An earthquake measuring 2.2 on the Richter scale was felt on Wednesday on the island of Terceira in the Azores as part of the ongoing seismovolcanic crisis, the Azores Seismovolcanic Information and Monitoring Center (CIVISA) reported.
According to CIVISA, the earthquake was recorded at 11:35 local time (12:45 in Lisbon) and had an epicentre about four kilometres north-east (NE) of Santa Barbara.
“According to the information currently available, an earthquake with a maximum intensity of III (modified Mercalli scale) was felt in Santa Barbara (municipality of Angra do Heroismo),” CIVISA said.
The tremor “is part of the ongoing seismovolcanic crisis on Terceira Island since June 2022.” On June 27, due to seismic activity on the island, CIVISA raised the alert level for the Santa Barbara volcano to V3 and for the island’s fissure volcanic system to V1.
On the Richter scale, earthquakes are classified by magnitude as 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), 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).
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 swing,” feeling “a vibration similar to that caused by the passage of heavy vehicles,” the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere reports on your computer. Website