Three earthquakes measuring 2.1, 2.4 and 2.6 on the Richter scale were felt this morning on the island of Terceira in the Azores, the Azores Seismovolcanic Information and Observation Centre (CIVISA) reported.
According to information published on the CIVISA website, the first earthquake was recorded at 05:29 local time (06:29 Lisbon) and had a magnitude of 2.4 on the Richter scale and an epicenter approximately six kilometers northeast (NE) of Santa Barbara. The second, which occurred at 05:36 local time (06:36 Lisbon), had a magnitude of 2.1 and an epicenter approximately five kilometers south-southwest (SSW) of Altares.
Subsequently, at 06:19 local time (07:19 Lisbon time), a new event was recorded, measuring 2.6 on the Richter scale and with an epicentre approximately five kilometres south-southwest (SSW) of Altares, Terceira Island.
“According to the information available at this time, the first earthquake, with a maximum intensity of IV (modified Mercalli scale), was felt in Serrete, Raminho and Altares (municipality of Angra do Heroismo) and Biscoitos (municipality of Praia da Vitória). It was also felt with intensity III in Quatro Ribeiras (municipality of Praia da Vitória),” CIVISA said in a statement.
The second earthquake “was felt with a maximum intensity of IV (Modified Mercalli Scale) in Altares (municipality of Angra do Heroismo) and Biscoitos (municipality of Praia da Vitoria). The event was also felt with intensity III in Quatro Ribeiras (municipality of Praia da Vitoria),” he adds.
As for the third earthquake, recorded at 06:19 local time, “it was felt with a maximum intensity of IV (Modified Mercalli Scale) in Altares, Raminho, Serreta, Doza Ribeiras, Santa Barbara, Cinco Ribeiras and S. Bartolomeu (municipality of Angra do Heroismo), as well as Biscoitos and Quatro Ribeiras (municipality of Praia da Vitória),” CIVISA reports.
This event “was still felt with a III force in Terra Cha, Ribeirinha, Conceição and Se (municipality of Angra do Heroísmo),” he points out.
CIVISA also explains that the earthquakes are part of an ongoing seismovolcanic crisis on the island of Terceira since June 2022.
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 “degrees of intensity and corresponding description.”
At intensity III, considered weak, the shaking 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 (IPMA) said on its website.
At intensity IV, considered moderate, parked cars shake, windows, doors and dishes shake, “glasses and dishes rattle or clank,” and walls or wood structures may creak.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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