We are all aware that since eruptions such as the underwater one that transpired in El Hierro over a decade ago, scientists have acquired the necessary tools for their detection. Consequently, we Canary Islanders have access to a deeper understanding of how the volcanic character that initiated this archipelago consistently manifests in the form of low-magnitude tremors that do not warrant concern. However, it is important to note that yesterday one of these seismic activities was rather unusual. The tremor in question was felt across ten municipalities on the Island of Tenerife, regardless of how slight the sensation was reported among the residents.
The earthquake occurred just after three in the afternoon, specifically at 15:04, when its epicentre was identified by experts at the National Geographic Institute (IGN) at a depth of 21 kilometres beneath the surface in the municipality of La Tenerife, particularly in the northern town of Puerto de la Cruz.
Initially classified as a 3.4 magnitude earthquake, this official body later revised the measurement to 3.3. In any case, it was at a level that could be felt by the populace, which indeed occurred.
Civic Responsibility
This perception is confirmed by the fact that the IGN website received accounts from citizens in a commendable effort to assist scientific research from up to 13 other municipalities in Tenerife.
In Puerto de la Cruz, it was recorded in El Durazno, San Fernando, El Tope, Taoro-Malpaís, and Las Arenas, while the remaining municipalities reported as follows: Los Realejos (La Longuera, San Vicente, La Cartaya, San Agustín, and La Zamora); La Orotava (Las Cuevas, La Perdoma, La Florida, Hacienda Perdida, Camino Chasna-Montijos, El Sauce, Dehesa Alta, and La Vera); Santa Úrsula (La Quinta and El Calvario); Candelaria (Malpaís and Punta Larga); Güímar; Tacoronte (Aguagarcía and La Caridad); El Sauzal (Ravelo Bajo); La Masacre de Acentejo (Cruz del Camino); La Victoria de Acentejo; La Laguna (Valle de Guerra and Las Mercedes); Garachico (Las Cruces); and La Guancha (Santo Domingo).
“It was a peculiar sensation, as though a large lorry was passing nearby.”
Among the residents who fulfilled their civic duty by completing the relevant form provided on the National Geographic Institute’s website (www.ign.es) is Candelaria, a Puerto de la Cruz local who felt the tremor caused by the earthquake shortly after three in the afternoon, with its epicentre detected 21 kilometres beneath the town.
“What I experienced was rather strange; I initially thought it might have been a large lorry or something travelling along the Eastern Highway,” Candelaria reported to this newspaper yesterday, adding that it was “indeed an odd sensation.” Far from being alarmed by the vibration she felt, the resident of Puerto de la Cruz clarifies: “Nothing frightening, quite the contrary.”
As for where the unusual occurrence caught her off guard, Candelaria explains that she was in the Botanical area, where her family was enjoying a lunch gathering yesterday, revealing that “not everyone present noticed what was happening.” This illustrates just how mild the sensation was, particularly for those preoccupied with other tasks, which in this instance were centred around the family social event.
