Earthquake hits Canary Islands vacationer hotspot as Tenerife officers start ‘volcano drills’
The tremor struck at 5.06am local time on Friday and was detected by Spain’s National Geographic Institute (IGN), which said the epicentre was located around five kilometres below the seabed
An earthquake measuring 3.2 on the Richter scale has struck off the coast of Fuerteventura(Image: Getty)
A 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been recorded off the coast of Fuerteventura. The quake occurred at 5.06am local time on Friday, with Spain’s National Geographic Institute (IGN) pinpointing the epicentre around five kilometres beneath the seabed.
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) is also investigating the event and analysing the available data. The region typically experiences earthquakes with an average magnitude of 1.9.
According to IGN, the tremor was weak but may have been felt by locals, especially those indoors. IGN reports that the archipelago has experienced 48 earthquakes within the past 30 days, averaging 1.6 per day. Last week alone saw ten earthquakes, a figure considered typical for the Canary Islands.
Initially, IGN estimated the earthquake’s magnitude at 3.0 and a depth of four kilometres. However, after further analysis of additional seismic data, these measurements were revised to a magnitude of 3.2 and a depth of five kilometres, reports the Express.
As of now, there have been no reports of injuries or damage.
Authorities in the Canary Islands continue to closely monitor seismic activity and ground deformation across the archipelago. Experts have stressed that clusters of earthquakes do not necessarily indicate an increased volcanic threat.
Preparations for volcano drills are underway in Tenerife, also near the epicentre of the quake(Image: Getty Images)
Scientists are particularly focused on monitoring conditions in another area of the Canary Islands archipelago, Tenerife.
In response to growing concerns over increased tremors around Mount Teide, Tenerife Island Council is coordinating emergency drills to assess the island’s readiness for a potential volcanic eruption.
These exercises, simulating various emergency situations, are scheduled to take place in Guía de Isora and La Laguna.
Scientists have also discovered a significant magma reservoir beneath Pico Viejo, one of Mount Teide’s secondary volcanic structures.
However, experts have warned against attributing all recent seismic activities to volcanic activity. The Spanish National Geographic Institute (IGN) previously determined that a series of earthquakes detected north of Punta del Hidalgo on Tenerife’s northern coastline were tectonic rather than volcanic.
At least two of these offshore tremors were felt by residents on land.
