According to seismologists, Portugal may one day in the future suffer a massive earthquake, like the one in Venezuela.
Portugal’s worst earthquake in history caused devastation and killed between 30,000 and 40,000 people in Lisbon, and along the south-western and southern coast, and thousands more in Morocco, north Africa. It occurred on the Christian All Saint’s Day in 1755.
Earthquakes are frequent but small in the Portuguese Atlantic archipelago of the Azores, but seldom cause too much trouble. Unfortunately, mainland Portugal is located near the boundary of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates meaning it is exposed to slightly more significant seismic activity.
While another major earthquake in mainland Portugal seems likely, fear not at least for now! Seismologists say the chances are moderate. Our children and grandchildren will be pleased to know that there is only a 10% chance of a terrible earthquake wrecking their locality in the next 50 years.
Written by Len Port - Photo courtesy of Depositphotos.com
