An earthquake was recorded at 02:31 (one hour ahead in Lisbon) with an epicenter approximately 21 kilometers north-northeast of Topo, in the Calheta municipality, as reported by CIVISA.
“According to the information available so far, the earthquake was felt with a maximum intensity of III (Modified Mercalli scale) in Topo,” it was noted.
The event is part of the seismic activity “that has been recorded in the Central group since June 2022.” The Central group of the archipelago consists of five islands: São Jorge, Faial, Pico, Graciosa, and Terceira.
CIVISA, which continues to monitor the situation, does not rule out the possibility of “further events being felt by the population.”
According to the Richter scale, earthquakes are classified by 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), exceptional (9.0-9.9), and extreme (when over 10).
The Modified Mercalli scale measures “degrees of intensity and respective description.”
With an intensity of III, considered weak, the tremor is felt indoors, pendulum-like objects swing, and “a vibration similar to that caused by the passage of heavy vehicles” is felt, as described by the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere on its website.
