An unexpected nighttime jolt in March once again reminded residents of Spain of the region’s seismic activity. The 4.4-magnitude earthquake, registered in the western part of Mar de Alborán, was felt across nine provinces, including nearly all of Andalucía, as well as parts of Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura. For many Spaniards, the event raised questions about the safety of their homes and the reasons behind such phenomena—since even without damage, a lingering sense of uncertainty remains.
According to El Pais, the epicenter was at a depth of 92 kilometers, which explains the wide area where tremors were felt. In Málaga, Córdoba, and Sevilla, the intensity reached III-IV on the EMS scale—enough for people to wake up or notice furniture vibrating. Dozens of posts quickly appeared on social media as residents shared their experiences and reactions. Many noted they did not immediately understand what was happening until they saw confirmation from other users and official sources.
Response and aftermath
The 112 Andalucía emergency services received about thirty calls from concerned citizens, but there were no reports of injuries or damage. The National Geographic Institute collected more than a thousand online responses from those who felt the tremors. Experts explain that such deep earthquakes rarely cause destruction, but their waves travel long distances, affecting several regions at once.
Seismologists note that the area between Malaga and the coast of Morocco has a unique crustal structure. This region frequently experiences so-called interplate earthquakes at depths ranging from 40 to 120 kilometers. It was this considerable depth that allowed residents across several autonomous regions to feel the tremors without causing any damage. As reported by El Pais, in other parts of Spain, most such events occur at depths of less than 30 kilometers, which usually limits their impact to a local area.
Comparison with previous incidents
Less than four months ago, in December 2025, Malaga faced a similar situation. At that time, a magnitude 4.9 quake occurred at a depth of 79 kilometers near Las Lagunas (Fuengirola). According to experts, if the epicenter had been closer to the surface, the consequences could have been far more serious. However, just like now, the depth proved crucial—the vibrations were felt by residents, but infrastructure was unaffected.
According to El Pais, these incidents are becoming increasingly noticeable to the public thanks to the development of digital services and mobile apps. People learn about events more quickly, share information, and receive confirmation of what they experienced. This helps lower panic levels, while also highlighting the importance of information and preparedness for potential recurrences.
Seismic activity in Spain
Seismic activity in Spain is not limited to the southern regions. In recent years, tremors have also been recorded in other parts of the country, though their magnitude usually does not exceed 5. For example, disruptions to Catalonia’s railways, recently reported in the coverage of the region’s transport issues, are sometimes linked to the area’s geological features as well.
Overall, deep earthquakes in the Mar de Alborán area remain a subject of study for experts. Although there is no consensus on their causes, specialists agree that these events require constant monitoring. In recent years, Spain has focused more on seismic safety, especially in densely populated areas in the south. New technologies allow for quicker responses to such incidents and help inform the public about potential risks.
Looking back at recent years, earthquakes with magnitudes between 4 and 5 occur regularly in Spain, but rarely cause serious consequences. In 2021, a similar event was recorded in Granada, where tremors were felt in several provinces but did not lead to destruction. In 2016, residents of Almería and Murcia also reported vibrations caused by deep seismic processes. These events highlight the importance of continuous monitoring of seismic conditions and the development of early warning systems.
