3.7 earthquake on the Richter scale felt in the municipalities of Albufeira and Loulé – Portugal

An earthquake of magnitude 3.7 on the Richter scale was felt this Friday in the municipalities of Albufeira and Loulé, in the district of Faro, without causing personal or material damage, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA).

In a statement, the IPMA said that the earthquake had its epicenter about 4 kilometers northeast of Albufeira and was recorded at 03:35 at the stations of the Mainland Seismic Network.

This shock was felt with maximum intensity IV/V (modified Mercalli scale) in the municipalities of Albufeira and Loulé (Faro).

It was even felt with less intensity in the municipalities of Faro, Lagoa, Portimão and Silves (Faro).

Earthquakes are classified according to their magnitude as micro (less than 2.0), very small (2.0-2.9), small (3.0-3.9), slight (4.0-4.9 ), moderate (5.0-5.9), strong (6.0-6.9), large (7.0-7.9), important (8.0-8.9), exceptional (9. 0-9.9) and extreme (greater than 10).

The maximum intensity IV (moderate) and V (strong) of the modified Mercalli scale means that the vibration is similar to that caused by passing vehicles, parked cars sway, windows and doors shake and is felt outside the home.