An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.1 on the Richter scale was felt on Terceira at 11:04 local time (12:04 in Lisbon), the second earthquake recorded on the Azorean island today, the authorities said.
According to the Azores Seismic Information and Surveillance Center (CIVISA), the earthquake had its epicenter about five kilometers east of Serreta.
“According to the information available so far, the earthquake was felt with maximum intensity III (Modified Mercalli scale) in Santa Bárbara and Doze Ribeiras (Angra do Heroísmo municipality),” CIVISA said in a statement.
At 05:07 local time (06:07 in Lisbon) today, an earthquake with a magnitude of 2.2 on the Richter scale and an epicenter about three kilometers east of Serreta had already been recorded.
The earthquake was felt with maximum intensity III/IV (Modified Mercalli scale) in Serreta (Angra do Heroísmo municipality) and with intensity III in Raminho, in the same municipality.
The two events are part of the ongoing seismic crisis on Terceira Island 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 their description”.
With an intensity of III, considered weak, the tremor is felt inside the house and pending objects sway, with a “vibration similar to that caused by the passage of heavy vehicles”, reveals the Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA) on its website.
When there is an intensity IV, considered moderate, parked cars sway, windows, doors and crockery shake and “glass and crockery rattle or clink”, and walls or wooden structures may creak.
