A 4.1 magnitude earthquake shook the Canary Islands with residents reporting rooms vibrating and furniture shaking, whilst scientists confirmed the tremor is not linked to Mount Teide volcanic activity
A tremor has shaken two popular holiday destinations, with experts providing a volcanic activity briefing. Residents across Tenerife and Gran Canaria have been advised to remain calm following the 4.1 magnitude earthquake felt by thousands.
Experts confirm the event bears no relation to the seismic activity detected over the past fortnight beneath Tenerife’s Mount Teide – emphasising that a volcanic blast is not imminent.
“In 1989, in this same area, an earthquake of 5.3 was recorded that was felt throughout the island of Tenerife,” said IGN volcanologist Rubén López, who dissociated this earthquake from the recent rebound in seismicity in the Cañadas del Teide area.
Locals described rooms trembling and furnishings rattling when the quake struck today at 12.26pm at a depth of 10km.
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The National Geographic Institute verified the 4.1 magnitude earthquake occurred near the Enmedio Volcano, situated in the waters between Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
The tremor was widely experienced across both islands’ populations. Due to its strength and the depth of its epicentre, the quake prompted countless reports from locals who distinctly felt the ground move.
“It lasted about ten seconds and was more noticeable than ever, moving the whole house,” said one resident of Agaete in Gran Canaria. “It went from less to more. At first it seemed like the closing of a door, but then the whole house moved.”
The National Geographic Institute has catalogued the communities where the earthquake was experienced with different levels of intensity. The tremor didn’t just affect Tenerife but also struck multiple locations across Gran Canaria, being detected in over 100 populated areas throughout the two principal islands.
Among these locations are several popular holiday destinations including Los Cristianos in Tenerife and Las Palmas on Gran Canaria.
No significant material or personal harm has been documented.
Experts are convening once more tomorrow to further examine the thousands of tremors that have been recorded beneath Mount Teide on Tenerife.
They maintain that an eruption isn’t looming in the immediate or intermediate future, as the indicators would be markedly different. Nevertheless, they’re urging all councils across Tenerife to refresh their contingency plans, noting that inhabitants in locations such as Iceland are fully aware of the necessary actions should a volcanic event occur.
Tenerife’s administration states the island possesses the finest and most comprehensive surveillance network and emphasises there’s no reason for alarm amongst anyone.