An earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale was felt this Monday, December 15th, in the municipality of Évora, without causing any personal or material damage, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
Em statementthe IPMA states that the earthquake had its epicenter around 10 kilometers south of Évora and was registered at 09:39.
The shock “did not cause any personal or material damage and was felt with maximum intensity IV (modified Mercalli scale) in the municipality of Évora”.
Contacted by Lusa, the Sub-regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command of Central Alentejo informed Lusa that there was “reports from several people who reported to the firefighters and other services that they felt the earthquake, but so far there is no record of structural damage”.
According to the Richter scale, earthquakes are classified according to their magnitude as micro (less than 2.0), very small (2.0-2.9), small (3.0-3.9), slight (4.0-4.9), moderate (5.0-5.9), strong (6.0-6.9), large (7.0-7.9), important (8.0-8.9), exceptional (9.0-9.9) and extreme. (when greater than 10).
The Modified Mercalli scale measures “degrees of intensity and respective description”.
The maximum intensity IV (moderate) and V (strong) of the modified Mercalli scale means that the vibration is similar to that caused by passing vehicles, parked cars shake, windows and doors shake and is felt outside the home.
It should be remembered that, in the early hours of Saturday (13 December), an earthquake of magnitude 4.1 was recorded at 00:38 by the IPMA southwest of Celorico da Beira, having been felt by residents in Viseu and surrounding areas.
According to IPMA, the epicenter of the event occurred at a depth of 23 kilometers, and was also felt in several municipalities in the districts of Viseu, Guarda, Aveiro, Castelo Branco and Vila Real.
“This earthquake, according to the information available to date, did not cause any personal or material damage and was felt with maximum intensity IV/V (modified Mercalli scale) in the municipality of Covilhã (Castelo Branco)”, highlighted the IPMA.