Scientific Committee Analyses Teide Seismic Activity
The scientific committee of the Canary Islands Volcanic Emergency Plan (Pevolca) met on Friday to analyse the seven seismic swarms detected in the last month under Mount Teide on Tenerife. Their initial conclusions indicate that this situation does not, for now, imply an increased probability of a volcanic eruption in the short or medium term. However, it confirms the upward trend in anomalous activity detected since 2016.
No Changes in Ground Deformation or Gas Emissions
This was the third Pevolca meeting since several seismic events began in the western area of Las Cañadas del Teide in early February. The committee indicates that no changes in ground deformation have been recorded in relation to this activity. Furthermore, results from recent geochemical surveys reflect that gas emissions have decreased.
Details of the Low-Frequency Seismic Signals
Between 7 February and the date of the report, several series of low-frequency seismic events were recorded west of Las Cañadas, at depths of between 7 and 9 kilometres. According to the committee, this type of signal, typically associated with the movement of fluids inside the volcanic structure, has been observed sporadically since 2016. However, on this occasion, it presents a duration and continuity not previously documented on the island.
For Pevolca, the most notable episode occurred on Tuesday, 10 February, when a continuous low-frequency signal was recorded, reaching its maximum intensity between 8:45 and 10:15.
Four Hybrid Earthquake Swarms in Eight Days
In addition to this seismicity, four swarms of hybrid earthquakes have been detected in the last eight days, also located west of Las Cañadas at similar depths of around 7 to 9 kilometres.
The first took place between 23:00 on 18 February and 07:00 on 20 February, with around 2,500 very low-magnitude events. The second developed between 20:00 on 21 February and 13:30 on 22 February, with at least 800 earthquakes organised into two distinct phases of activity. The third began at 00:15 on 23 February and lasted until 09:00 on 24 February, with three distinct families of seismic events identified within it. The fourth was recorded between 18:00 on 24 February and 18:00 on 25 February in the form of successive pulses.
Pevolca maintains that, despite the high number of earthquakes, all these swarms consist of very low-magnitude events that have not been felt by the population.
Unrelated Magnitude 4.1 Earthquake Felt by Residents
Alongside this activity, a magnitude 4.1 mbLg earthquake was recorded on Thursday, 26 February. It was located at a depth of 15 kilometres between the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria and was felt by the population. According to the committee’s analysis, this earthquake does not appear to be directly related to the swarms and low-frequency seismicity concentrated under the Las Cañadas del Teide area.
Vigilance Maintained Amid Long-Term Trend
With the information available up to Friday, experts conclude that the recorded events do not imply an increased probability of a volcanic eruption on Tenerife in the short or medium term—that is, in the coming weeks or months. Nevertheless, they emphasise that the anomalous volcanic activity observed since 2016 continues to increase. Therefore, the scientific committee continues to analyse in detail the evolution of this activity and is reinforcing volcanic surveillance.
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