Spain holiday warning: Canary Islands hit with ten earthquakes in 24 hours

Spain holiday warning: Canary Islands hit with ten earthquakes in 24 hours

The Canary Islands have been hit with multiple earthquakes this week with at least ten within 24 hours

Pexels
Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 07/09/2023

- 10:24

Updated: 07/09/2023

- 12:28

Experts are now assessing risks for locals in the area

The Canary Islands have been hit with multiple earthquakes this week with at least ten within 24 hours.

Experts are now evaluating risks for locals after three tremors with a magnitude of three or greater struck the area.


Areas near populated regions were reportedly affected by the tremors, according to data from Spain's Institute of National Geography.

On Monday, at 4.01am an earthquake with a measurement of 3.1 on the Richter scale was felt west of the archipelago.

Experts are now evaluating risks for locals after three tremors with a magnitude of three or greater struck the area

Pexels

Just 20 minutes later, another 1.6 strike hit in the Atlantic between Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Four more were also recorded in the area that day as low level quakes have continued to shake the region.

The Canary Islands are located between the African, Eurasian and American tectonic plates, which can cause regular seismic activity.

According to experts, a magnitude of 2.5 to 5.4 is often felt, but causes just minor damage.

The repetition of events in the same area could indicate a more continuous trend of activity, Canarian Weekly claim.

Residents living in the Canary Islands also risk being affected by archipelago's volcanic landscape - the location of underground tectonic plates.

An eruption in 2021 in the south of La Palma caused damage of up to £724million, with lava flow meaning 7,000 people were evacuated.

More than 3,000 buildings were destroyed during the Tajogaite volcanic eruption.

Residents living in the Canary Islands also risk being affected by archipelago's volcanic landscape - the location of underground tectonic plates

Pexels

It comes after Tenerife was hit with destructive wildfires after temperatures soared last month.

More than 15,000 hectares of woodland were destroyed within the national park surrounding the Mount Teide volcano.

And around 400 firefighters, backed by nine water-dropping aircraft, were called in to fight the blaze.

You may like