New swarm of hybrid seismic events beneath Teide volcano, Tenerife
A new swarm of hybrid seismic events began beneath Teide volcano on Tenerife at 20:00 LT (21:00 UTC) on February 16, 2026, according to the Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias (INVOLCAN). More than 300 very low-magnitude earthquakes have been detected so far by the Canary Seismic Network, marking the eighth swarm of this type recorded on the island since 2016. INVOLCAN attributes the activity to magmatic-fluid injection into Tenerife’s hydrothermal system and states that the likelihood of an eruption remains unchanged.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
A new swarm of hybrid seismic events is ongoing beneath Teide volcano, beginning at 20:00 local time (21:00 UTC) on February 16. Data from the Canary Seismic Network show more than 300 very low-magnitude events recorded since the start of the episode.
The earthquakes have depths of about 8–12 km (5–7 miles) below the volcano’s summit and display hybrid waveforms typical of the interaction between rock fracturing and fluid movement in a hydrothermal environment.
INVOLCAN states that the most likely mechanism is magmatic-fluid injection into Tenerife’s hydrothermal system. This process has been recurring since 2016 and is supported by independent geophysical and geochemical observations, including increased diffuse CO2 emissions from Teide’s crater and slight ground deformation on the volcano’s northeastern flank.
Authorities stated that the swarm does not alter the likelihood of eruption in the short or medium term and that no alert-level changes have been made under the Canary Islands Volcanic Risk Prevention Plan (PEVOLCA).
INVOLCAN describes the current sequence as part of the largest “volcanic noise” recorded in Tenerife since 2016 — a persistent background of low-level seismic and hydrothermal adjustments beneath Teide.
Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) data confirm that the depth range and waveform characteristics of the current events are consistent with previous hydrothermal episodes. Low-frequency and hybrid signatures reflect interaction between gas and liquid phases at depth rather than brittle failure caused by magma migration.
Local civil-protection agencies report no felt earthquakes and no public concern requiring intervention as of February 17.
The new activity follows a similar hybrid swarm detected on February 7, 2026, and continues a decade-long pattern of episodic unrest.
Comparable swarms occurred on August 7, 2025, November 14, 2024, July 12, 2022, June 16, 2022, and June 14, 2019. Each involved hundreds of small earthquakes beneath Teide and Pico Viejo without surface manifestations or eruptive precursors.
Teide’s most recent eruption occurred in 1909 at the Chinyero vent on its north-western flank. Since then, the volcano has remained in a state of quiescent unrest punctuated by intermittent seismic and gas anomalies.
The recurrence of hybrid swarms since 2016 confirms that magma remains present at depth, feeding the hydrothermal system without breaching the surface.
The current conditions do not suggest an eruption scenario, and the situation remains stable.
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules.