An earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale was felt this afternoon on the island of Terceira in the Azores without causing any personal or property damage, the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) said.
According to the IPMA statement, the earthquake was recorded at 13:00 local time (14:00 Lisbon time) “at stations of the seismic network of the Azores archipelago” and had an epicenter “approximately 4 kilometers east of Serreta”, on the island of Terceira. .
“This earthquake, as reported to date, did not cause any personal or property damage and was felt at maximum intensity V (modified Mercalli scale) in the parish of Cinco Ribeiras (Terceira),” the statement said.
It was also felt “with less intensity in the parishes of Altares, Terra Chan, Santa Luzia, Feteira, Ribeirinha and Biscoitos,” IPMA adds.
At 3:28 am local time (4:28 am Lisbon time) this Sunday, another earthquake measuring 2.4 on the Richter scale was already recorded on the island of Terceira.
According to the Azores Center for Seismovolcanic Information and Observation (CIVISA), this earthquake “was felt with maximum intensity IV (modified Mercalli scale) in Santa Barbara and Dose Ribeiras (municipality of Angra do Heroismo).
These events are part of the ongoing seismovolcanic 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), medium (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 above 10).
The Modified Mercalli Scale measures “degree of intensity and corresponding description.”