Quake came from depth of 17 kms
A 3.1 magnitude earthquake was felt at 03:44 this morning in the Évora region, according to IPMA meteorological institute.
With its epicentre close to the city, but coming from a depth of 17 kms, the quake was felt with a maximum intensity of IV on the Mercalli scale.
It did not appear to have caused any personal or material damage by the time IPMA’s press release was issued an hour later.
A quake measuring 3.1 on the Richter scale is considered to “have a small magnitude”.
In terms of intensity, however, level IV is considered moderate. “Suspended objects sway. The vibration is similar to that caused by passing heavy vehicles or the sensation of a heavy ball hitting walls. Parked cars sway. Windows, doors and crockery shake. Glass and crockery rattle or clink. At the top of this level, walls and wooden structures creak,” explains IPMA on its website, which carries registers of earthquakes over the past 30 days.
Source: LUSA
