Portugal: A 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit Portugal last Monday

Α 5.4 earthquake struck 7.7 kilometers southeast of Lisbon, Portugal, οn Monday 26^th at around 4:11a.m. local time. According to the US Geological Survey and the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the epicenter of the earthquake was 58 kilometers west of Sines in the open and the depth was approximately 21 kilometers. The quake was so strong that the tremors were felt in the Sines, Lisbon and Setúbal regions, while reports mention that were also felt in parts of Morocco, including Casablanca.

Despite the magnitude of the earthquake, no tsunami warning was issued and according to the authorities no major damage or injuries were reported due to the incident. Therefore, they advise people to stay calm and follow authorities’ recommendations. Officials also stated that for safety reasons and community welfare they are conducting investigations and assessments of potential building cracks in Sesimbra.

The USGS stated that they haven’t documented any recent seismic activity within 400 kilometers of the epicenter in the last month. However, Portugal is an earthquake-prone country as is situated near the boundary between the Eurasian and African tectonic plates.