More tremors likely in Granada for days and weeks. Regional president urges calm and caution

Juanma Moreno, president of the Junta de Andalucia, has warned residents that more seismic movements are very probable in Granada province over the coming days and even weeks. He spoke on Sunday, August 16, from the advanced command post dealing with the Niebla fire in Huelva, calling for calm while stressing the need for caution after the weekend’s activity.

A magnitude 5 quake struck near Alhendin in the early hours of Saturday, reverberating through most of Andalucia. Overnight into Sunday a further series of tremors followed, the strongest measuring 3.1 near Armilla. Around twenty events were recorded in the southern metropolitan area, roughly half of them felt by people in towns, including Ogijares, Gojar, La Zubia and Churriana de la Vega.

What officials are saying

Moreno described even more tremors as both very possible and foreseeable. “We ask citizens that if they feel any tremor, they already know the manual on how to behave,” he said. He added that it is important to stay careful while the sequence continues.

He confirmed the main event produced no major damage and no fatalities, despite its scale and comparisons sometimes drawn with stronger quakes elsewhere. Volunteer architects from the College of Architects are already working with the regional emergency agency. Teams are checking buildings that show cracks or other defects to decide whether any problems are structural or only superficial. That inspection work continues.

Advice for residents and holidaymakers in the area

Anyone who feels the floor shaking should follow the established safety steps: drop, cover and hold on under sturdy furniture or against a solid wall, keep clear of windows and heavy objects, and stay away from façades, cornices and balconies once outside. Avoid unnecessary movement in and out of buildings and never use lifts during or straight after a tremor. Keep up to date via official channels rather than unverified social media posts.

Spain’s National Geographic Institute (IGN) is continuing to monitor the sequence closely. Regional guidance on how to prepare and react is available from the Agencia de Emergencias de Andalucia.

Earlier coverage and context

Granada sits in a known active zone and has experienced seismic series before. Experts describe the current activity as a typical mainshock-aftershock sequence that should gradually release less energy. Authorities remain on alert and will keep the public informed as inspections and monitoring progress.

Residents are asked to stay calm, apply the safety advice they already know, and report any serious structural concerns to the emergency services on 112.