Portugal's Coast Struck by 5.3 Magnitude Earthquake
Portugal's Coast Struck by 5.3 Magnitude Earthquake
The earthquake struck in waters 7.7 km southeast of Lisbon, the capital, and 74 km southwest of Setúbal.
In the early hours of Monday morning, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 5.4 struck, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre. The tremor was most intensely felt in the Sines, Lisbon, and Setúbal regions, with reports on social media indicating it was noticeable as far away as Porto, Spain, and Morocco.
The Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA) later adjusted the earthquake’s magnitude to 5.3. The quake occurred at 5:11 a.m. local time (6:11 a.m. CET), with its epicenter located 58 kilometers west of Sines, offshore, and at a depth of 21 kilometers.
Commander José Miranda from the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) reported receiving numerous calls from concerned residents. As of 6:00 a.m. local time, there were no confirmed reports of casualties or significant damage, though assessments were underway for potential cracks in buildings in Sesimbra.
The Portuguese government issued a statement confirming close coordination with relevant services and assured that there was no reported personal or material damage. The government advised the public to stay calm and follow the recommendations of ANEPC.
The quake was not severe enough to trigger a tsunami warning for the US East Coast or Europe.
More than 2,000 people reported feeling the earthquake through the USGS “Did you feel it?” tool.
Keira McCann, who resides in a ground-floor apartment, described the experience: “The entire building shook above us, and the floor below us felt like it was sinking. Our dogs woke up and were quite agitated. We did not expect to experience this in Portugal.” Vera Fassbender, living on the 8th floor in Lisbon, noted, “It was a light shaking but very noticeable and somewhat frightening.”
The quake was also perceptible in parts of Morocco, including Casablanca. Rimah Oubella in Casablanca commented, “Initially, I thought I was just shaking in my sleep until my brother woke me up, saying he felt it too. It wasn’t a strong shake, but enough for the bed and my body to move.”
USGS data indicates no recent earthquakes within 400 km of the epicenter in the last 30 days. While Portugal does experience several minor earthquakes each year, particularly in the southern region and the Azores, the country is situated near the boundary of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates, making it prone to seismic activity.
The earthquake on Monday was the strongest to hit Portugal since a 5.6 magnitude quake in 2009. The most devastating earthquake in the country’s history occurred in 1755, known as the Great Lisbon Earthquake, with an estimated magnitude of 8.5-9.0, resulting in the deaths of at least 50,000 people, including around 10,000 in Morocco.
