Today's Earthquakes in Lisbon, Portugal
In the early hours of Monday, a 5.3 magnitude earthquake rattled the Portuguese coast, sending tremors through the waters just 7.7 km south-east of Lisbon and 74 km south-west of Setúbal. Initially reported as 5.4 by the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the magnitude was later revised by the Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA).
The earthquake, recorded at 5:11 am local time (6:11 am CET), had its epicentre 58 km west of Sines, deep in the Atlantic Ocean at a depth of 21 km. The tremors were strongly felt across the Sines, Lisbon, and Setúbal areas, with reports from as far north as Porto and even neighboring Spain and Morocco.
"We’ve been inundated with calls from concerned citizens asking for guidance," stated Commander José Miranda of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC). "Fortunately, there are no reports of casualties or significant damage so far," he added, noting only minor concerns, such as potential cracks in buildings in Sesimbra, which are being investigated.
The Portuguese government swiftly issued a statement confirming their close coordination with relevant authorities and urging the public to stay calm and adhere to safety guidelines provided by the ANEPC. The earthquake was not strong enough to trigger a tsunami threat for the US East Coast or Europe.
More than 2,000 people reported feeling the quake using the USGS's “Did you feel it?” tool. Among them, Keira McCann, residing on the ground floor of an apartment building, described the unsettling experience: "Our entire building shook. It felt like the floor beneath us was sinking, and our dogs were in a panic."
Lisbon resident Vera Fassbender, on the 8th floor of her building, recounted: "It was a light shake, lasting just a few seconds, but it was enough to be noticeable and a bit frightening."
In Morocco, Rimah Oubella, located in Casablanca, shared her experience: "I initially thought I was dreaming until my brother woke me up, confirming he felt it too. The bed and my body moved, though not violently."
Despite its rarity, Portugal's location near the boundary of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates makes it prone to seismic activity. Minor earthquakes are frequent, though typically below magnitude 3.0 and not felt by the public. However, stronger quakes, like Monday’s, remind the region of its seismic vulnerability. The last significant earthquake to hit Portugal was in 2009, with a magnitude of 5.6.
Today’s Lisbon Portugal earthquake, known as "terremoto Lisboa," adds to the history of seismic activity in the region. Residents are sharing their experiences of the "temblor en Portugal" across social media, with the "terremoto en Portugal hoy" also being felt as far as the Algarve. The "temblor en Lisboa hoy" has once again highlighted the region’s susceptibility to earthquakes, raising awareness and prompting discussions on preparedness and response.
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