Tenerife is sensitive to earthquakes due to its location at the boundary of tectonic plates and the many hotspots that activate the magma chambers.
Geologists and volcanologists have been closely monitoring the largest of all European volcanoes on Tenerife for quite some time. There is volcanic activity present, and sulfate vapors have been escaping from the crater for as long as records go back. There are rumblings deep beneath the ground, and the seismological service dealing with geophysics on the island is looking into the increased seismic activity.
In 2011, the underwater volcano near La Restinga in the southwest of El Hierro began its growth process. Now, the top of this volcano is barely above the water’s surface. Also, in the deep waters between Gran Canaria and Tenerife, the Volcán de Enmedio is rapidly growing; its base is at 2,000 meters, and the top is at 1,500 meters. And we’ve known for some time that the Canary Islands are just the peaks of a massive mountain range. In the surrounding area, underwater volcanoes are steadily growing, and new islands are continually being formed.
Magma Chamber
The Canary Islands archipelago is not located on a tectonic fault line but on a hotspot. This is an area where the Earth’s crust is very thin. It is believed that the Earth’s crust has become thin due to an undercurrent of hot, liquid magma that causes the crust to melt from below. Because the crust is so thin in these areas, the magma can easily make its way through the crust and collect in a reservoir or magma chamber. Eventually, the pressure in the magma chamber becomes so great that an eruption occurs.
If tectonic plates move while the convection currents remain active in the same place, a volcano will eventually move out of the reach of the hot convection current. As a result, all volcanoes located on these hotspots will eventually become dormant. This is likely why Teide is in a deep sleep.
Barely Noticeable
The Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias (INVOLCAN) reports that there is no cause for concern. Such clusters show what dynamic systems of volcanoes can cause. The relevant official authorities will thoroughly analyze the seismic activity and release information when available.
Daily, there are dozens of small tremors on and around the Canary Islands, most of which are barely felt. Occasionally, the island is shaken with a force of 4 on the Richter scale or even slightly more. Most of the time, these tremors are not felt by anyone. Fortunately, there are still volcanologists and their measuring equipment.
Isla del Paralelo
A good example of increased volcanic activity is found in the immediate vicinity of El Hierro, south of the municipality of La Restinga. We have known for some time that the area is “highly pregnant,” and for this reason, it is also referred to as a separate hotspot. The new island is steadily growing, and once its peak is above the water, it will be named Isla del Paralelo. Since 2011, there has been an increased emission of CO², a clear signal that magma is moving, and therefore there must be additional pressure on the Earth’s crust.
Institutes
The Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias (Involcan) and the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) are closely monitoring the changing seismic data, which may provide reassurance.
Tenerife is sensitive to earthquakes. We live on moving ground, which we all know, and there are rumblings every day somewhere. If we don’t feel it, it is not communicated, but it’s there, and when we do feel it, it makes big news!
The animation below shows the seismic activity on and around the Canary Islands in 2018. This footage was provided by the Spanish Seismological Institute, or Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España y CNIG.
Pixabay © Illustration
Tenerife is sensitive to earthquakes ©
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