3.8 magnitude earthquake in Gran Canaria, felt in almost the entire island
A 3.8 magnitude earthquake shook Gran Canaria on Tuesday at 7:20 p.m., marking the largest tremor recorded on the island in at least 60 years.
The quake, which originated off the coast of Santa María de Guía, was felt across much of the island, and officials from the National Geographic Institute (IGN) have warned that aftershocks may still occur.
The earthquake had a maximum intensity of IV, meaning it was moderately strong, but no material damage was reported. The shaking was felt from La Aldea to San Bartolomé de Tirajana, with the most notable reports coming from the village of San Fernando in Moya.
The quake was also felt, albeit more weakly, in other areas including parts of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Los Giles, Los Hoyos, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Telde, Mogán, Ingenio, Tejeda, Agüimes, Santa Lucía, and Santa Brígida.
Initial estimates from the National Seismic Network put the earthquake's magnitude at 4.1, but it was later revised down to 3.8. The tremor was located 18 kilometers below the surface. Meanwhile, the Canary Islands Seismic Network, managed by the Canary Islands Volcanological Institute (Involcan), placed the epicenter between Agaete and Valleseco at a depth of 14 kilometers.
Aftershocks Possible
Itahiza Domínguez, director of the IGN in the Canary Islands, noted that aftershocks of varying magnitudes could occur in the coming hours, though such events are uncommon in the region.
He emphasized that a destructive earthquake is highly unlikely, explaining that the Canary Islands lack the tectonic structures necessary to produce large-scale seismic events.
Recent Seismic Activity in the Area
Domínguez pointed out that this area of Gran Canaria is not typically associated with frequent seismic activity. Most of the region’s earthquakes are linked to volcanic activity, with the area between Gran Canaria and Tenerife being the most active. However, there have been historical accounts of noticeable earthquakes in northern Gran Canaria, though they are infrequent.
The director of the IGN in the Canary Islands suggested that the cause of this earthquake remains uncertain. It may have been triggered by tectonic movements or by the island’s gradual settling into the Earth’s crust.
