Four earthquakes with magnitudes between 1.5 and 2.3 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 first shock was recorded at 7:21 p.m. local time (8:21 p.m. in Lisbon) and the last at 9:19 p.m. local time (10:19 p.m. in Lisbon).
The crash at 7:21 p.m. local time, with magnitude 1.5 on the Richter scale and epicenter approximately four kilometers northeast of Santa Bárbara, it was felt with maximum intensity III (modified Mercalli scale) in Doze Ribeiras.
The second earthquake occurred at 20:20 local time (21:20 in Lisbon), it was magnitude 1.8 and had its epicenter about five kilometers south of Altares. According to CIVISA, it was felt with maximum intensity III in Doze Ribeiras.
At 21:04 local time (22:04 in Lisbon) the third event took place, with magnitude 2.3 and with an epicenter approximately three kilometers southeast of Serreta.
The earthquake was felt with maximum intensity III/IV in Serreta and with intensity III in Raminho and Doze Ribeiras.
The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) also issued a statement indicating that this earthquake (which it classified as having a magnitude of 2.4 on the Richter scale), “according to the information available so far, did not cause any damage.” personal or material and was felt with maximum intensity III (modified Mercalli scale) in the Serreta Parish.”
The fourth earthquake, which was felt at 9:19 p.m. local time (10:19 p.m. in Lisbon), had magnitude 1.7 and epicenter about two kilometers southeast of Serreta.
CIVISA said that it was felt with maximum intensity III in Doze Ribeiras.
The events are part of the earthquake crisis ongoing on Terceira Island since June 2022.
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.”
At intensity III, considered weak, the shock is felt inside the house and the hanging objects sway, perceiving a “vibration similar to that caused by the passage of heavy vehicles,” the IPMA describes on its website.
Already at intensity IV, understood as moderate, the parked cars shake; the windows, doors and dishes shake; Glasses and dishes rattle or clank, as described.
Source: Observadora
