Granada and several surrounding municipalities felt a magnitude 3.7 earthquake centered in La Zubia on Thursday evening, reviving concerns in a region alert to recent seismic episodes. The tremor was recorded shortly before 18:45. The Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) initially reported its origin in Alhendín, before subsequent analysis placed the epicenter in La Zubia. Its reported depth was five kilometers, revised from earlier estimates that put it at twice that depth.
Residents across the metropolitan area reported feeling the quake with varying intensity. Reported effects ranged from II to III in La Zubia to III to IV in Ogíjares, Armilla, Churriana and Alhendín, with intensity IV in Cenes de la Vega. The tremor was also perceptible in Granada city. Intensity describes how strongly shaking is felt at a location; it differs from an earthquake’s magnitude.
Granada province recorded a separate pair of earthquakes on 18 October 2026. IGN measurements reported by Ideal put a magnitude 1.9 event northeast of Vegas del Genil at about 08:38, followed roughly three minutes later by a magnitude 2.8 earthquake west of Cájar at about 08:41. The reported depths were three kilometers for the first event and zero kilometers for the second, following a revised calculation. The magnitude 1.9 tremor was felt in Granada, Cenes de la Vega, Churriana de la Vega, Ogíjares, Armilla, La Zubia, Maracena and Padul. Reported intensities included III to IV in Granada and II to III in La Zubia; these readings describe local perceptibility, not the epicenter. Coverage citing the IGN reported no material damage from that sequence.
A separate earthquake was recorded near Motril on 22 October, with a magnitude of 3.1 and an offshore epicenter, information from IGN data reported by El Confidencial. It was described as low intensity and perceptible in places including Salobreña, Motril and Nerja. The sequence has kept attention on preparedness across the province, although the reported tremors were low intensity and no damage was reported in connection with the October metropolitan sequence.
The Junta de Andalucía announced an earthquake emergency exercise in Granada for 10 November 2026. The planned drill is expected to involve 200 participants and test the activation of emergency plans and coordination among response services, ABC reported. The exercise is part of preparedness planning in the province.
Granada’s experience with natural phenomena is not isolated; other regions in Spain have also faced extreme weather and environmental events. For example, southern Valencia recently endured violent storms and record winds, as detailed in this report on severe weather in Alcoi and Villena. Such incidents show the importance of strong emergency response systems across the country.
Andalusia is among Spain’s areas exposed to seismic activity. The IGN monitors earthquakes and publishes data that authorities and the public use to assess events, including their magnitude and depth, along with reported intensity. Residents can follow official updates and review earthquake safety guidance as part of local preparedness.
