last seven days, which is within the usual range. These figures relate to the entire archipelago, not just the sea area around Tenerife.

Minor earthquakes occur regularly in the Canary Islands, as the islands are of volcanic origin. The IGN and the Canary Islands Volcanological Institute (INVOLCAN) monitor seismic activity on an ongoing basis. According to seismologists, several earthquakes in quick succession do not automatically indicate a higher risk, but experts are keeping a close eye on such sequences. In preparation for the eventuality of an eruption, the authorities recently carried out an drill simulating a volcanic eruption in the south of Tenerife, during which they evacuated residents and tourists.

Earlier, at 2.59 pm on Thursday, the IGN had recorded an earthquake near El Hierro with a magnitude of 2.4; the epicentre was 12 kilometres deep. On Thursday at 8.36 am, the earth trembled near Tenerife with a magnitude of 2.0 at a depth of 32 kilometres. On Wednesday at 9.36 pm, the stations recorded an earthquake around 20 kilometres off the coast of Tenerife with a magnitude of 2.1; its hypocentre was 16 kilometres deep.