Earthquakes of magnitude 3.9 and 3.7 on the Richter scale felt on the island of Faial

According to CIVISA, the first earthquake, with a magnitude of 3.9 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 20:08 and had its epicenter about 42 kilometers west of Capelo, Faial Island.

The second earthquake, with a magnitude of 3.7 Richter scale, was felt at 21h50 and had its epicenter about 26 kilometers west-northwest also from Capelo.

The CIVISA also says that the first earthquake “was felt with maximum intensity IV (Modified Mercalli scale) in the parishes of Capelo, Castelo Branco and Feteira. And with intensity III/IV in the parishes of Angústias, Flamengos, Pedro Miguel, and Ribeirinha.

The second earthquake was felt with maximum intensity III/IV (Modified Mercalli scale) in the parish of Capelo”.

The CIVISA stressed that it continues to monitor the evolution of the situation.

According to the Richter scale, earthquakes are classified according to their magnitude as micro (less than 2.0), petite (2.0-2.9), small (3.0-3.9), mild (4.0-4.9), moderate (5.0-5.9), strong (6.0-6.9), large (7.0-7.9), critical (8.0-8.9), exceptional (9.0-9.9) and extreme (when more significant than 10).

The Modified Mercalli scale measures the “degrees of intensity and their description”.

When there is an intensity IV, considered moderate, “parked cars sway”, “windows, doors, and crockery shake,” and “glass and crockery rattle or tinkle”, and walls or wooden structures may creak, reveals the Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) on its website.

With an intensity III, considered weak, the tremor is “felt indoors” and “the hanging objects swing”, feeling a “vibration similar to that caused by the passage of heavy vehicles”, describes the IPMA.

Based on a news story published by the Açoriano Oriental in Ponta Delgada, translated by PBBI as par of our ADMA-Azoreas Diaspora Media Alliance Project.