More than 40 tremors shook Granada’s Alhendín area in a single day, part of an intense burst of seismic activity. The surge has left residents in the city and the southern metropolitan zone on edge, as several quakes were strong enough to be felt and have caused material damage and evacuations.
Data from the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) show that at least four earthquakes reached or exceeded a magnitude of 2 mbLg, while six were perceptible to the population. Most tremors, but, went unnoticed. The renewed seismic activity followed a brief period of relative calm, with Thursday’s events marking a clear increase in both frequency and intensity.
The day began with a 2.3 mbLg earthquake at 7:41 a.m., its epicenter located one kilometer deep, northeast of Armilla. Just minutes later, at 7:52 a.m., another shallow quake of 2.4 mbLg struck northwest of Churriana de la Vega. A 2.1 mbLg tremor with an epicenter in Armilla was also felt at 9:07 a.m., followed by a stronger 2.4 mbLg event in Otura at 9:21 a.m. After midday, a 2.2 mbLg quake with an epicenter in Vegas del Genil was reported at 2:45 p.m. The IGN classified it as intensity III, or ‘weak’.
The current seismic sequence in Alhendín began on August 14 with a 3.7 Mw earthquake and escalated with two impressive 4.8 Mw events, in the early hours of August 15 and the morning of August 18. The epicenters of these major quakes were pinpointed in Alhendín and the Gójar-Otura area. The stronger tremors triggered widespread alarm, prompting many residents to leave their homes and gather in the streets. The aftermath included visible wall cracks and fallen cornices, along with damaged chimneys and other structural issues. Some people suffered minor injuries, and several families remain displaced as authorities assess and repair the affected buildings.
Seismic activity is not uncommon in southern Spain, particularly in the Granada region, which sits atop several active fault lines. The area has a long history of moderate to strong earthquakes, and local authorities maintain protocols for rapid response and public safety. The IGN continues to monitor the situation, while emergency services remain on alert for further developments. Other regions in Spain have also faced natural disruptions recently, including the heavy storms that hit Galicia, as reported in recent coverage of severe weather events in the north.
Residents in Granada and its metropolitan area are advised to stay informed through official channels and follow any instructions from emergency services. While most earthquakes in the current series have been minor, the potential for stronger events remains, and authorities and the public are urged to stay vigilant and respond promptly.
