Gran Canaria hit by 4.8 magnitude earthquake as people urged ‘stay calm’

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck Gran Canaria at 9.50am, with tremors reportedly felt across the Canary Islands including neighbouring Fuerteventura

The popular holiday destination has been rocked by a 4.8 magnitude earthquake. The Canary Islands Seismic Network recorded the quake in Gran Canaria and was quick to stress that the seismic activity bore no relation to that of Tenerife.

The tremor was felt across the entire island. It struck at 9.50am this morning, prompting reports from various parts of the archipelago. Initial reports suggest the quake was also experienced on the neighbouring Canary Island of Fuerteventura.

Details are still emerging, so it remains unclear whether any damage has been caused. Both locals and tourists across the island have reported feeling the quake. Authorities have advised anyone injured or affected by damage to stay calm and get in touch with emergency services.

Regional television programme ‘Buenos Días Canarias’ on Televisión Canaria has been providing live updates, featuring accounts from individuals who experienced the shaking in their homes and workplaces.

Official sources from the National Geographic Institute (IGN) have confirmed the quake, which originated off the coast on the northern slope of the island. The seismic network’s measurement stations detected the seismic event immediately.

Meanwhile, the Volcanological Institute of the Canary Islands (Involcan) has shared the technical parameters related to the phenomenon via its official channels. Automated location and monitoring systems have pinpointed the epicentre.

The tremor occurred in the ocean, precisely 59 kilometres from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the island’s capital.

Given the concern sparked amongst residents by the earthquake’s strength, Involcan scientists have released an urgent statement clarifying the nature of the tectonic rupture. The research organisation has emphatically emphasised that this seismic event bears no connection to the volcanic activity detected in Tenerife.

While the initial automated readings provide an estimate of the seismic event’s power, experts and technicians from IGN and Involcan are conducting comprehensive analysis of the recorded waves.

Seismic monitoring centres have confirmed that the earthquake’s final magnitude remains to be established with complete precision, along with the exact depth at which the movement’s epicentre originated beneath the ocean floor.

Scientific verification will be provided in the coming hours.