Seismic activity in the Canary Islands is under constant monitoring by both the scientific community and the institutions responsible for public safety. Since the beginning of the year, the people of the Canary Islands have been particularly vigilant following the eruption on La Palma, which has increased their interest in every new seismic event detected in the area.
In recent weeks, the island of Tenerife and its surrounding area have experienced minor earthquakes , along with other seismic events in different parts of the archipelago. Despite occasional concerns among the population, experts emphasize that the situation is currently within normal parameters for a volcanically active region like the Canary Islands.
The National Geographic Institute clarifies the current situation
According to Itahiza DomÃnguez, head of the National Geographic Institute (IGN) in the Canary Islands , seismic activity in Tenerife remains within its usual range, with a weekly average of 10 to 15 low-magnitude earthquakes . "There are no signs of an increase or any anomalous activity," she assures, noting that even occasional spikes in tremors (around 30 in some weeks) have not constituted a worrying pattern, as 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 ground deformations, were rigorously assessed and ruled out as signs of immediate danger. The National Geographic Institute (IGN) itself emphasizes the importance of the public consulting official sources and trusting the technical interpretation of experts.
Latest seismic events in the archipelago
Among the recent seismic events, a magnitude 3.4 earthquake in the sea between Gran Canaria and Tenerife stands out . Located on June 18th at a depth of 23 kilometers , it caused no damage or disruption to daily life on the islands. According to official data, these moderate tremors of submarine origin are frequent in the region due to a combination of volcanic and tectonic activity.
Also in northern Tenerife, in the La Orotava area, the National Geographic Institute (IGN) has detected nine small earthquakes between magnitudes 0,2 and 1,2 in less than 24 hours, all of which were not felt by the public and caused no material damage. The increased monitoring in these areas is due to the succession of low-magnitude events, but to date there are no indications of a seismic swarm or any significant changes in the expected geological behavior.
During the last month, other minor tremors have been recorded in La Palma, the oceanic channel between islands, on Mount Teide or off the coasts of Arico and Gran Canaria ; only the earthquake under Mount Teide, located two kilometers deep , has attracted attention due to its proximity to the surface, but in no case has it triggered any alerts.
New methods for seismic detection and analysis
A recent international study led by scientists from the Canary Islands and several Spanish institutions has demonstrated the effectiveness of underwater hydrophones in detecting seismic events in oceanic volcanic zones such as the Canary Islands. The deployment of these instruments in shallow waters around the islands complements the terrestrial seismic network and allows for more precise identification of volcanotectonic seismic signals, even in areas where conventional seismometers have limitations.
During the eruption of the Tajogaite volcano on La Palma, the installation of an underwater acoustic sensor detected and correlated 712 seismic signals with those from the terrestrial network. This method is emerging as a simpler and more economical alternative for monitoring seismic activity and managing risks in island environments, opening a promising avenue for the 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, such as the upcoming exercise planned in Garachico (Tenerife), in collaboration with European Civil Protection specialists. The objective is to improve the coordination and effectiveness of Canary Islands emergency teams in the face of scenarios that, while unlikely in the short term, can never be ruled out in active volcanic areas.
On the other hand, educating the public and disseminating accurate information through official channels are considered key to reducing uncertainty and providing the population with useful tools in case of emergency. The recent experience on La Palma, where the first signs of an eruption were detected quickly, has spurred 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 accurate information about earthquakes in the Canary Islands on official websites such as the National Geographic Institute (IGN) , the National Seismic Network , and the Canary Islands Volcanological Institute (INVOLCAN) . These organizations continuously publish seismic data, interactive maps, and recommendations for any eventuality.
The combined efforts of scientific research, continuous monitoring, and enhanced training in prevention are enabling the Canary Islands to face the potential risks associated with seismic and volcanic activity with greater confidence and knowledge . If you want to better understand the links about how a volcano goes out, you can visit How does a volcano go out?
