Pedro Martín rules out an “imminent” eruption on the island and appeals for information to better understand the “seismic swarms”
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, July 20. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo de Tenerife is going to invest some 50,000 euros in the purchase of 18 stations for the municipalities between Güímar and La Orotava in order to analyze groundwater and assess the risk of seismic activity on the island.
This is what the president of the Cabildo, Pedro Martín, told journalists before holding a meeting with several municipalities on the island and with the coordinator of Involcan (Volcanological Institute of the Canary Islands), Nemesio Pérez.
Martín has commented that this measure is included in the volcanic risk plan approved by the Cabildo two years ago and it is about “implementing” the document and analyzing the groundwater to have a “more exact” criterion of seismic activity.
He has said that each city council will appoint a person in charge to manage the taking of tests and send the results to the Cabildo and, within a maximum period of nine months, have a comprehensive evaluation of the situation.
He has also pointed out that these “isolated” data have no value but they do if they are related to the rest of the seismic and thermometric and chemical monitoring stations, especially if there are changes in their chemical composition or in the emission of gases.
Martín has made it clear that there is no “alarm situation” or any indication that an eruption may occur “imminently” but he understands that it is “essential” to have all the information and try to find out in depth why in recent three years ‘earthquake swarms’ occur.
Already the volcanic risk map establishes that the municipalities with “high or very high threat” of eruption are located between San Juan de la Rambla and Guía de Isora and now it is about “expanding the spectrum” to achieve “a broader map” .
The president has commented that the seismic activity “has been evolving” in recent times with “swarms” of low intensity and an increase in the emission of gases and he understands that it would be “irresponsible” not to follow up after what happened in La Palma.
