The Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service of the Azores (SRPCBA) announced that an earthquake was registered by the Azores Seismovolcanic Information and Surveillance Center (CIVISA) at 15:41 local time (16:41 in Lisbon). The epicenter was determined to be approximately 23 kilometers north-northeast (NNE) of Topo, on the island of São Jorge.
“Based on the information available to date, the earthquake was felt with a maximum intensity of III (Modified Mercalli Intensity scale) in the areas of Doze Ribeiras and Altares, within the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo,” the statement revealed.
The Richter scale classifies earthquakes according to their magnitude as micro (less than 2.0), very minor (2.0-2.9), minor (3.0-3.9), light (4.0-4.9), moderate (5.0-5.9), strong (6.0-6.9), major (7.0-7.9), great (8.0-8.9), rare (9.0-9.9), and extreme (more than 10).
The Modified Mercalli Intensity scale measures the degrees of intensity and corresponding descriptions.
An intensity of III, considered weak, means that the tremor is typically felt indoors and hanging objects sway. It is perceived as “a vibration similar to the passage of light trucks,” according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere on its website.
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