An earthquake measuring 2.3 on the Richter scale was felt this morning in several locations on the island of Terceira, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA).
According to an update from the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service, “according to the information available so far, the earthquake was felt with maximum intensity IV (modified Mercalli Scale) in Santa Bárbara, Doze Ribeiras, Serreta, Cinco Ribeiras, S. Bartolomeu and Terra Chã (municipality of Angra do Heroísmo). The event was also felt with III intensity in Posto Santo and S. Mateus (municipality of Angra do Heroísmo).”
The IPMA indicated that “an earthquake of magnitude 2.3 (Richter) was recorded at the stations of the Seismic Network of the Azores Archipelago” at 04:39 local time (05:39 in Lisbon), and had an epicenter approximately four kilometers away, near Doze Ribeiras (Terceira).
“According to the information available so far, this earthquake did not cause any personal or material damage,” the IPMA said.
This morning’s earthquake “is part of the seismovolcanic crisis affecting the island of Terceira since June 2022,” said the Azores Seismovolcanic Information and Surveillance Centre (CIVISA).
On June 27, CIVISA raised the alert level of the Santa Barbara volcano to V3 and that of the island’s fissure volcanic system to V1.
At the volcanic alert levels, V0 means “state of rest” and V6 “eruption in progress”, according to information available on the CIVISA website. Level V3 confirms the reactivation of the volcanic system, with signs of high activity.
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), slight (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 greater than 10).
Source: Observadora
