According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), this Friday, the municipalities of Albufeira and Loulé in the Faro region were hit by an earthquake measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale, which caused no personal or property damage.
The IPMA statement said the quake’s epicenter was about 4km northeast of Albufeira and was recorded at 03:35 a.m. at stations on the Mainland Seismic Network.
This shock with maximum IV/V intensity (modified Mercalli scale) was felt in the municipalities of Albufeira and Loulé (Faro).
To a lesser extent, this was felt even in the municipalities of Faro, Lagoa, Portimão and Silves (Faro).
Earthquakes are classified by magnitude into micro (less than 2.0), very weak (2.0-2.9), small (3.0-3.9), weak (4.0-4.9), moderate (5 .0-5.9), strong (6.0-6.9). , major (7.0–7.9), important (8.0–8.9), exceptional (9.0–9.9), and extreme (more than 10).
The maximum intensity IV (moderate) and V (severe) on the modified Mercalli scale means that the vibration is similar to the vibration caused by passing vehicles, the swaying of parked cars, the shaking of windows and doors, and is felt outside the home.