Seismic Activity at Teide Volcano Signals Possible New Phase in Tenerife

Recent seismic activity at Las Cañadas del Teide in Tenerife has raised concerns among experts regarding the volcano’s behavior.

Increased Seismic Swarms Observed

In just one week, three distinct seismic swarms have been recorded, prompting Itahiza Domínguez, the director of the National Geographic Institute (IGN) in the Canary Islands, to suggest that the volcanic system may have entered a “new phase.” During a recent meeting of the scientific committee known as Pevolca, Domínguez noted that while the frequency of these seismic events has increased, it remains uncertain whether this trend will continue or diminish.

Despite the uptick in activity, Domínguez emphasized that the likelihood of an eruption occurring in the short to medium term has not changed. He stated, “We are seeing more activity, but the likelihood remains the same,” indicating that the current seismic events do not necessarily correlate with an imminent volcanic eruption.

Characteristics of the Recent Earthquakes

The seismic swarms consist primarily of low-magnitude tremors, many of which have magnitudes below 0.7 to 0.8, making them difficult to detect. The latest swarm, which began on a Wednesday and continued into the following day, exhibited a “slightly greater amplitude” but still fell within a low-level range.

Domínguez cautioned against drawing parallels between the current activity at Teide and past eruptions on other islands, such as La Palma or El Hierro, due to the unique structural characteristics of Tenerife’s volcanic system. He explained that Tenerife’s central system complicates the situation, as the island typically experiences around a thousand earthquakes annually in this region, a phenomenon not observed elsewhere.

Monitoring and Public Communication

The recent increase in seismic activity may suggest a change in the volcanic system’s behavior, but scientists are still unable to predict whether this will be a lasting trend. Tenerife is equipped with a comprehensive monitoring network, featuring over 100 surveillance stations operated by the IGN, Involcan, and other organizations. This extensive system allows for the detection of seismic activity that would have gone unnoticed in the past.

Domínguez urged the public to rely on official information sources to avoid the spread of misinformation. He stated, “We work so people understand what is happening, but we do not have 100% of the answers. That’s when rumours appear.” The Scientific Committee of Evaluation (CCES) convened to review the seismic activity recorded since February 7, confirming that there is no increased risk of a volcanic eruption in the near future.

Since early February, scientists have identified several sequences of low-frequency seismic events and three hybrid-type swarms, each consisting of hundreds of minor quakes. No significant changes in gas emissions or ground deformation, which are critical indicators of rising magma, have been observed.

Approximately 100 low-frequency quakes have been detected west of Las Cañadas at depths of 10 to 12 kilometers. This type of seismic activity, associated with fluid movement, has been sporadically noted since 2016 but has not occurred in such sustained episodes until now.

The three swarms, all located at depths of 8 to 9 kilometers west of Las Cañadas, included over 400 events on February 12 and 13, at least 1,400 on February 16 and 17, and more than 1,000 in the ongoing swarm that began on February 18. None of these seismic events have been felt by the local population.

The CCES will continue to monitor the situation closely and enhance surveillance efforts to ensure the safety and awareness of the island’s residents regarding potential volcanic activity.

Key points

• Three seismic swarms have occurred in one week at Las Cañadas del Teide.
• Experts suggest a potential new phase in volcanic activity, but eruption likelihood remains unchanged.
• The recent swarms consist of low-magnitude tremors, primarily below 0.8.
• Tenerife’s volcanic system is structurally different from those of La Palma and El Hierro.
• Over 100 monitoring stations are in place to track seismic activity.
• No significant changes in gas emissions or ground deformation have been detected.
• The public is encouraged to rely on official sources for information regarding volcanic activity.