Tenerife was struck by a series of 84 earthquakes during the weekend, leading authorities to activate a disaster response plan. The National Geographic Institute (IGN) confirmed that the seismic activity was centered in the western part of Las Canadas on the island.

Out of the 84 earthquakes, approximately 59 were accurately pinpointed near Mount Teide. The most significant events included two low-frequency pulses around the Canary Island.

The first pulse occurred between 1:30 am and 5:30 am on Saturday, with the second one recorded between 7:30 am and 10:30 am on Sunday. These seismic activities were detected at depths ranging from eight to 21km below Las Canadas, each registering low magnitudes.

Although the IGN mentioned that the reported figures are preliminary and subject to change, they emphasized that these earthquakes do not signal an imminent volcanic eruption in the coming weeks or months, as per Canarias7.

Following these events, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Council has started preparing a contingency plan in case of a volcanic eruption. To enhance readiness and ensure the provision of essential services, a specialized technical team has been established to devise an action plan.

While the city is equipped to handle a moderate emergency, concerns remain about potential challenges posed by a major eruption. Santa Cruz Mayor Jose Manuel Bermudez highlighted uncertainties regarding the eruption’s timing and impact, emphasizing the abnormal nature of the current volcanic developments on the island.

The IGN actively monitors seismic activity in Tenerife through a network of over 100 stations and sampling points, enabling continuous surveillance. This allows scientists to conduct real-time monitoring to detect any changes in seismic patterns, ground deformations, or geochemistry.

Despite the mayor’s concerns, the president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Davila, has downplayed speculation about the likelihood of an eruption. The historical context includes minor damage from Teide’s 1909 eruption and significant devastation during the 1706 eruption that destroyed a town and the main port of Garachico in Tenerife.

According to a spokesperson from the local National Geographic Institute, recent seismic activity, which under normal circumstances might not have raised alarm, continues to be closely monitored given the current context.