An earthquake of magnitude 2.1 on the Richter scale was felt today on Terceira Island, according to a statement from the Azores Seismovolcanic Surveillance and Information Center (CIVISA).
The earthquake occurred at 3:27 p.m. (another time in Lisbon) and the epicenter was located about three kilometers from Serreta, in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo.
According to CIVISA, the earthquake was felt with maximum intensity III on the Modified Mercalli scale, in the Serreta parish.
The Modified Mercalli scale measures “degrees of intensity and their description”.
A level III on this scale refers to a “weak” event, which can be “felt inside”, and its “vibration is similar to that caused by the passage of heavy vehicles”, reads the Institute’s website. Portuguese of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA).
According to the Richter scale, earthquakes are classified according to their magnitude as micro (less than 2.0), very small (2.0-2.9), small (3.0-3.9), minor (4, 0-4.9), moderate (5.0-5.9), strong (6.0-6.9), large (7.0-7.9), important (8.0-8.9) , exceptional (9.0-9.9) and extreme (when it is greater than 10).
Source: Observadora
