Terceira Island just experienced a 2.3 magnitude earthquake, and it’s not the first tremor today. It was the third quake to hit the island in just about three hours! The Seismovolcanic Information and Surveillance Center (CIVISA) reported that the earthquake struck at 3:56 am (4:56 am in Lisbon).
Earthquake Felt in the Azores: Impact and Intensity of Earthquake
From what we’ve gathered, folks in Serreta felt it quite strongly, registering a maximum intensity of IV on the Modified Mercalli Scale. Over in Biscoitos, they reported feeling it at an intensity of III.
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Earlier that same morning, a stronger earthquake with a magnitude of 3.7 shook Terceira Island, making it the third tremor to rattle the Azores in four hours. CIVISA noted that this one hit at 3:27 am (4:27 am in Lisbon). It’s been quite an eventful night for the islanders!
Its epicenter was about three kilometers south of Raminho, located in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo. CIVISA noted that people felt the tremor particularly strongly in the western part of Terceira, where it reached a maximum intensity of V on the Modified Mercalli scale.
Understanding the Modified Mercalli Scale
For reference, the Modified Mercalli scale measures degrees of intensity and their description. Intensity V earthquakes, considered strong, have noticeable effects both indoors and outdoors.
- People are woken up, and the tremors are felt outside the home.
- Liquids oscillate, and some may even overflow.
- Small objects that are not securely balanced may move or fall over.
- Doors can oscillate, open, or close.
- Blinds and pictures shift, and clock pendulums may stop or alter their oscillation.
These details come from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) website. Whereas intensity IV is considered moderate and several effects are noticeable:
- Suspended objects sway.
- The vibration feels similar to that caused by passing heavy vehicles or the impact of a heavy ball against walls.
- Parked cars may sway.
- Windows, doors, and crockery shake.
- Glass and crockery may clash or tinkle.
- At the higher end of this intensity, walls and wooden structures creak.
Ongoing Seismic Activity
The IPMA assessed the earthquake’s magnitude at 3.9 on the Richter scale, estimating the epicenter to be located approximately four kilometers east-southeast of Serreta, within the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo.
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Additionally, they recorded another tremor measuring 2.6 on the Richter scale at 1:26 am (2:26 am in Lisbon). This tremor had its epicenter around four kilometers east of Serreta, according to CIVISA.
In a statement, CIVISA said that:
The earthquake was felt with maximum intensity IV (Modified Mercalli Scale) in Serreta, Raminho, Altares, S. Bartolomeu (municipality of Angra do Heroísmo) and Biscoitos (municipality of Praia da Vitória).
CIVISA further revealed that the tremors this morning are part of the ongoing seismic-volcanic crisis on Terceira Island since June 2022. On June 27, CIVISA raised the alert level for the Santa Bárbara volcano to V3 and the fissure volcanic system on Terceira Island to V1.
In the volcanic alert system, V0 indicates a state of rest, while V6 signifies an ongoing eruption,”according to CIVISA’s website. Level V3 confirms the reactivation of the volcanic system, indicating signs of high activity.
Additionally, the center reported that a tremor measuring 2.6 on the Richter scale shook the island of Faial at 11:32 pm (00:32 on Monday in Lisbon). Faial is also part of the central Azores group.
