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An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 4.3 was recorded in the province of Almería during the early hours of Monday February 16, 2026, after striking at 00.55am. The epicentre was located six kilometres from the desert town of Tabernas, in the interior of the province.

 

Preliminary information released by the National Geographic Institute (IGN) indicates that the earthquake occurred at a depth of just three kilometres. Its shallow nature explains why it was clearly felt by residents across a wide area of southeast Spain.

 

The earthquake was detected on the surface in the Los Filabres region, where up to 14 aftershocks were recorded in the hours that followed. The strongest of these measured 2.6 in magnitude and occurred at 05.38am.

 

There have so far been no reports of personal injury or material damage.

 

 

As well as Almería, the earthquake was felt in numerous towns and cities across the neighbouring provinces of Murcia, Granada and Jaén.

 

In the province of Almería, the epicentre area near Tabernas reported the strongest effects. The tremor was felt in Tabernas, Bacares, Serón and Gádor. An intensity of IV was recorded in Alhabia, Tíjola and Olula del Río, while intensity III-IV was reported in Abla, Albanchez, Alsodux, Benahadux, Cuevas del Almanzora, Lubrín, Fines, Íllar, Cantoria, La Mojonera, Gérgal, Huércal de Almería, Macael, Oria and Pechina.

 

It was felt with intensity III in Bayarque, Benizalón, Almería city, El Ejido, Los Gallardos, Vícar, Níjar, Rioja, Senés, Sorbas, Turre and Vera. An intensity of II-III was reported in Carboneras, Chercos, Arboleas and Garrucha.

 

Beyond Almería, the earthquake was also felt with intensity II-III in Linares, Quesada, Santo Tomé, Villacarrillo, La Carolina, Úbeda and Baeza – all in Jaén province – as well as in Cúllar, Motril, Santa Fe de Mondújar and Líjar in Granada province.

 

In the Region of Murcia, the tremor reached intensity II in several western areas, including Lorca, Molina de Segura, Mula and Mazarrón.

 

This is the strongest earthquake to be detected in the area in recent times. It slightly exceeds the magnitude 4.2 tremor registered on October 29, 2025, making it the most significant seismic event in the province for several months.

 

Image: IGN