Two earthquakes of magnitude 3.4 and 3.3 on the Richter scale were felt on Thursday evening on the island of Faial, the Azores Center for Seismic Volcanic Information and Observation (CIVISA) reported this Friday.
According to CIVISA, the first earthquake was felt at 22:03 local time (23:03 in Lisbon), and the second at 22:14.
The epicenter of the first event, measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale, was about 40 kilometers west of Capelo.
“According to the information available today, the earthquake was felt with maximum intensity III (Modified Mercalli Scale) in the parishes of Capelo, Castelo Branco, Feteira, Angustias and Praia do Almoxarife (Municipality of Horta),” the information center said in a statement.
The epicenter of the second earthquake, magnitude 3.3, was located about 39 kilometers west of Capelo.
CIVISA said that “with maximum intensity III (Modified Mercalli Scale) it was felt in the parishes of Capelo, Castelo Branco and Feteira (Horta municipality).”
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), medium (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 more than 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 “vibrations similar to those caused by the passage of heavy vehicles,” the Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) said on its website.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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