Two earthquakes of magnitude 4.2 and 4.4 on the Richter scale were felt this Tuesday on the island of Terceira, in the Azores, reported the Azores Seismovolcanic Information and Monitoring Center (CIVISA).
According to CIVISA, the tremors were recorded at 12:07 local time (1:07 p.m. in Lisbon) and at 12:10, Both events had their epicenter about 65 kilometers northwest (WNW) of Várzea.on the island of São Miguel.
“According to the information available so far, the earthquakes were felt with maximum intensity IV (Modified Mercalli Scale) in Santa Cruz, Vila das Lajes, Fontinhas, Cabo da Praia, Fonte do Bastardo, Porto Martins (Praia da Vitória), São Sebastião, Porto Judeu and Feteira (Angra do Heroísmo),” says CIVISA, in a statement.
The events “were also felt with intensity III/IV in São Brás (Praia da Vitória), Conceição, São Bento, Santa Luzia, Sé, São Pedro (Angra do Heroísmo), and intensity III in Vila Nova, Agualva, Quatro Ribeiras ( Praia da Vitória) and Posto Santo (Angra do Heroísmo),” he adds.
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), mild (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).
The Modified Mercalli scale measures “degrees of intensity and respective description.”
With intensity III, considered weak, the impact is felt inside the house and the hanging objects sway, perceiving a “vibration similar to that caused by the passage of heavy vehicles,” reveals the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere. (IPMA) on its website. .
When there is an intravenous intensity, considered moderate, parked cars shake, windows, doors and dishes shake and “glasses and plates rattle or clink”, and walls or wooden structures may creak.
Source: Observadora
