The Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands recorded significant seismic activity on Thursday. A third seismic swarm in a week, comprising nearly a thousand minor tremors, was registered beneath the Teide volcano on Tenerife, which experts describe as a new phase of activity. Simultaneously, Portugal was shaken by a magnitude 4.1 earthquake, with its epicenter located near Lisbon. While no casualties or serious damage were reported, both phenomena caused concern among residents and authorities.

New phase of Teide activity

Three seismic swarms were recorded within a week, suggesting increased magmatic activity beneath Tenerife at a depth of 7-8 km.

Strong tremors in Lisbon

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake occurred 30 km from the capital of Portugal; no casualties, but evacuations in workplaces were reported.

No eruption risk

Despite the anomaly, experts from Pevolca assure that the probability of a volcanic eruption in the short term remains low.

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, a series of seismic events focused public attention on Portugal and the Spanish island of Tenerife. The most concerning reports come from the area around the Teide volcano. Experts from the Spanish Geographic Institute (IGN) reported the occurrence of the third seismic swarm within a single week. According to revised data, sensors recorded over 1400 hybrid events at a depth of 7 to 8 kilometers below the surface in just a few hours. IGN's regional director, Itahiza Domínguez, stated that the volcanic system has entered a "new phase," although scientists reassure that there is currently no immediate risk of an eruption in the short term. The last volcanic eruption on Tenerife occurred in 1909, when the Chinyero volcano erupted. Teide itself remains one of the most monitored volcanic objects in the world due to the island's dense population. Simultaneously, at 12:14 local time, Portugal was hit by a magnitude 4.1 earthquake. The epicenter of the tremors was located in the municipalities of Vila Franca de Xira and Alenquer, situated about 30-40 kilometers north of Lisbon. Although the tremors were strongly felt in the capital itself, forcing many residents onto the streets, the Portuguese civil protection agency reported no casualties or significant infrastructure damage. The tremors were felt within a radius of over 100 kilometers from the epicenter, and authorities issued warnings about possible cliff collapses on the country's western coast. Experts emphasize that Portugal lies in a seismically active zone at the junction of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates. „The recent seismic swarms bring us a small step further in understanding Tenerife's volcanic activity, introducing us to a new, previously unknown phase of intensity.” — Itahiza Domínguez 1400 — tremors beneath Teide within a day Magnitude of recent tremors in the region: Lisbon (Feb 19): 4.1, Tenerife (peak): 2.5, Alenquer: 4.0 Seismic events timeline: February 18, 07:00 — First signals beneath Teide; February 19, 11:40 — Intensification on Tenerife; February 19, 13:14 — Tremor in Portugal; February 19, 15:00 — Pevolca statement

Mentioned People

  • Itahiza Domínguez — Director of the Canary Islands Geographic Institute (IGN), expert analyzing Teide volcano activity.