A Real-World Test for a Volcanic Island
In Tenerife, emergency preparedness is no longer just a training scenario. The Island Council has officially activated the Island Plan for Volcanic Risk (PAIV) on a pre-alert level. This is part of the largest volcanic crisis management simulation ever held in Spain. Although it falls under the international exercise EU-MODEX Garachico 2025, the measures implemented starting today are real. The island is now at protection and security level 3, which means road closures towards Mount Teide and the forest crown, a suspension of hunting, a ban on hiking activities, and restricted access to the Teno Rural Park.
The Simulated Crisis Scenario
According to the technical scenario recreated by the Canary Islands Volcanic Emergency Plan (PEVOLCA), a simulated magmatic intrusion in Tenerife’s northwest ridge has raised the risk level. The areas identified as most vulnerable include the municipalities of Garachico, Icod de los Vinos, El Tanque, Los Silos, Buenavista del Norte, Guía de Isora, and Santiago del Teide. The drill aims to test the effectiveness of the system in the event of a real eruption using the ES-ALERT system, the official emergency communication tool that sends direct messages to the mobile phones of the affected population.
Friday’s Emergency Alert Timeline
Throughout Friday morning, the population will receive alert messages via the ES-ALERT system on the following approximate schedule:
09:00: Evacuation message arrives for the population of Garachico.
09:20: The entire population of Tenerife receives a general message.
12:00: The population of El Tanque begins a confinement order.
13:00: Confinement ends in El Tanque and evacuation concludes in Garachico.
14:00: The evacuation phase officially ends.
Testing Protocols and Coordination
“The goal of the simulation is to test eruption response protocols, improve coordination between administrations, security forces, and emergency services, and enhance communication with citizens during a crisis,” stated the Tenerife Island Council. On Friday the 26th, a real evacuation of 200 people will take place in Garachico, alongside simulated multiple-incident responses, animal evacuations, rescue operations, volcanic gas control, and coordination with drones. Institutions will test their response, communication, and social assistance capabilities.
An Unprecedented Scale of Participation
Over 1,000 people are participating, including emergency personnel, volunteers, scientists, and role-players, with support from local, national, and European institutions. The exercise is being closely monitored by 64 accredited media outlets and 168 journalists, including representatives from Le Monde, Agence France-Presse, and Videre TV. Beyond the technical deployment, working groups are focusing on evacuation procedures, shelters, communication strategies, and the protection of vulnerable individuals. A Scientific Committee involving the National Geographic Institute (IGN), the Canarian Volcanology Institute (INVOLCAN), the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and universities has also been activated to assess the crisis in real-time and identify areas for improvement in risk management.
How to Follow the Simulation Live
The entire simulation can be followed live from 08:00 to 14:00 hours via YouTube or the Official Channel of the Tenerife Island Council. Residents of Garachico can also watch the events unfold in real-time on giant screens set up in the Plaza de los Amantes.
Garachico: A Town with a Volcanic Past
The choice of Garachico is not accidental. In 1706, the Trevejo volcano buried its ancient port, and today that past returns as a drill. The simulation turns the municipality into a resilience laboratory, where residents and authorities recreate a scenario of lava flows, toxic gases, evacuations, and uncertainty. Since early September, organizers have worked closely with residents to coordinate their active participation. This high level of community involvement has been crucial and reveals a growing awareness of the natural risks inherent to living on volcanic islands.
