Involcan detects ‘significant’ level of seismic activity in Tenerife
The Canary Islands Seismic Network, operated by the Volcanology Institute of the Canary Islands (Involcan), has recorded a “significant” level of seismic activity across Tenerife in the last few days. Although this represents “slightly higher than average” activity, Involcan stresses that it is not unusual for the island.
On 26th January 2026, a total of 59 tremors were detected, with a maximum magnitude of 1.7. Their epicentres were located in the southwest sector of the Las Cañadas caldera (Teide National Park) at an average depth of 11.5km.
The following day, 33 earthquakes were recorded, the strongest reaching magnitude 1.8, again in the same area at around 12.5km depth.
Over the past year alone, Tenerife has registered 2,320 earthquakes, an average of 6.35 per day, most of them extremely small. These latest tremors fall within a zone known for “recurrent” seismic activity and do not deviate from established patterns.
According to Involcan, the earthquakes are “very likely” linked to the movement of hydrothermal fluids beneath the island. This activity forms part of an ongoing process of pressurisation within the magmatic–hydrothermal system that has been observed since late 2016.
What does this mean for volcanic risk?
Involcan is clear that this seismic episode does not indicate any increase in the likelihood of a volcanic eruption in either the short or medium term. The risk level remains low.
However, the institute highlights that Tenerife has experienced around 130 seismic swarms since 2016, along with significant increases in diffuse CO₂ emissions at the Teide crater, the main point of visible volcanic gas release on the island. These long-term trends “clearly indicate that volcanic activity at depth in Tenerife has undergone important changes over the past nine years.”
In summary, while the current swarm does not raise the probability of an eruption, it does reinforce ongoing scientific evidence that deeper volcanic activity beneath Tenerife continues to evolve and shows no sign of diminishing.
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