700 earthquakes recorded on São Jorge in 24 hours

… but only 48 felt locally

The earthquake of greater magnitude, 3.2 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 2:43 am this Sunday (March 20), having been felt by the populations of São Jorge and also the island of Pico.

About 700 earthquakes were recorded in the last 24 hours on the island of São Jorge, in the Azores, all of low magnitude, but only 48 were felt, revealed this Sunday a source from the Azores Seismovolcanic Information and Surveillance Center (CIVISA).

“We have already recorded, in the last 24 hours, about seven hundred earthquakes, all of low magnitude, following a seismic crisis that originated on Saturday in the Manadas volcanic fissure system, on the island of São Jorge, but only 48 of them were felt. by the population”, explained to Lusa the president of CIVISA, Rui Marques.

According to the same source, this fissure system, which coincides with the main volcanic cones of the island, is still active and now registers a release of energy that was not common in recent years.

“All the earthquakes felt in São Jorge since 5:11 pm on Saturday [6:11 pm in Lisbon] are of tectonic origin”, assured Rui Marques, adding that the largest earthquake, 3.2 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 2:43 am this Sunday and reached grade IV/V on the modified Mercalli scale, having been felt by the populations of São Jorge and also the island of Pico.

Four CIVISA technicians traveled this Sunday to the island of São Jorge, to closely monitor the evolution of the seismic crisis, which occurs in an area between the village of Velas, county seat, in the south of the island, and Fajã do Ouvidor, on the north coast, belonging to the same municipality.

“We are still evaluating the behavior pattern of this seismic crisis, which is now in a phase of lower energy release”, explained the president of CIVISA, adding that the seismic events “are now progressing towards the village of Velas”.about:blank

The Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA) has already announced that it has prepared a team, with telecommunications equipment, “to be designed for São Jorge”, in case the seismic crisis worsens.

“Civil Protection appeals to the population of the island of São Jorge to remain calm and to follow the information and recommendations disseminated by the authorities”, says the SRPCBA, in a statement.about:blank