An earthquake measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale was felt on the island of Terceira

According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), an earthquake of magnitude 3.3 on the Richter scale was felt this Thursday on the island of Terceira, in the central group of the Azores.

The earthquake was recorded at stations of the seismic network of the Azores archipelago at 5:49 a.m., and its epicenter was located about four kilometers northeast of Santa Barbara, in Terceira.

According to the IPMA, this earthquake did not cause personal or property damage and was felt at maximum intensity IV (modified Mercalli scale) in the parishes of Altares, Santa Barbara and Biscoitos (Terceira).

This was also felt with less intensity in the village of São Mateus da Calheta and in the parishes of Cinco Ribeiras, Terra Chan, São Bartolomeu (Terceira).

On Tuesday, three earthquakes with magnitudes of 2.7, 2.8 and 2.5 were recorded on the third island.

According to information provided on Tuesday by the Azores Center for Seismovolcanic Information and Observation (CIVISA), these earthquakes “are part of the ongoing seismovolcanic crisis on the island of Terceira since June 2022.”

On the Richter scale, earthquakes are classified by magnitude into micro (less than 2.0), very small (2.0-2.9), small (3.0-3.9), weak (4.0-4.9), moderate (5.0-5.9), 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 above 10).

The Modified Mercalli Scale measures “degree of intensity and corresponding description.”

At intensity III, considered weak, the shock is felt inside the house and hanging objects sway, feeling “a vibration similar to that caused by the passage of heavy vehicles,” the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) said on its webpage. .

At intensity IV, considered moderate, parked cars shake, windows, doors, and utensils shake, “glasses and utensils rattle or clank,” and walls or woodwork may creak.