A magnitude 3.1 earthquake centered in Churriana de la Vega shook Granada this morning. Recorded at a depth of five kilometers, the quake was felt across the city and much of the surrounding area.
The tremor is the latest in a long sequence that has unsettled the province since mid-August. The Instituto Geográfico Nacional and regional authorities report that more than 1,500 earthquakes have been registered in the area since August 15, most minor and below magnitude 2. Only a few have reached or exceeded magnitude 3. The strongest so far, a pair of 4.8-magnitude quakes, hit in August and caused widespread alarm in Granada and its suburbs. The University of Granada has estimated its institutional damage from the earthquake series at 6.8 million euros.
Other tremors were recorded today. Earlier in the day, three smaller quakes struck: a magnitude 1.3 in Alhendín at 6:44 am, a 1.9 in Jerez del Marquesado at 2:18 am, and a 1.6 in Jayena just after midnight. These minor quakes have become almost routine, a sign of continued underground instability. Tremors have continued since the emergency plan was lifted, with weak earthquakes recently detected in Huétor Vega, Las Gabias, Armilla, and Ogíjares as of September 13.
Despite the continued activity, the Junta de Andalucía announced on Tuesday, September 15, that it was ending the regional emergency plan, in place for a month. Antonio Sanz, the regional minister for Presidency, Health, and Emergencies, said the decision followed scientific and technical analysis. The CSIC advisory group, which has monitored the situation, reported a clear drop in the frequency and strength of tremors since August 20, describing a general decline in seismic activity. Official statements and scientific monitoring, as reported by several major Spanish news outlets, support this assessment.
Regional authorities have allocated over 46 million euros to repair earthquake damage in Granada and neighboring municipalities, including historic sites such as the Alhambra complex. The funding is part of a broader effort to address the impact of the seismic sequence and support affected communities. For people in Granada, a noticeable quake so soon after the emergency plan ended is a reminder that the ground remains unsettled. Scientists see a gradual decline in seismic energy, but the unpredictable nature of these events keeps residents and authorities on alert. The shift from emergency status to ongoing monitoring reflects both the progress made and the uncertainty of living in an earthquake-prone area. Authorities will continue monitoring over the next few weeks as residents remain alert to further tremors.
