Canary Islands Government Maintains Technical Caution Amid Tenerife Seismic Activity

Tenerife’s seismic activity has returned to the spotlight in the Canary Islands Parliament following comments from Manuel Miranda, the regional Minister of Territorial Policy, Water, and Emergencies. During a committee meeting this Thursday, Miranda confirmed that the government is maintaining a stance of "technical caution." Despite recent earthquake swarms near Las Cañadas del Teide, officials have ruled out any changes to the island’s current volcanic alert system.

The government’s decision is based on a lack of scientific evidence that would justify triggering a formal volcanic alert. Instead, they are opting to continue with a reinforced surveillance protocol. This approach differs from the situation in La Palma, where the volcanic emergency plan (Pevolca) remains at a yellow level. In La Palma, this status is due to ongoing gas emissions in Puerto Naos and La Bombilla, which require constant monitoring by experts from the University of La Laguna and the Volcanological Institute of the Canary Islands.

During the debate, Vox representative Paula Jover questioned the government’s transparency, suggesting that Tenerife’s geological situation might be more complex than official reports imply. She challenged the disparity between the alert level in La Palma and the lack of action in Tenerife, questioning whether administrative interests might be influencing the government’s response. Jover also called for clearer communication, arguing that the public needs accurate information to reduce uncertainty.

Minister Miranda defended his department’s handling of the situation, insisting that all technical data is managed with rigor and transparency. The government maintains that, unless there is a significant change in geophysical data, there are no plans to introduce new civil protection measures in Tenerife. Officials emphasized that they will continue to prioritize scientific findings above all other considerations.