According to CIVISA, the earthquake was recorded at 08:27 local time (09:27 in Lisbon) and had its epicenter approximately three kilometers north-northeast of Cinco Ribeiras, in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo.

“According to the information available to date, the earthquake was felt with maximum intensity III (Modified Mercalli scale) in the parish of São Bartolomeu (municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira island)”, indicates CIVISA, in a statement.

According to the Richter scale, earthquakes are classified according to their magnitude as micro (less than 2.0), very small (2.0-2.9), small (3.0-3.9), slight (4 ,0-4.9), moderate (5.0-5.9), strong (6.0-6.9), large (7.0-7.9), important (8.0-8.9 ), exceptional (9.0-9.9) and extreme (when higher than 10).

The Modified Mercalli scale measures "degrees of intensity and respective description".

With intensity III, considered weak, the shock is felt inside the house and hanging objects swing, feeling a "vibration similar to that caused by the passage of heavy vehicles", describes the Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) on its page from Internet.