Location:

Period:

2 Jul 2012 12:35:29 - 11 Jul 2012 02:20:29 (8 days 13 hours 45 minutes)

Volcanoes in 100km radius:

Hierro(11km)

Earthquakes:

183

9 swarms found nearby.

2011

VS20110723.1(9.5km)

22 Jul

21 hours

25 earthquakes

S20110805.1(12.2km)

4 Aug

1 day 19 hours

41 earthquakes

S20110808.1(11.8km)

7 Aug

3 days 8 hours

64 earthquakes

VS20110913.1(9.1km)

12 Sep

1 day 10 hours

32 earthquakes

S20110927.2(9.4km)

26 Sep

11 days 23 hours

305 earthquakes

2012

VS20120625.1(1.1km)

24 Jun

6 days 12 hours

345 earthquakes

VS20120915.1(12.3km)

14 Sep

3 days 1 hours

53 earthquakes

2013

S20130319.1(9.5km)

18 Mar

23 hours

29 earthquakes

S20130322.1(18.7km)

21 Mar

10 days 6 hours

476 earthquakes

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Seismic Swarm S20120702.1: Analysis of Activity in the Canary Islands Region

The Canary Islands, an archipelago of volcanic origin situated approximately 100 km off the northwest coast of Africa, form part of Spain’s territory on the African tectonic plate. The islands result from hotspot volcanism, with geological formations spanning from Miocene to recent times. Seismic activity in the region is primarily linked to magmatic movements beneath the volcanic edifices, particularly around El Hierro, La Palma, and Tenerife.

Swarm S20120702.1 occurred from 12:35 on 2 July 2012 to 02:20 on 11 July 2012, lasting 205 hours and 45 minutes. During this period, 183 earthquakes were recorded. Analysis of the first 100 events reveals a concentration of activity in the initial days, with magnitudes ranging from 2.5 to 4.4 and focal depths predominantly between 17 and 25 km. The largest event reached magnitude 4.4 at 22:42 on 2 July at 19 km depth.

Early events on 2 July showed rapid succession, including multiple magnitude 2.7–3.6 shocks within the first hour at depths near 20 km. Subsequent activity included a magnitude 3.9 event at 25 km and several magnitude 3.4–3.5 shocks at shallower depths around 12–21 km. By 3–4 July, magnitudes stabilized mostly between 2.5 and 3.8, with depths remaining consistent near 20 km. Later events through 7 July continued at similar depths but with reduced peak magnitudes, rarely exceeding 3.0.

This swarm aligns with the volcanic-tectonic character typical of the Canary Islands, where earthquake swarms often precede or accompany magmatic intrusions. Depths around 20 km correspond to the lower crust and upper mantle transition zone beneath the islands, a zone frequently associated with magma accumulation.

Since 1 January 2000, six swarms have been documented in the region. Prior activity includes five swarms in 2011 and one earlier swarm in 2012. The 2011 events were connected to the submarine eruption off El Hierro that began in October 2011 and concluded in early 2012. Swarm S20120702.1 represents continued unrest following that eruption.

References

Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN), Spain: Earthquake catalog for Canary Islands.
Geological Survey of Spain (IGME): Volcanic and seismic framework of the Canary archipelago.