President of Civil Protection Service warns that seismovolcanic crisis on São Jorge Island could lead to eruption or stronger earthquake - Communication

Serviço Regional de Proteção Civil e Bombeiros dos Açores

The President of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA) stated today that the earthquake registered last night, with a magnitude of 3.8 on the Richter scale that "was felt on several islands," reinforces "what has been reported to the population: this seismovolcanic crisis could lead to an eruption or a stronger earthquake."

"According to the information released by the Centre for Information and Seismovolcanic Surveillance of the Azores (CIVISA), the epicentre was in the sea, about 2 kilometres south of Velas." It was the strongest earthquake since the seismovolcanic crisis began on the island of São Jorge on March 19.

"Fortunately, there was no record of human or material losses," said Eduardo Faria who spoke to journalists after the daily briefing that gathered various entities.

On the occasion, the government official reinforced the fact that "people have to stay alert, follow the recommendations of official entities and bear in mind the self-protection measures to put them into practice in case of need."

According to the latest data from CIVISA, around 1417 seismic events were recorded over the course of the previous day, March 29. Approximately 893 events were registered between 12 am and 10 am today. The seismic activity is stationary compared to recent days, although with a slight increase in the number of events. All earthquakes recorded so far are of low magnitude.

Since March 19 until now, about 215 earthquakes felt by the population have been identified. In view of this situation, CIVISA has issued a V4 alert.

All information regarding the seismovolcanic crisis can be consulted at http://www.ivar.azores.gov.pt/sjorge/Paginas/default.aspx.