São Miguel experienced the strongest earthquake shaking
São Miguel felt the strongest shaking in the October 20 earthquake, also felt on Terceira and Santa Maria. CIVISA recorded dozens of aftershocks.
The magnitude 5.1 earthquake on the afternoon of October 20, 2026, was felt on São Miguel, Terceira and Santa Maria.
São Miguel recorded the highest intensity, V/VI. Intensity reached IV on Terceira and III on Santa Maria, according to RTP Açores. Magnitude measures an earthquake's size, while intensity describes its observed effects at a particular location and can therefore vary between islands.
That evening, CIVISA told RTP Açores it had recorded dozens of aftershocks. Residents felt at least one, experiencing further shaking after the main earthquake.
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