An earthquake was recorded by CIVISA at 10:18 PM local time (11:18 PM in Lisbon) with the epicenter approximately four kilometers northeast of Santa Bárbara.
“According to the information available so far, the earthquake was felt with a maximum intensity of IV (Modified Mercalli Scale) in Santa Bárbara, Doze Ribeiras, Serreta, Cinco Ribeiras, São Bartolomeu de Regatos, and Terra Chã (municipality of Angra do Heroísmo),” it stated.
The event was also felt with an intensity of III in Raminho and São Mateus da Calheta, also in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo.
CIVISA noted that the tremor “is part of the ongoing seismic-volcanic crisis on Terceira Island since June 2022.”
The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) also issued a statement regarding the earthquake, attributing it a magnitude of 2.4 with the epicenter about four kilometers north-northeast of Santa Bárbara.
The tremor “was felt with a maximum intensity of IV (Modified Mercalli Scale) in the parish of Santa Bárbara” and with lesser intensity in the parishes of Cinco Ribeiras, São Bartolomeu de Regatos, and Terra Chã, it indicated.
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 (above 10).
The Modified Mercalli Scale measures the “degrees of intensity and respective description.”
With an intensity of IV, considered moderate, “hanging objects swing, the vibration is similar to that caused by the passage of heavy vehicles or the sensation of a heavy ball striking walls, parked cars rock, windows, doors, and dishes rattle, and glassware and dishes clink or tinkle, and at the upper end of this degree, walls and wooden structures creak,” describes IPMA on its website.
With an intensity of III, the tremor is considered weak, felt indoors, causing suspended objects to swing, with a “vibration similar to that caused by the passage of heavy vehicles.”
