An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.5 on the Richter scale was felt this morning in the municipalities of Moura and Mourão, in the Alentejo, said the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
The quake occurred at 11:21 pm on Saturday and was registered in the mainland seismic network stations.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located about 14 kilometers southeast of Mourão, in the district of Evora, said the IPMA in a statement.
The occurrence “caused no personal or material damage and was felt with maximum intensity II/III (modified Mercalli scale)” in the municipalities of Moura, in the district of Beja, and in the municipality of Mourão, he added.
“If the situation warrants it, new communiqués will be issued,” it said in the same note.
Earthquakes are classified according to 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), major (8.0-8.9), exceptional (9.0-9.9), and extreme (greater than 10).
The maximum intensity IV (moderate) and V (strong) of the modified Mercalli scale means that the vibration is similar to that caused by passing vehicles, parked cars sway, windows and doors shake, and it is felt outside the house.