Area Las CaƱadas del Teide, in Tenerife, has once again come into the spotlight of the Spanish volcanic monitoring Following a weekend marked by an increase in low-magnitude seismicity, sensors deployed by the National Geographic Institute (IGN) have recorded dozens of micro-earthquakes which, despite their number, have not been noticeable to the population.
According to official reports, it is a unusual but low-intensity seismic-volcanic activity, which gives continuity to episode started in February beneath the island of Tenerife. Specialists emphasize that this behavior falls within the expected scenarios for an active volcanic system like Teide and that, for now, This does not imply changes in the level of risk for the citizens.
84 earthquakes detected and 59 located in Las CaƱadas
Over the past weekend, the The National Geographic Institute has recorded 84 seismic events in the western part of Las CaƱadas del Teide. Of all of them, the analysis teams they have been able to accurately locate 59 earthquakes, thanks to the automatic detection system and the subsequent manual processing of the data.
The recorded signals show magnitudes lower than 1,8 mbLgThat is, they are located in the range of microseismsimpossible to detect without advanced instrumentation. For this reason, No reports have been received from residents who felt tremors. associated with this activity, something consistent with the values āāof energy released.
Regarding the location at depth, the seismic foci are found between 8 and 21 kilometers below the surfaceThis interval is very similar to that observed in previous weeks, indicating that the process continues to develop. intermediate levels of the cortex and not in very shallow areas where surveillance would become even tighter.
IGN itself points out that, due to the weakness of many of the signalsThe values āāpublished so far are provisional. A more detailed review, using more refined analytical methods, could increase the number of interacted events and slightly adjust the range of magnitudes, without this implying relevant changes for the general interpretation of the phenomenon.
The figures released are part of the ongoing monitoring of the episode that began in February, and are interpreted as a continuation of the same seismic-volcanic phasewhere weak and scattered records predominate.
Low-frequency pulses concentrated on the weekend
Among the events detected, specialists highlight two well-defined pulses of seismic activity over the weekend. These pulses are characterized by low-frequency events (known as LPs) accompanied by dozens of hybrid phenomena that are interspersed with them.
The first period of increased activity took place in the early hours of Saturdayapproximately between 1:30 and 5:30 a.m. A significant number of low-frequency signals were concentrated in that area, under the Las CaƱadas del Teide zone.
The second pulse was recorded during Sunday morningBetween 7:30 and 10:30 a.m., following a similar pattern: predominance of LP earthquakes and hybrid events, all of them weak and at depths between the 8 and the 21 kilometers.
The IGN technicians point out that, despite having been detected dozens of events of this typeThe signals do not show a clear periodicity or sufficient common features to classify them as repetitive seismic swarmsIn other words, these are isolated episodes, concentrated in time, but without the typical organization of a swarm associated with an imminent eruptive process.
This pattern of behavior, with alternating pulses of activity and pauses, fits with a scenario of moderate reactivation of the seismovolcanic system Under the island, where variations in intensity can occur from week to week without necessarily implying a worsening of the threat level.
Unusual seismic-volcanic activity, but weaker than in previous days
The current episode is part of the unusual seismic-volcanic activity under Tenerife which began in February 2026. Since then, the island has remained under a reinforced surveillance by scientific bodies, which have been reporting fluctuations in the intensity of the records.
Data from the last few days indicate that seismic activity continues, but at a weaker level than the previous weekIn other words, the number of events and the energy released are somewhat lower, although the situation continues to be monitored daily to detect any significant changes.
In the interval approximately between March 13 and 16, the automated systems have identified dozens of hybrid events and low-frequency pulses centered mainly over Las CaƱadas del Teide. These recordings complete the activity map that scientists use to modeling the behavior of the volcanic system in the subsoil of the island.
The detected earthquakes are considered microseisms due to their small magnitudeThis reinforces the idea that we are facing an episode that, although anomalous compared to other periods of calm, is unfolding within a moderate energy range. So far No signs have been observed that point to a sudden change in the internal dynamics that could reflect a rapid ascent of magma towards the surface.
The IGN reminds us that the magnitude values āāprovided, all of them less than 1,8 mbLg, fit within the levels that are considered normal in many active volcanic areasespecially when going through phases of internal reorganization of the system.
No indication of an increased risk of eruption in the short or medium term
One of the messages that IGN has been clearest about is that This seismic activity does not imply an increased risk of eruption. in the short or medium term, that is, in weeks or months. The recorded LP and hybrid events are part of the internal dynamics of the volcanic system, but They do not currently show patterns consistent with an imminent eruption..
Experts explain that, in order to consider that the eruptive risk is increasing significantly, it would be necessary to observe simultaneous changes in different parameters: a sustained increase in seismicity, notable modifications in the deformation of the terrain, variations in the composition of volcanic gases and thermal alterations, among other indicators.
In the current situation, the observations are mainly reduced to low-frequency microseismic pulses at a certain depth, without being accompanied by anomalous deformations or geochemical signals that point to a shallow magmatic intrusion. This allows those responsible for monitoring to maintain alert levels in an informational stadium, without the need to activate extraordinary measures.
Even so, the organization insists on the importance of Continue to monitor the area constantlySince volcanic systems can exhibit changes in their behavior over relatively short periods, experience in other volcanic regions of Europe and the world demonstrates that early detection of any variation It is key to being able to anticipate possible risk scenarios.
For now, authorities recommend that the public stay informed through official channels and scientific sourcesavoiding rumors or alarmist interpretations that do not correspond to the available data.
Network of more than 100 stations to monitor Mount Teide in real time
As the person responsible for volcanic monitoring throughout Spanish territoryThe IGN has a particularly dense technical infrastructure in Tenerife. A network is deployed on the island. network of more than 100 stations, equipment and fixed sampling points that allow continuous monitoring of the activity of the Teide system and its surroundings.
These stations record parameters such as seismicity, ground deformations, and geochemistryincluding measurements of gases and other indicators related to volcanic dynamics. The information is transmitted in real time to analysis centers, where technicians can quickly assess any abnormality which might suggest a change in the level of danger.
The combination of this instrumental network with the available scientific models makes it possible to carry out a comprehensive real-time monitoring of what is happening beneath the island. In this way, any significant variation in the system's behavior could be quickly identified, allowing the authorities activate civil protection protocols if necessary.
Spain thus aligns itself with other European countries with active volcanic systems, where investment in dense and technologically advanced observation networks This is considered fundamental to reducing vulnerability to potential eruptions. In the case of Tenerife, this monitoring capacity is especially relevant, given the island's importance to tourism and its population within the archipelago.
At this time, all the information gathered by the network of stations reinforces the idea that The current episode is part of an internal adjustment phase of the volcanic system, with no signs that would require modifying the alert levels or the general recommendations to the population.
With the assessment of the last few days in hand, the picture painted by scientists is that persistent but moderate seismic-volcanic activity Beneath Las CaƱadas del Teide: 84 events detected, 59 earthquakes located, magnitudes below 1,8 mbLg and foci between 8 and 21 kilometers deep, concentrated in two low-frequency pulses. All this, under the supervision of a network of more than 100 stations that confirms that, despite the anomaly with respect to periods of calm, There is no indication of an increased risk of eruption in the short or medium term. and that the situation remains within the expected scenarios for an active volcano like Teide.
