Preparations Underway for Volcanic Eruption Drill in Tenerife

Volcanic Eruption Simulation Scheduled

The President of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, emphasised on Tuesday that a volcanic eruption simulation is set to take place on 26th September on the island. During this exercise, part of the population from Garachico will be evacuated. Dávila’s comments came prior to a meeting with representatives from the island’s 31 municipalities to discuss the volcanic risk map, update municipal emergency plans, and outline the guidelines for the simulation.

Municipal Emergency Plans to be Updated

Dávila noted that all municipalities on the island will revise and enhance their emergency plans. She added that the island corporation will assist with the development of plans for municipalities with fewer than 50,000 residents. A prior meeting was held with representatives from the six municipalities highlighted in red on the volcanic risk map, which indicates the areas with the highest risk of volcanic eruption.

At-Risk Municipalities Identified

The six municipalities identified as being at risk include Garachico, Guía de Isora, El Tanque, Icod de los Vinos, La Orotava, and Santiago del Teide. Dávila highlighted that the exercise scheduled for 26th September will allow experts to evaluate the preparedness to handle a potential volcanic eruption and to ensure municipal emergency plans are fit for purpose.

Planned Evacuations

On 22nd September, a pre-alert status will be declared, with an alert expected to be sent to all mobile phones on the island at 09:00 on the 26th. The population in the Muelle Viejo neighbourhood of Garachico will be evacuated, while emergencies will be simulated across the rest of the municipality, involving approximately 1,000 participants in the drill.