El Hierro sees increased seismicity in the magmatic process but some stabilization in the deformations

July 3, 2012 – CANARY ISLANDS – During the night, the 24 hour volcano monitoring network of THE National Geographic Institute (IGN) recorded a total of 71 earthquakes of between 4.2 and 1.5 magnitude on the Richter scale on the island of El Hierro. The largest earthquakes were felt on several sides of the island. The first one, of 3.8 degrees, occurred at 02.29 hours, the second, of 4.2 degrees, two minutes later: at 02.31 hours. They were located 21 kilometers deep. The rest were mainly recorded along the southwest Border, and were between 18 and 28 kilometers deep. The last of these, 2.5 degrees, occurred at 07.04 hours at about 19 kilometers deep. Also, on Monday a total of 107 earthquakes of between 4.4 and 1.5 magnitudes were reported the Isle of Meridian. Of these, six came to be felt by the population and is located southwest of Frontera. These ranged between 3.6 and 3 degrees, and were located about 20 kilometers deep. The maximum magnitude of this series, of 4.4 degrees was recorded at 22.42 hours, with its epicenter in the sea near the coast of Orchilla, 19 km deep with a maximum intensity of IV EMS. The depth of these earthquakes remains at around 20 kilometers (17 to 21 kilometers). According to a note of the Canary Islands, seismic activity in El Hierro has increased significantly, reaching one of the movements a magnitude of 4.4 on the Richter scale, located in the town of Frontera. For scientists, the National Geographic Institute (IGN), is in contact with the leadership of the Civil Protection Plan for Volcanic Risk (Pevolca), these earthquakes correspond to the evolution of magmatic process started last June 24. In this situation, the direction of the Plan has convened on Tuesday at 12.00 a Scientific Committee. The seismicity of active magmatic process that affects El Hierro has increased and shows a slower rate of growth in the deformations. So far, we have located more than 1505 earthquakes, 234 of which are of magnitude greater than 2.7 degrees on the Richter scale. The total cumulative displacement from June 24 through 24 hours of yesterday is about 7 centimeters in the horizontal components and the vertical deformation has been about 9 inches high. –Noticias  (translated)