We may only have big ones every 45 years or so, but this morning’s earthquake had some people feeling that the earth had truly moved.
According to the Portuguese Institute of Atmosphere and Sea – Madeira (IPMA-M) report, the first earthquake happened at 06:10 this morning off the northwest coast of Porto Moniz, registering 3.9 on the Richter Scale. Due to the intensity of the quake, some people would have felt it, although there have been no confirmed reports of this.
A second earthquake, again off the northeast coast of Porto Moniz, was recorded at 09:56 measuring 1.8 on the Richter Scale (IPMA website), other sources suggest the quake was 2.3.
Vitor Prior of the Portuguese Institute of Atmosphere and Sea – Madeira (IPMA-M), told reporters this was nothing to worry about, and that Madeira is not a potential earthquake hot spot!
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
