The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) reported that a seismic event occurred with its epicenter approximately 10 kilometers south of Évora at 09:39.
The tremor “caused no personal or material damage and was felt with a maximum intensity of IV (modified Mercalli scale) in the municipality of Évora.”
The Sub-regional Command of Emergency and Civil Protection of Central Alentejo informed that “several residents reported to firefighters and other services having felt the earthquake, but at the moment there is no record of structural damage.”
The Richter scale classifies earthquakes according to their magnitude as micro (less than 2.0), very small (2.0-2.9), small (3.0-3.9), light (4.0-4.9), moderate (5.0-5.9), strong (6.0-6.9), large (7.0-7.9), significant (8.0-8.9), exceptional (9.0-9.9), and extreme (over 10).
The Modified Mercalli Scale measures “degrees of intensity and corresponding description.”
A maximum intensity of IV (moderate) and V (strong) on the modified Mercalli scale means that the vibration is similar to that caused by passing vehicles, parked cars sway, windows and doors rattle, and it can be felt outside houses.
