The earth has trembled in Portugal! An earthquake of 5.3 on the Richter scale was recorded around 9 p.m. today in Madeira, and was felt throughout the region. According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Portuguese Atmosphere (IPMA), the earthquake occurred at 8:58 p.m. in the Atlantic Ocean southwest of the Desertas Islands, having reached a magnitude of 5.3 on Richter scale. It is the largest earthquake in Madeira's memory in Madeira, but so far no injuries or major damage has been recorded. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this earthquake that affected Madeira.
Earthquake of 5.3 on the Richter scale ini Madeira
According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), the earthquake occurred at 8:58 pm in the sea southwest of the Desertas Islands, and reached a magnitude of 5.3 on the Richter scale. The shock was strong and many Madeirans claim to have no memory of an earthquake so powerful on the island. The first reactions to the earthquake have already started to appear on the social network Twitter.
According to some reports from the population, the earthquake was felt for 30 seconds, started slowly and then ramped up. Many people have left their homes for fear of aftershocks. Objects and furniture fell to the ground according to several witnesses. The last time an earthquake of this magnitude was felt was in the 1970s.
Various public spaces and establishments such as shopping centers have been evacuated in accordance with security protocols. The shock was such that many Madeirans have no memory of a similar dossier.
It should be noted that an earthquake of this magnitude can cause significant damage to poorly designed buildings, causing only slight damage to more solid and well-structured buildings to cope with earthquakes.
"This earthquake, according to information available so far, did not cause any personal or material damage and was felt with maximum intensity IV / V (modified Mercalli scale) in the region of São Martinho (Funchal)" , indicates the IPMA according to with seismological information. The situation in the region is currently relatively calm after the earthquake with no aftershocks recorded.
