The seismologist at National Geographic Institute (IGN) Itahiza Domínguez, has indicated this Friday that the seismic swarm of the Teide detected this morning with almost half a thousand small earthquakes it is “peculiar” but also “expected” given the magmatic activity of Tenerife but it has made it clear that “there is no need to worry”.
In statements to Europa Press, he pointed out that all the earthquakes are small, not felt by the population, with average magnitudes of 0.5 and at depths that range between 10 and 15 kilometers, and in an interval of just over three hours.
He pointed out that the earthquakes have been detected in an area where there is “always” seismicity – southwest of Pico Viejo – and in fact, there were already two other ‘swarms’ in 2016 and 2019.
Domínguez sees this situation as “normal” because around a thousand earthquakes are detected on the island every year – not all of them are located – despite the fact that “it is not active” from the volcanological point of view, something that “differences” it from La Palma or El Hierro, which have hardly any seismic activity apart from pre-eruptive stages.
Seismic swarm of Teide without exact origin of the eventi
Along these lines, he has indicated that Tenerife has a magmatic layer and a system “more active in periods of calm” and although they do not know the exact origin of the event, he maintains that “it may have to do with activity and gases.”
However, he has clarified that there is no deformation of the ground and specified that if there were a pre-eruptive activity “there would be more activity”, hence he sends a message of “tranquility”.
“In principle, it is nothing,” he commented, although he stressed that it is not possible to “guess” when the island may have a volcanic eruption.
He has indicated that this ‘swarm’ was “expected” and does not suppose any “surprise” so there is no need to “alarm” or activate any type of contingency plan -unless, for example, the earthquakes passed magnitude 2 or 2 ,5-.
“There is nothing else, the question is to continue to watch in case something new comes up,” he indicated.
