Two earthquakes of magnitude 2.3 and 2.0 occurred on the island of Terceira

Two earthquakes of magnitude 2.3 and 2.0 on the Richter scale were felt this Sunday on the island of Terceira, the Azores Center for Seismic Volcanic Information and Observation (CIVISA) reported.

According to CIVISA, the first earthquake was felt at 05:44 local time (06:44 in Lisbon) and the second at 07:50 local time (08:50 in Lisbon).

The epicenter of the first event, measuring 2.3 on the Richter scale, was approximately three kilometers east of Serreta.

“According to the information currently available, an earthquake with maximum intensity IV (modified Mercalli scale) was felt in the parish of Santa Barbara (municipality of Angra do Heroismo),” the source said.

The epicenter of the second earthquake, magnitude 2.0, was located about three kilometers southeast of Serreta.

CIVISA said that “with maximum intensity IV (modified Mercalli scale) it was felt in the parish of Serreta (municipality of Angra do Heroismo).”

According to CIVISA, both events are part of the “ongoing seismic-volcanic crisis on the island of Terceira since June 2022.”

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), 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 IV, considered moderate, parked cars shake, windows, doors and utensils shake, glass and utensils rattle or clank, and walls or wooden structures may creak, the Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) describes on its website.