Seismic activity has intensified once again beneath Tenerife. Since late Wednesday night, monitoring instruments operated by the National Geographic Institute (IGN) have detected a significant increase in tremors beneath Las Cañadas del Teide, with a total of 114 earthquakes recorded within just a few hours.
Although the number may appear striking, experts stress that this episode falls within the normal parameters of an active volcanic island and does not indicate any short- or medium-term risk of eruption.
When and Where the Activity Occurred
The seismic sequence began at approximately 11:20 p.m. on Wednesday and continued into the early hours of Thursday morning. According to data published through the IGN’s seismic monitoring system, the earthquakes were located at depths between 8 and 14 kilometres beneath the surface.
The two strongest tremors reached a magnitude of 1.6 mbLg. At this level of intensity, the movements are too weak to be felt by residents and can only be detected through specialised volcanic monitoring equipment distributed across the island.
How This Differs from February’s Seismic Swarms
This latest uptick follows a relatively calm week after seven seismic swarms were recorded in February. However, the director of the IGN in the Canary Islands, Itahiza Domínguez, has explained that the current episode differs from those earlier events.
According to Domínguez, the newly recorded earthquakes display higher high-frequency content, similar to tremors that have periodically occurred in the same area for years. In contrast, February’s swarms were likely associated with the accumulation of fluids and temporary overpressure within the volcanic system.
In other words, while the February activity may have reflected fluid dynamics beneath the volcano, the present sequence is considered part of the area’s background seismic behaviour.
No Indication of an Imminent Eruption
The IGN has emphasised a clear message of reassurance. Neither the February swarms nor this recent cluster of earthquakes are regarded as precursors to an imminent eruptive process.
According to the institute, there are currently no signs pointing to magmatic intrusion or any development that would suggest an eruption in the coming weeks or months. Tenerife remains in a normal monitoring state, and such episodes primarily serve to confirm the proper functioning and sensitivity of the island’s surveillance network.
Key Figures from the Seismic Episode
- Total earthquakes recorded: 114
- Maximum magnitude: 1.6 mbLg
- Depth range: 8–14 kilometres
- Perceptibility: Not felt by the population
- Volcanic risk: None indicated
While seismic fluctuations beneath Teide often attract public attention, scientists reiterate that moderate background activity is characteristic of volcanic regions. For now, the data points to routine subterranean dynamics rather than any escalation in volcanic hazard.
