An earthquake measuring magnitude 4.2 struck the El Bierzo region of León province, in Spain's Castile and León, at 22:34 local time on Thursday, October 15, 2026, according to Spain's National Geographic Institute (IGN), cited by elDebate and Infobae.
The tremor was felt well beyond León. Infobae reported that residents noticed the shaking in numerous Galician municipalities, including Lugo, O Barco de Valdeorras, Guntín, Chantada and Sarreaus. ElDebate also reported the tremor was felt in Galicia, including O Barco de Valdeorras, as well as in parts of Asturias. ElBierzoNoticias added that the movement was also perceptible in León's provincial capital and in towns including Ponferrada, Astorga, Villafranca del Bierzo, Bembibre and Cacabelos.
Epicenter and magnitude revised
The IGN initially located the epicenter southeast of Priaranza del Bierzo and gave a preliminary magnitude of 4.0 mbLg, Infobae reported. The institute later revised the data, moving the epicenter to the municipality of Benuza and adjusting the magnitude to 4.2.
Sources gave differing figures for the quake's depth: elDebate reported a depth of 10 kilometers, while elBierzoNoticias cited a depth of 0 kilometers. Neither outlet explained the discrepancy, which may reflect the same revision process that changed the epicenter and magnitude.
No injuries or material damage
Castile and León's regional emergency service, 112, said it received multiple calls from concerned residents but recorded no injuries or incidents, elDebate reported. Irene Cortés, the regional government's director general of Civil Protection, addressed the tremor in a statement on social media cited by the outlet. In Galicia, the regional emergency agency Axega likewise reported no casualties or material damage, according to Infobae.
One resident in the Bierzo area told elBierzoNoticias that they were ironing when they heard a loud noise and felt everything shake for a few seconds, describing the experience as frightening.
ElBierzoNoticias also reported that images circulating on social media purporting to show earthquake damage in Cacabelos were identified as AI-generated and did not depict real destruction.
Aftershocks recorded across the comarca
The IGN registered several smaller aftershocks following the main tremor. ElBierzoNoticias listed five additional events, while Infobae reported multiple aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 1.3 to 2.4, without specifying an exact total.
Aftershocks reported after the main tremor (per elBierzoNoticias)| Location | Magnitude |
|---|
| Priaranza del Bierzo | 2.0 |
|---|
| Priaranza del Bierzo | 1.7 |
|---|
| Priaranza del Bierzo | 1.3 |
|---|
| Molinaseca | 1.9 |
|---|
| Benuza | 1.7 |
|---|
What remains unclear
- The exact final depth of the quake, given the conflicting 10 km and 0 km figures reported by different outlets.
- Whether the IGN will issue any further revision to the magnitude or epicenter beyond the Benuza/4.2 update.
- Any longer-term inspection results for older buildings in the Bierzo comarca, which authorities had not addressed in initial statements.
Questions
- How strong was the earthquake in León, Spain?
- Spain's National Geographic Institute (IGN) measured the quake at magnitude 4.2, after an initial reading of 4.0, according to Infobae and elDebate.
- Where exactly was the epicenter?
- The IGN first placed the epicenter southeast of Priaranza del Bierzo, then revised it to the municipality of Benuza, both in León province, per Infobae.
- Was anyone hurt or was there damage?
- No. Castile and León's 112 emergency service and Galicia's Axega agency both reported no injuries or material damage, according to elDebate and Infobae.
- Where was the earthquake felt?
- Besides León's Bierzo comarca, it was felt in Galician municipalities such as Lugo and O Barco de Valdeorras, and in parts of Asturias, per Infobae and elDebate.
- Were the photos of quake damage shared online real?
- No. ElBierzoNoticias reported that images circulating on social media showing alleged damage in Cacabelos were AI-generated and did not show real destruction.
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