Intense earthquake swarm at Galápagos’ Fernandina volcano
A M4.3 volcano-tectonic earthquake struck beneath the La Cumbre volcano on Fernandina Island in the Galápagos archipelago, Ecuador on November 17, 2025, followed by an intense earthquake swarm.
Satellite image of Fernandina Island, Galápagos acquired on November 21, 2025. Credit: Copernicus EU/Sentinel-2, The Watchers
The Geophysical Institute – National Polytechnic School (IGEPN) recorded the M4.3 quake under Fernandina volcano at 05:06 UTC on November 17, followed by an intense seismic swarm beginning at 14:00 UTC.
According to the Global Volcanism Program (GVP) weekly report for November 12–18, the number of volcano-tectonic events rose significantly after November 12, with activity peaking following the M4.3 earthquake. The swarm consisted of numerous low-magnitude earthquakes located at shallow depths below the edifice.
Fernandina Island is uninhabited, and no settlements exist within the volcano’s immediate hazard zone. The closest populated island is Isabela, located about 10 km (6 miles) to the east.
While the current seismic activity poses no direct threat to inhabitants, it suggests a possible magma movement within the volcano’s plumbing system.
Fernandina is a volcanic island in the Galápagos Islands, around 1 000 km (621 miles) west of the coast of mainland Ecuador. It has produced nearly 30 recorded eruptions since 1800, with recent activity occurring along radial or circumferential fissures around the summit crater.
La Cumbre is among the most active volcanoes of the Galápagos hotspot. Its most recent eruption occurred from March 3 to May 9, 2024, when lava flows reached the sea. Satellite analyses estimated erupted-lava volumes at about 44 million m3 (1.5 billion ft3) by April 3, 2024.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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