Historic volcanic drill comes to Tenerife
Spain’s first-ever full-scale volcanic eruption simulation is set to take place in Tenerife on September 26th. The ambitious exercise, part of the EU Modex program, will mobilize approximately one thousand people and involve the complete evacuation of the Muelle Viejo neighborhood in the municipality of Garachico. This drill represents the most significant step yet in the island’s comprehensive preventive strategy.
Why Garachico was chosen
The selection of Garachico for this critical simulation is deeply rooted in both history and science. As Cabildo de Tenerife President Rosa Dávila explained, this northern town suffered a devastating eruption in 1706 that fundamentally altered its destiny. Once the island’s main port, Garachico saw its social and economic prominence shift to Santa Cruz following the historical eruption. Mayor Heriberto González noted that this history has made local citizens particularly engaged, with informational meetings now drawing full crowds compared to sparse attendance in 2007.
Scientifically, Garachico sits within Tenerife’s northwestern ridge—an area classified with the highest red alert level on the island’s volcanic risk map. This geological reality, combined with its historical experience, makes it the ideal location to test emergency response systems.
The science behind the simulation
The Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) has prepared simulated data and will generate hazard maps for discussion during the exercise. All decisions will follow protocols established by the Canary Islands Volcanic Emergency Plan (Pevolca).
According to Nemesio Pérez, Scientific Director of the Canary Islands Volcanological Institute, while seismic activity has changed on Tenerife since 2006 with increased “swarms” of earthquakes, there’s no data suggesting an accelerated eruptive process. He noted that volcanic systems can remain dormant for extended periods, making preparedness exercises all the more valuable.
Simulation timeline: A minute-by-minute breakdown
The EU Modex Tenerife exercise begins on September 22nd with technical meetings, workshops, and public awareness activities continuing for two days. The main event culminates on the 26th, when all alert, coordination, management, and crisis communication procedures will be tested against a simulated eruption.
At 8:00 AM on September 26th, the National Geographic Institute will report an imminent eruption. The scientific committee will convene shortly after to analyze the situation. Within thirty minutes, maximum alert will be activated with suspension of all activities in potentially affected municipalities.
Around 8:30 AM, the advisory committee—including state administration representatives and Pevolca leadership—will meet. Together with directors of Tenerife’s Volcanic Risk Action Plan (Paiv), they will order the evacuation of Muelle Viejo in Garachico. Warnings will also be issued to residents of El Tanque and Santiago del Teide. These municipalities, along with Garachico, Guía de Isora, Icod de los Vinos, and La Orotava, all fall within the red zone of Tenerife’s volcanic risk map.
At approximately 9:00 AM, an ES ALERT message will clarify this is a drill. About an hour later, a simulated subaerial eruption will begin in the Arenas Negras area, triggering a red alert status. The Pevolca directorate plans to hold a press conference at noon, while an oceanographic vessel from the Spanish Oceanography Institute will position itself off Garachico’s coast to capture images and collect samples of the simulated eruption. The drill concludes around 2:00 PM with personnel standing down and a public appearance.
Island-wide coordination
The presentation of these plans included numerous key figures: Tenerife’s Minister of Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez; the Deputy Director of Civil Protection and Emergencies for the Canarian Government, Carlos Esquivel; and the Government Subdelegate in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Jesús Plata.
Also participating were an EU Modex representative via internet and the Head of Civil Protection for the Cabildo de Tenerife, Néstor Padrón, highlighting the coordinated effort across multiple agencies for this unprecedented preparedness exercise.
