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Lisbon Earthquake Today: 5.4 Magnitude Tremor Jolts Portugal

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In the early hours of Monday, residents in Lisbon and surrounding regions experienced a significant earthquake, marking the strongest seismic activity in Portugal since 2009. The earthquake, originally reported as a magnitude 5.4 by the US Geophysical Institute (USGS) and the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, was later revised to a 5.3 magnitude by the Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA). This event has left the region on edge, though no major damage or casualties have been reported.

Lisbon Earthquake Today 5.4 Magnitude Tremor Jolts Portugal

The Epicenter and Impacted Areas

The quake struck at approximately 5:11 AM local time, with its epicenter located 58 kilometers west of Sines, deep in the Atlantic Ocean. The tremor was felt most strongly in Lisbon, Sines, and Setúbal, with reports from as far away as Porto, Spain, and Morocco. The quake’s depth was recorded at 21 kilometers, contributing to its widespread reach.

Despite the relatively moderate magnitude, the tremor’s effects were widely felt. Social media was abuzz with firsthand accounts of the earthquake, with many residents describing their experiences. Keira McCann, a Lisbon resident, shared that her ground-floor apartment shook violently, causing her dogs to wake up in a panic. Another resident, Vera Fassbender, who lives on the 8th floor, described the experience as “a light shaking but very noticeable and also a bit scary!”

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Emergency Response and Public Reaction

The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) was quickly inundated with calls from concerned citizens wanting to know what had happened and what steps they should take. According to Commander José Miranda of the ANEPC, the authority received numerous calls but fortunately, no reports of significant damage or injuries have emerged. A minor incident involving potential cracks in buildings in Sesimbra is currently under investigation, but no serious damage has been confirmed.

The Portuguese government issued a statement soon after the earthquake, reassuring the public that there were no reports of casualties or significant material damage. The government emphasized the importance of remaining calm and following the guidance of emergency services.

Seismic History of Portugal

While today’s earthquake was the strongest in over a decade, Portugal’s location near the boundary of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates makes it prone to seismic activity. The country experiences several minor earthquakes annually, most of which are below a magnitude of 3.0 and go unnoticed by the population. However, quakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 5.0, like the one felt today, are less frequent but can be more noticeable and potentially damaging.

Historically, Portugal has seen much more severe seismic events. The most devastating of these was the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755, with an estimated magnitude of 8.5 to 9.0. This catastrophic event resulted in the deaths of at least 50,000 people in Portugal, including 10,000 in Morocco, and remains one of the most significant earthquakes in European history.

Conclusion

The Lisbon earthquake today serves as a reminder of Portugal’s vulnerability to seismic activity due to its tectonic positioning. While the 5.4 magnitude quake was strong enough to be felt across the region and beyond, it thankfully did not result in significant damage or loss of life. As authorities continue to monitor the situation and assess any potential structural damage, residents are urged to stay informed and prepared for any future seismic events.

For now, Lisbon and its surrounding areas can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that today’s tremor was not a precursor to a more devastating event. However, the memories of the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 remind us all of the unpredictable power of nature and the importance of vigilance in regions prone to such natural disasters.

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