Seismic activity in the Canary Islands It is constantly monitored by both the scientific community and the institutions responsible for citizen security. Since the beginning of the year, Canarian society remains especially attentive Following the experience of the eruption in La Palma, this has increased interest in each new seismic movement detected in the area.
In recent weeks, the island of Tenerife and its surroundings have experienced small earthquakes., along with other events in different parts of the archipelago. Despite the specific concerns raised by the population, experts emphasize that the current situation remains within the normal range for a volcanically active region like the Canary Islands.
The National Geographic Institute clarifies the current situation
According to Itahiza Domínguez, head of the IGN in the Canary Islands, the seismic activity recorded in Tenerife remains within its usual range, with a weekly average of 10 to 15 low-magnitude earthquakes"There are no signs of a rebound or anomalous activity," he said, noting that not even the occasional increases in tremors (about 30 in some weeks) They have been a worrying pattern, since they do not correspond to seismic swarms nor have they been accompanied by other phenomena associated with imminent volcanic risk.
The anomalies detected at the beginning of the year, such as slight gas emissions or minimal deformations in the ground, were rigorously assessed and dismissed as signs of immediate danger. The IGN itself insists on the importance of The population should consult official sources and trust the technical interpretation of experts..
Latest seismic events in the archipelago
Among the recent movements, one stands out: 3.4 magnitude earthquake in the sea between Gran Canaria and Tenerife, located on June 18 at 23 kilometers deep and without any damage or disruption to the daily life of the islands. According to official data, These moderate tremors of submarine origin are frequent in the region due to the combination of volcanic and tectonic activity.
Also in the north of Tenerife, in the area of La Orotava, the IGN has located Nine small earthquakes between magnitudes 0,2 and 1,2 In less than 24 hours, all of them unnoticed by the public and causing no material damage. The stricter surveillance in these areas is due to the succession of low-magnitude events, but to date there are no indications of an earthquake swarm or significant changes in the expected geological behavior.
Over the past month, other minor tremors have been recorded in La Palma, the ocean channel between islands, on Teide or off the coasts of Arico and Gran Canaria; only the earthquake under Teide, located at two kilometers deep, has attracted attention due to its proximity to the surface, but in no case has it triggered alerts.
New methods for seismic detection and analysis
A recent international study led by Canarian scientists and several Spanish institutions has demonstrated the effectiveness of underwater hydrophones to detect seismic events in oceanic volcanic zones such as the Canary Islands. The implementation of these tools in shallow waters around the islands, complements the terrestrial seismic network and allows volcanotectonic seismic signals to be identified with greater precision, even in areas where conventional seismometers have limitations.
During the eruption of the Tajogaite volcano in La Palma, the installation of an underwater acoustic sensor allowed detect and correlate 712 seismic signals with those of the terrestrial network. This method is emerging as a simpler and cheaper alternative for monitoring seismic activity and risk management in island environments, opening a promising avenue for comprehensive monitoring of volcanic and seismic phenomena in the Canary Islands.
Preparation, training and continuous monitoring
Volcanic risk management goes beyond mere scientific monitoring. Volcanic crisis response drills are now part of the institutional calendar, as is the next exercise planned in Garachico (Tenerife), in collaboration with European Civil Protection specialists. The objective is to improve the coordination and effectiveness of the Canary Islands' emergency teams in the face of scenarios that, although unlikely in the short term, can never be ruled out in active volcanic areas.
Furthermore, the formation of citizenship and the dissemination of accurate information through official channels are considered key to reducing uncertainty and providing the population with useful tools in the event of an emergency. The recent experience on La Palma, where the first signs of an eruption were quickly detected, has led to improvements in monitoring methods and institutional preparedness for sudden natural phenomena.
Where can I check seismic activity in real time?
All interested citizens can access up-to-date and rigorous information about earthquakes in the Canary Islands on official portals such as the National Geographic Institute (IGN), the Red Simica National or Canary Volcano Institute (INVOLCAN)These organizations continually publish seismic data, interactive maps, and recommendations for any eventuality.
The joint work between scientific research, permanent surveillance and the reinforcement of prevention training is allowing the Canary Islands Face with greater safety and knowledge the potential risks associated with seismic and volcanic activityIf you want to better understand the {links on how a volcano goes out, you can visit} How does a volcano go out?.
