Janet Anscombe

An earthquake of magnitude 4 occurred in Tenerife at 15.10 pm. It was felt both here and in Gran Canaria. According to the Richter scale, the force of the quake falls midpoint between:

Minor: 3.0-3.9 – often felt, but rarely causes damage.
Light: 4.0-4.9 – noticeable shaking of indoor items, rattling noises. Significant damage unlikely.

The earthquake was at a depth of 23km, with its epicentre 10 kms out to sea south-east of Santa Cruz  according to the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (as in the above image). No damage has been reported, and indeed, the Canarian Geophysics Centre confirmed that it would have been unlikely given the depth of the quake. María José Blanco, the Director of the Centre said that the tectonic quake was quite normal for the area, though unusual in that it was actually felt. Sra Blanco said that there had been another three earthquakes in the last several days in the same area, one on the 30th January of 2.3 on the Richter scale, and two on the 31st, of 2.0 and 2.4, which were too minor to be felt. C7, C7(2)

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