This seismic episode, now the longest of its kind observed on the island, is characterized by low-amplitude signals, although during some intervals, over 300 events per hour have been counted. The activity is concentrated in the southwestern sector of the caldera, at approximately ten kilometers depth.
Unlike volcano-tectonic earthquakes, which originate from rock fracturing, hybrid events are linked to the movement of high-pressure, high-temperature hydrothermal fluids circulating through the volcanic edifice's fractures. Involcan notes that these fluctuations are part of the normal behavior of an active volcanic system.
This marks the fifteenth swarm of hybrid events detected in Tenerife since October 2016. Scientists attribute the increase in seismicity to the movement of hydrothermal fluids within the island's volcanic system, released from deep zones and generating the seismic signals during their ascent.
Despite the high number of signals, Involcan emphasizes that the available information does not alter the probability of a volcanic eruption in the short or medium term, which remains low. Prior to a potential eruptive process, a significant increase in volcano-tectonic earthquakes, hypocenter migration, ground deformation, and changes in volcanic gas composition would be expected, none of which are occurring in this episode.
