Very Strong earthquake hits the Algarve ... on this day in 1969

An earthquake struck western Portugal and Morocco on February 28th, 1969, at 02:40 - the early hours of the morning.

Originating off Sagres, the earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.8 and the maximum felt intensity was VII (Very strong) on the Mercalli intensity scale.

In total, thirteen people died. Eighty people sustained minor injuries in the biggest earthquake registered in Europe since the cataclysmic 1755 earthquake that hit Portugal and destroyed Lisbon.

The epicenter of the 1969 earthquake was within a zone known as the Azores–Gibraltar seismic belt, which marks the boundary between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

The earthquake was registered at a point 180km southwest of Sagres and its effects were registered in the Algarve, Madeira, Morocco, Spain and France

At magnitude 7.8, the earthquake was considered "very powerful." The resulting damage killed thirteen people - 11 in Morocco and two in Portugal.

Damage to local buildings was "moderate", according to the United States Geological Survey. Overall, structures were prepared for the earthquake and responded well, sustaining slight, if any, damage.

1969 Portugal earthquake - technical details
Location off the coast of Morocco and Portugal
UTC time 1969-02-28 02:40:32
ISC event 812637
USGS-ANSS ComCat
Local date February 28, 1969
Local time 02:40:32
Magnitude 7.8 Mw
Depth 22 km
Epicenter 36.017°N 10.950°WCoordinates: 36.017°N 10.950°W
Areas affected Portugal, Morocco
Tsunami 1.14 m (3 ft 9 in)
3 runups
Aftershocks 6.3 Mw Feb 28 at 04:25:35 UTC
Casualties 13 killed
80 injured

Comments  

0 #5 JamesJ 2019-03-02 12:20

When I see all these expensive villas being built along the Gale-Salgados I wonder whether they know they are on a tsunami flood plain.

0 #4 Peter Booker 2019-03-01 19:00

A strong tremor, Ed, and thank you for reminding us. I see and hear no report of any tsunami, yet there must have been one. Have you heard anything?

+2 #3 Grotty Yotty 2019-03-01 13:21

7.9 Richter! And so recent, in geological terms.. Thank you again Ed, for re-publishing this - next to the bad news about the reversal of Loulé court's Aljezur decision.. The dangers don't bear thinking about.

+1 #2 Ed 2019-02-28 22:21

Quoting charly:

Dear Ed, does there in your knowledge exist an on-line and updated list or website listing up
ALL the terramotas (and their dates and magnitude) since 1755 ?. Thank you.

This a link to the main ones:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Earthquakes_in_Portugal

and here is list of fatal ones:
https://earthquake-report.com/2011/02/07/killer-earthquakes-in-portugal-mainland/

0 #1 charly 2019-02-28 19:14

Dear Ed, does there in your knowledge exist an on-line and updated list or website listing up
ALL the terramotas (and their dates and magnitude) since 1755 ?. Thank you.

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