Another 60 small earthquakes detected beneath Mount Teide
More than 60 small earthquakes were recorded beneath Mount Teide in the early hours yesterday morning (Friday), according to the National Geographic Institute (IGN).
A total of 65 seismic events, all with magnitudes below 1.6 mbLg, were detected in the western area of Las Cañadas within Teide National Park in Tenerife. The earthquakes occurred at depths ranging between 8 and 16 kilometres below the surface.
Seismic activity continues overnight
The IGN reported that seismic activity was in the form of long-period (LP) pulses and hybrid seismic events. The most significant pulses in terms of amplitude and duration were recorded at 1:48am and 5:40am.
Despite the increase in activity, experts stress that the events do not indicate an increased risk of an eruption in the short or medium term.
Activity not felt by residents
According to the IGN, none of the seismic signals recorded in recent weeks have been felt by the population of Tenerife, as they have all been of very low magnitude and only detectable by monitoring instruments. To be felt by the public these tremors would need to measure 2.5 mbLg or more.
The activity follows a brief pause after the seventh swarm of small earthquakes recorded in February, when several thousand minor tremors were detected in the same area.
Not considered a seismic swarm
IGN’s director in the Canary Islands, Itahiza Domínguez, explained that the latest events are not considered a new swarm but rather earthquakes with higher-frequency signals similar to those occasionally recorded in the area over the years.
Scientists believe the earlier activity recorded between 7th and 10th February may have been linked to the accumulation of fluids and pressure beneath the volcano, which likely triggered the later clusters of small tremors.
Seismic signals detected at Mount Teide on Friday morning. Source: IGN
Extensive monitoring network
As the organisation responsible for volcanic monitoring in Spain, the IGN operates more than 100 monitoring stations, instruments and sampling points across Tenerife.
This network allows scientists to track seismic activity, ground deformation and geochemical changes in real time, helping authorities detect any anomalies that could indicate changes in volcanic activity in the future.
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