On the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service website, it is reported that the earthquake was recorded by the Azores Seismovolcan Information and Surveillance Center (CIVISA), at 22:40 local time on Monday (23:40 in Lisbon), with an epicentre about 51 kilometres east of Santo Espírito, on the island of Santa Maria, located in the eastern group of the Azorean archipelago.

“According to the information available so far, the earthquake was felt with maximum intensity III/IV (Modified Mercalli Scale) in Vila do Porto, São Pedro, Almagreira and Santo Espírito (municipality of Vila do Porto)”, adds Civil Protection.

The Modified Mercalli Scale measures the “degrees of intensity and respective description” and, when there is an intensity of IV, considered “Moderate”, “parked cars shake”, “windows, doors and dishes shake” and “glasses and dishes collide or jingle”, reveals the Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) on its website.