An earthquake was recorded at 11:19 p.m. on Wednesday by the IPMA, with its epicenter located about eight kilometers east-northeast of Deserta Grande.
The Desertas Islands consist of three islands: Ilhéu Chão, Deserta Grande, and Bugio.
The information available up to the IPMA’s statement indicated that the tremor did not cause any personal or material damage and was felt with a maximum intensity of III (modified Mercalli scale) in the municipality of Santa Cruz (island of Madeira).
The institute also emphasized that if the situation warrants, further statements will be issued.
According to the Richter scale, earthquakes are classified by magnitude as micro (less than 2.0), very small (2.0-2.9), small (3.0-3.9), minor (4.0-4.9), moderate (5.0-5.9), strong (6.0-6.9), major (7.0-7.9), great (8.0-8.9), exceptional (9.0-9.9), and extreme (above 10).
The Modified Mercalli scale measures “degrees of intensity and their respective description.”
With an intensity of III, considered weak, the tremor is felt indoors, and hanging objects sway, perceived as a “vibration similar to that caused by the passage of heavy vehicles,” reveals IPMA on its website.
