Holidaymakers in Fuerteventura have been affected by a 3.2 magnitude earthquake recorded off the coast of the Canary Islands, according to Spain's National Geographic Institute (IGN). The tremor struck at 5.06am local time on Friday, October 2, with its epicentre located around five kilometres below the seabed.
Seismologists at the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) are also examining the event and assessing the available data, which suggests it was far larger than the average magnitude of earthquakes recorded in the region, typically 1.9 magnitude.
Tremor noticed by some indoors
IGN said the tremor was weak but could have been noticed by people in the area, particularly those indoors. Earthquakes are regular events around the archipelago, with 48 recorded in the last 30 days, or 1.6 per day. Ten earthquakes were recorded last week, a typical figure for the archipelago.
IGN initially calculated the earthquake at magnitude 3.0 and a depth of four kilometres before revising the measurements to magnitude 3.2 and five kilometres deep as additional seismic data were analysed. No injuries or damage have been reported so far.
Monitoring and Tenerife drills
Authorities in the Canary Islands are continuing to closely monitor seismic activity and ground deformation across the region, with experts stressing that clusters of earthquakes do not necessarily signal an increased volcanic threat. Scientists are paying particular attention to conditions in Tenerife, another area of the archipelago.
Amid concerns over increased tremors around Mount Teide, Tenerife Island Council is organising emergency exercises designed to test the island's preparedness for a potential volcanic eruption. The drills, which simulate a range of emergency scenarios, are due to take place in Guía de Isora and La Laguna.
Researchers have also identified a substantial magma reservoir beneath Pico Viejo, one of Mount Teide's secondary volcanic structures. However, scientists have cautioned against linking all recent seismic events to volcanic activity. IGN previously concluded that a series of earthquakes recorded north of Punta del Hidalgo on Tenerife's northern coastline were tectonic in origin rather than volcanic. At least two of those offshore tremors were felt by residents on land.
