According to the United States Geological Survey, a 5.4 earthquake shook the city of Lisbon, Portugal, on August 26th, at 5:11 am local time. The earthquake epicenter was off the coast of Lisbon, 32 miles west of the town of Sines, approximately 11 miles beneath the Earth’s crust. Fortunately, no injuries or deaths were reported, but it was enough to rattle nerves and awaken people out of bed. Portugal’s Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere reported at least four minor aftershocks.
Portugal’s Earthquake History
The southern offshore region of Portugal sits between the Eurasian and Nubian tectonic plates, with active faultlines. This means that this part of Europe is no stranger to seismic activity. Active faults also intersect the Iberian peninsula, and geologists believe many are yet to be discovered. The strongest earthquake ever recorded in Europe occurred in Lisbon, Portugal, on November 1st, 1755, which happened to be All Saints Day, a Catholic Holy Feast day. This meant around 200,000 people were in churches with lit candles when the quake hit, triggering widespread fires.
The 1755 shaking was believed to be 8.5-9.0 on the Richter scale. It also caused a devasting 10-meter-high tsunami that swept away everyone and everything in its path. In the end, 60,000-100,000 people lost their lives in this seismic event, making it one of the most deadly natural disasters in recorded history.
The Seismic Geology of Portugal
Portugal was fortunate with its last quake; we know how much worse it could have been. Although the Portuguese Azores islands have active volcanoes, the mainland of Portugal does not; there are only remnants of extinct volcanic activity. However, seismic hazards remain in the offshore region of the Iberian peninsula in the form of strong earthquake and tsunami risks.
Unique Tectonic Plate Behavior
Geologists have discovered that Mainland Portugal’s geology is peculiar because offshore, it appears featureless and geologically unremarkable. It has recently been found that a tectonic plate seems to be “peeling” apart off the coast of the Iberian peninsula and creating a new subduction zone. This may explain the massive quake of 1755 and seismic activity with no corresponding volcanic activity. In the geologic future, Mainland Portugal will be home to new volcanoes someday. Because of this, the Iberian Peninsula is a heavily studied region that provides clues about how the Earth continues to evolve.
Ready for Another Big One
Although a 5.4-magnitude earthquake is relatively minor, it reminded Portuguese citizens to always prepare for the next big quake and tsunami. The Portuguese government implemented building codes and warning criteria for earthquake and tsunami threats. No tsunami warning was issued for the August 26th seismic event because the protocol does not require a tsunami warning for a quake under six on the Richter scale. Citizens are urged to stay alert, keep a survival pack of supplies in their homes, and be aware of the tsunami evacuation procedures.
The Takeaway
In the country’s history, lessons learned from earthquakes and tsunamis led to the structural standards in today’s building codes. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa praised the citizens and first responders for their reaction to the August 26th quake. Although it wasn’t a colossal quake, the acting Prime Minister recognized Civil Protection for the “highly professional way in which it reacted in the first minutes and during the first hour.” Citizens seemed to take the shaking in stride, knowing they lived in a seismically active part of the planet. The Mayor of Lisbon also called on citizens to remain “calm and serene.” He was pleased with the overall response and attitudes of the Portuguese citizens.
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