Granada Hit by Another 4.7 Magnitude Shallow Earthquake
According to Spain’s National Geographic Institute (IGN), a magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck the province of Granada at 10:37 AM local time on August 18, 2026. The epicenter was located in the municipality of Gójar with a recorded depth of 0 kilometers, classifying it as an extremely shallow earthquake. Due to its proximity to the surface, the shaking was felt with unusual intensity across Granada city and several surrounding towns.
Widespread Tremors and Frequent Aftershocks
When the earthquake hit, residents in Granada city and various nearby towns, including Armilla, Maracena, Albolote, Alfacar, and Beas, felt several seconds of intense shaking. Reports indicate that many residents received Google’s earthquake alert on their phones, and some chose to evacuate buildings as a precaution. The tremor was also felt in parts of the neighboring provinces of Almería and Córdoba.
Approximately 16 minutes after the mainshock, at 10:53 AM, a strong 4.0 magnitude aftershock struck the area, increasing public anxiety. The IGN subsequently detected further aftershocks of magnitudes 2.9 and 2.6 in Padul and Las Gabias. The entire metropolitan area experienced continuous tremors in a short period.
Official Response and Social Impact
Following the earthquake, the Andalusia 112 emergency service center received over 50 calls, mainly reporting cracks in building walls or falling objects. However, there have been no official reports of injuries or casualties to date.
In response to the seismic event, the Granada Metro system announced that all trains would operate at a reduced speed of 30 km/h. Local police have also issued advisories, urging citizens to remain calm, avoid standing near buildings, balconies, or facades, be cautious of falling debris, and follow official instructions.
Context of Recent Seismic Activity
This 4.7 magnitude earthquake is part of a recent series of seismic events in the Granada region. Just four days earlier, on August 15, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred, leading to over 400 incident reports and nearly 100 aftershocks. Statistics from the National Geographic Institute show that 186 earthquakes have been recorded in the area in the last few days alone, bringing the total for August to 207. Authorities are continuously monitoring the seismic activity and encouraging residents to report their experiences through an online questionnaire to help more accurately assess the earthquake’s impact.
