Shallow Earthquakes Prompt Monitoring Amid Volcanic Landscape

A series of tremors struck Tenerife, with the southern region of the island experiencing seismic activity. The National Geographic Institute documented a total of 11 minor earthquakes during the early hours of Thursday morning. Additionally, six tremors, reaching a magnitude of up to 2.4, were recorded in Santa Cruz within the preceding 24 hours.

All of these tremors occurred at shallow depths, ranging from zero to 13 kilometers below the surface. The shallow nature of these earthquakes is noteworthy because it means the seismic waves have a shorter distance to travel before reaching the ground. This can result in strong shaking and potential damage to structures, even from moderate quakes, as the energy doesn't dissipate significantly. Such shallow events are often associated with tectonic activity along fault lines or, in volcanic regions, can indicate magma movement or changes in geothermal systems, potentially serving as early indicators of eruptions.

Tenerife, a volcanic island, is dominated by the Teide stratovolcano, the highest point in Spain. Mount Teide stands at 3,718 meters above sea level, and when measured from its base on the ocean floor, it ranks as the world's third-highest volcano. Despite its size, the volcano is geologically relatively young, approximately 200,000 years old. The last eruption on Tenerife occurred in 1909 at the Chinyero volcano.

Tenerife is the most seismically active island in the Canaries, experiencing an average of 1000 to 1200 earthquakes annually. The most recent significant earthquake occurred on November 3, 2021, with a magnitude of 4.9. A stronger earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.2, was felt across Tenerife and Gran Canaria on May 9, 1989.