35 years of the earthquake 01/01/1980
2015-01-01 (IPMA)
On 1st of January 1980 an earthquake occurred offshore between Terceira and S. Jorge islands. The event occurred at 16:42:39 UTC with a magnitude 6.9 at a depth of about 10 km, which was felt in all of the islands of the Azores Archipelago, except on Flores and Corvo islands.
The earthquake was felt in various locations with different intensities: in Doze Ribeiras - Terceira island with an intensity of VIII/IX (Mercalli Modified scale); with an intensity of VII/VIII in Santo Antão and Topo at S. Jorge, an intensity of VI/VII in Luz, Carapacho, Ribeirinha and Guadalupe at Graciosa Island, an intensity of VI in Silveira at Pico island and an intensity of IV/IV at Horta, Flamengos and Almoxarife beach at Faial island.
The earthquake caused major damage in the islands of Terceira, S. Jorge and Graciosa: dozens of deaths (61), hundreds of injured (300), thousands of homeless, and more than 15,000 homes become damaged or completely destroyed.
With its epicenter located at the sea between the Terceira and S. Jorge islands, the earthquake caused a small tsunami that was recorded at Angra do Heroismo and Horta tide gauges with amplitudes of 28 cm and 5 cm, respectively.
Even after the destructive earthquake of January 1st , 1980, Angra has preserved a major part of its monumental heritage. In 1983 the UNESCO (the United Nations agency for education and culture) agreed to integrate the historic center of Angra do Heroismo in the list of sites classified as World Heritage.
