Seismotectonics of the Canary Islands

Abstract

A revision of the seismicity, both historical and instrumental for the Canary Islands is presented. The occurrence on May 9, 1989 of an earthquake of magnitude 5.2 between the islands Gran Canaria and Tenerife, followed by a large number of aftershocks have been interpreted on seismotectonic grounds. The main conclusion is that a horizontal compressional stress regime in NW-SE direction is present in the region which is compatible with the tectonics in the northwestern part of the African continent. © 1992.