The earthquake that struck Portugal early Monday morning was the 10th largest since the 16th century and has already had nine aftershocks, all of which were unnoticeable and of low magnitude, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale was recorded at 5:11 a.m. Monday at stations on the mainland seismic network, with its epicentre located about 60 kilometers west of Sines.
“In terms of magnitude and taking into account the area within a radius of 100 kilometers around the epicenter, this is the 10th largest earthquake to have occurred since the 16th century. The earthquake, known as the Setubal earthquake, had a magnitude of M7.1,” it reads.
IPMA also stressed that “the accelerometer station closest to the epicentre of the 26 August earthquake measured the highest ground acceleration values ever recorded by modern instruments on mainland Portugal.”
Nine small-magnitude aftershocks have been recorded since 5:47 a.m. Monday, the last of which occurred at 12:14 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, the IPMA said in a statement.
“The IPMA Macroseismic Online Questionnaire has already received over 19,000 testimonies relating to the impact of this earthquake,” he added.
According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere IPMA, the earthquake had a maximum intensity of IV/V on the Mercalli scale, classified as moderate or strong, and was accompanied by at least four recurrences.
At V intensity, which is considered severe, the effects can be felt outside the home. If it happens at night, it can wake people up, “fluids are disturbed and some of them leak out,” explains IPMA.
“Small objects in unstable equilibrium move or tip over. Doors swing, close or open. Blinds and pictures move. Pendulums of clocks stop or start or change their state of oscillation” when the intensity of V is recorded.
The shock was felt in several areas of Portugal, with greater force in the Setubal and Lisbon regions.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.