Granada seismic sequence exceeds 620 earthquakes, around 600 residents evacuated, Spain

Granada seismic sequence exceeds 620 earthquakes, around 600 residents evacuated, Spain

Teo Blašković

A shallow seismic sequence south of Granada, Spain, has produced more than 600 earthquakes since August 14, 2026, including two M4.8 events. Around 600 residents were evacuated in Las Gabias while hundreds of buildings were inspected for damage.

The sequence has been concentrated around Alhendín, Gójar and La Zubia, approximately 2–12 km (1.2–7.5 miles) south of Granada. Of the 621 earthquakes recorded between 00:00 UTC on August 14 and 11:00 UTC on August 19, most were below M2, 10 were M3 or greater, and 42 had been felt by the population.

IGN said the earthquakes were very shallow, at depths below 10 km (6.2 miles), increasing the intensity of shaking experienced near the epicentral area.

The two strongest earthquakes both reached Mw4.8 and maximum observed intensity V–VI on the EMS-98 scale. The first occurred at 01:04 LT on August 15 (23:04 UTC on August 14), followed by the second at 10:37 LT (08:37 UTC) on August 18.

Three of the strongest earthquakes following the August 18 Mw4.8 event occurred within about two hours — an Mw3.9 at 08:53 UTC, Mw4.2 at 09:34 UTC and Mw4.0 at 10:39 UTC. They were located south of Churriana de la Vega, north of Alhendín and northeast of Gójar, respectively.

The repeated shaking prompted extensive building inspections and evacuations. Around 600 residents were evacuated from six apartment blocks containing 371 dwellings in Las Gabias after damage was identified.

The Granada Provincial Council evacuated and relocated all 77 residents of the Reina Sofía Psychopedagogical Center after damage was identified at the facility. The residents were transferred to other care facilities in the province while emergency repairs and further inspections were arranged.

The strongest measured ground acceleration during the two Mw4.8 earthquakes reached 0.24 g at IGN’s Armilla station, approximately 3 km (1.9 miles) from the epicentral area.