Seismic Swarm VS20220324.1 in the Canary Islands Region

The seismic swarm designated VS20220324.1 was recorded in the Canary Islands, Spain, from 01:02 on 24 March 2022 to 01:36 on 26 March 2022. Over this 48-hour and 34-minute period, 60 earthquakes were detected. Magnitudes ranged primarily between 1.5 and 3.1, with the majority occurring at depths of 7–16 km. Two events reached magnitude 3.0 or above: a 3.1 quake at 19:21 on 24 March (depth 27 km) and a 3.0 event at 21:22 the same day (depth 8 km). Activity was most intense during the evening of 24 March, with numerous events clustered between 19:00 and 22:00.

This swarm represents the fourth such episode documented in the region since 2000. Earlier swarms occurred once in 2020 and three times in 2021. The 2022 sequence aligns with the post-eruption phase following the 2021 Cumbre Vieja eruption on La Palma, during which elevated seismic rates have persisted as magma movement and crustal adjustments continue.

The Canary Islands form a volcanic archipelago situated approximately 100 km off the northwest coast of Africa. Their origin is attributed to a mantle plume hotspot beneath the African plate, producing a chain of shield volcanoes that have built the islands over millions of years. Tenerife hosts Spain’s highest peak, Mount Teide, while the archipelago’s most recent significant activity centered on La Palma. The islands lie within a tectonically stable intraplate setting, yet recurrent seismic swarms reflect ongoing magmatic processes and hydrothermal activity.

Seismic swarms in volcanic regions such as the Canaries typically indicate fluid migration or pressure changes within the crust rather than tectonic fault slip. Depths recorded during VS20220324.1 are consistent with upper-crustal processes beneath the volcanic edifices. No surface deformation or eruptive activity was associated with this particular swarm.

Continued monitoring by the Instituto Geográfico Nacional remains essential for distinguishing background unrest from potential precursors to renewed volcanic activity. The 2022 swarm underscores the dynamic nature of the Canary Islands’ volcanic system and the value of dense seismic networks in tracking subtle changes.

References

• Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN), Spain – Official seismic catalog and swarm reports.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) – Regional tectonic and volcanic framework for the Canary Islands.
• Scientific literature on Canary Islands hotspot volcanism (e.g., Carracedo et al., Geological Society of London).