Four earthquakes with magnitudes between 1.5 and 2.3 felt today on the island of Terceira

Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, May 6, 2024 (Lusa) – Four earthquakes with magnitudes between 1.5 and 2.3 on the Richter scale were felt today on the island of Terceira, in the Azores, reported the Azores Seismovolcanic Information and Surveillance Center ( CIVISA).

According to CIVISA, the first shock was recorded at 19:21 local time (20:21 in Lisbon) and the last at 21:19 local time (22:19 in Lisbon).

The 19:21 local shock, with magnitude 1.5 on the Ritcher scale and epicenter approximately four kilometers east-northeast of Santa Bárbara, was felt with maximum intensity III (Modified Mercalli scale) in Doze Ribeiras.

The second earthquake occurred at 8:20 pm local time (9:20 pm in Lisbon), was of magnitude 1.8 and had its epicenter around five kilometers south of Altares. According to CIVISA, it was felt with maximum intensity III in Doze Ribeiras.

At 21:04 local time (22:04 in Lisbon) the third event occurred, with magnitude 2.3 and with an epicenter around three kilometers southeast of Serreta.

The earthquake was felt with maximum intensity III/IV in Serreta and with intensity III in Raminho and Doze Ribeiras.

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) also issued a statement indicating that this earthquake (which it classified as a magnitude of 2.4 on the Richter scale), “according to the information available so far, did not cause any damage personal or material and was felt with maximum intensity III (modified Mercalli scale) in the Parish of Serreta”.

The fourth earthquake, which was felt at 21:19 local time (22:19 in Lisbon), had a magnitude of 1.7 and an epicenter around two kilometers southeast of Serreta.

CIVISA said that it was felt with maximum intensity III in Doze Ribeiras.

The events are part of the ongoing seismovolcanic crisis on the island of Terceira since June 2022.

According to the Richter scale, earthquakes are classified according to their magnitude as micro (less than 2.0), very small (2.0-2.9), small (3.0-3.9), slight (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 respective description”.

With intensity III, considered weak, the shock is felt inside the house and hanging objects swing, perceiving a “vibration similar to that caused by the passage of heavy vehicles”, describes the IPMA on its website.

Already at intensity IV, understood as moderate, parked cars shake; windows, doors and dishes shake; glass and crockery rattle or clank, as described.

PUB