The tsunami was recorded by tide gauges in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Santa Cruz de La Palma, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Arrecife in Lanzarote.
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The recurrence rate of similar collapses is extremely low, about one every 100,000 years or less in the case of the Canary Islands. Other volcanoes across the world are at risk of causing such tsunamis.
The Canary Islands region is still volcanically active. The most recent volcanic eruption on land occurred in 2021 and the most recent underwater eruption was in 2011-12.
The area with the highest seismic activity in the Canary Islands, not directly related to volcanic activity, is located in the channel between the islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife. In this zone a continuous amount of earthquakes is concentrated located since seismic instrumentation is deployed.
Beaches in Gran Canaria are well-regulated and monitored, but be sure to follow advice given by lifeguards and pay attention to any warning flags. Red flags mean no swimming, and you should take this very seriously - the sea may look tranquil but strong tides can pull unwary swimmers out to sea.
Sismicity of Canary IslandsNowadays there are about 400-500 earthquakes per year in this zone, of which between 5 and 7 are of magnitude bigger than 2.5. The seismicity is produced at depths between 0 and 40 km.
The coasts' trajectory spans from El Confital (Las Palmas in Gran Canaria), with the 'Monjas' wave, up to Gáldar and the 'Bocabarranco'. It stands out as a rocky coast, with the highest wave frequency and the strongest breakers. Under perfect conditions, waves can reach as high as 5 metres.
The Canary Islands are located in an active seismic zone and have several volcanoes. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. In 2021, the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the island of La Palma caused widespread damage. During a volcanic eruption, ash can disrupt air travel.
When a tsunami comes ashore, areas less than 25 feet above sea level and within a mile of the sea will be in the greatest danger. However, tsunamis can surge up to 10 miles inland. “It's really just kind of relentless, the water just keeps on coming and coming and coming for a long time,” Garrison-Laney says.
Eruptions in the past 60 years have jolted this island to the core, creating a fault line - a crack you can walk through - along the island central spine 6,000 feet above the Atlantic Ocean.
The Canary Islands are subject to many such hazards, including earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions. The foreseeable consequences of a geological hazard are known as “geological risks”.
“Taking into account the number of historical eruptions, the probability that there will be a volcanic eruption in Tenerife in the next 50 years can be calculated to around 40%.”
if you prefer a relaxing holiday in quiet resorts, some of the places to avoid in Gran Canaria include areas where mass tourism is prevalent, such as the resorts of Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas. The island offers so much more than this, with diverse landscapes to explore, and a myriad of activities to enjoy.
One of the most enigmatic sharks in the world, that also lives in the Canary Islands waters, is the hammerhead shark. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, its presence has been documented several times. It is quite a spectacle for those divers who have been lucky enough to come across with one of these specimens.
Are there mosquitoes in Gran Canaria? Yes – no risk of diseases. Hot sun all year round has one downside – winter is never cold enough to get rid of mosquitoes! These mosquitoes are most active in the evening.