Tourists planning a trip to Tenerife have been cautioned to brace for a potentially alarming volcano alert as the island continues to experience underground tremors. Mount Teide, Spain’s tallest peak, has recently garnered attention due to a series of small earthquakes, sparking concerns of volcanic activity. Despite experts reassuring that an eruption is not imminent, both residents and visitors will soon receive an eruption alert message on their mobile devices as part of Spain’s largest volcanic emergency drill scheduled for September 26.
The drill will involve the entire municipality of Garachico in the north, simulating an evacuation in case of an eruption, a procedure similar to those practiced in islands such as Stromboli, Sicily, and Hawaii. Approximately 1,000 individuals, including the Military Emergency Unit, scientific organizations, and Cabildo technicians, will participate in the exercise, which is part of the EU’s MODEX project and overseen by European specialists.
Starting September 22, Tenerife’s official risk map will transition from green to yellow, then orange, and finally red, culminating in a simulated eruption message at 9 a.m. on the 26th. Tenerife’s President, Rosa Dávila, emphasized the importance of maintaining preparedness, stating, “We must not forget that we are volcanically active islands, although we are not currently facing an imminent threat.” She further added, “This decision requires calmness because the risk persists.”
According to volcanic monitoring director Lucca D’Auria, the recent seismic activity is not indicative of magma movement but rather linked to Tenerife’s hydrothermal system. These tremors, slight ground shifts, and minor gas fluctuations fall within expected norms, although D’Auria cautioned that Tenerife faces a nearly 40% risk of eruption in the next five decades.
Spain’s Minister for Security, Emergencies, and the Natural Environment, Blanca Pérez, highlighted the necessity for Tenerife to enhance its readiness measures, with new action point maps and mobility plans already in effect. The Red Cross and other emergency services will actively participate throughout the week-long drill.
Reflecting on history, Garachico experienced the consequences of a real eruption in 1706 when lava from the Trevejo volcano engulfed much of the town and destroyed its port, albeit without any casualties.