Seismic activity in the metropolitan area of Granada has totaled 348 events, with the most significant being a magnitude 4.8 earthquake that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, August 15. Most of the detected tremors are below magnitude 2, and all have occurred at depths of less than 10 kilometers. Of these, 37 have been felt by the population.
The latest event was recorded this Monday in Armilla, with a magnitude of 2.1. The IGN, under the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, has published a report detailing that the main earthquake, finally measured at 4.8, was preceded by a 3.7 tremor about six hours earlier and a 3.6 tremor on July 26 southwest of Armilla.
The main 4.8 earthquake was felt in over 500 localities, spanning central and eastern Andalucía, as well as parts of the Region of Murcia, southern Castilla-La Mancha, and even the Community of Madrid. The maximum observed intensity was V-VI (EMS-98) in Granada towns, and the IGN has received over 12,000 questionnaires regarding the event.
Non-structural damage and falling objects have been reported in buildings within the epicentral zone. Seismic moment tensor (TMS) analysis for the main earthquake and the preceding 3.7 tremor indicates normal fault mechanisms, consistent with the region's active faults, such as those of Dílar to the south, Granada to the east, and Belicena-Alhendín to the west.
For monitoring purposes, the IGN operates 52 permanent seismic sensors within a 50 km radius of the epicentral zone, including 30 accelerometers and 20 low-cost Silex accelerographs. The closest stations are those in Armilla, Churriana de la Vega, and Dílar, at distances of 3 and 5 kilometers. Additionally, there is collaboration with seven stations from the Andalusian Institute of Geophysics (IAG).
To enhance surveillance, the IGN has deployed two portable seismic stations in the epicentral area to improve earthquake localization and characterization.
