Largest magnitude seismic event ever recorded in Tenerife detected beneath Mount Teide
Experts from the Canary Islands Seismic Network have confirmed the detection of a long-period (LP) seismic event this morning, Friday, in the southwest sector of the Las Cañadas del Teide caldera. The event occurred at approximately 8:20am and was registered at a depth of around 11 kilometres beneath the surface.
Although long-period signals do not allow for a precise calculation of magnitude using standard seismic methods, researchers estimate this event to have reached around 2.2 on the Richter scale.
According to the Canary Islands Volcanology Institute (INVOLCAN), similar LP events have been detected in recent years on Tenerife, along with six swarms of hybrid signals recorded in nearby zones. However, today’s event stands out due to its amplitude, described by scientists as the largest of its kind ever recorded on the island.
LP seismic events are generally linked to the movement of hydrothermal fluids, hot water and gases, circulating within the island’s volcanic system. These phenomena are part of the ongoing pressurisation process of the magmatic-hydrothermal system beneath Mount Teide, which has been monitored continuously since 2016.
Experts emphasise that this type of event does not indicate an imminent eruption, but it is an important sign of subsurface activity and internal changes in the volcanic system. Regular monitoring allows scientists to better understand how heat and pressure evolve beneath Tenerife’s active volcanic structure.
Residents and visitors are reminded that Mount Teide remains under constant surveillance, and there is no cause for alarm, though authorities continue to encourage public awareness and respect for restricted areas within the Teide National Park.
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