Two earthquakes, both measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale, were felt on Thursday, 19th February, near Alenquer, followed later by two aftershocks in the same area.
According to the Portuguese Institute of Seas and Atmosphere (IPMA), the epicentre of the first tremor, recorded at 12:14pm, was located about four kilometres north-west of the town.
The quake was felt most strongly in Loures, within the Lisbon metropolitan area. Lower-intensity shaking was also reported in Montemor-o-Novo, Peniche, Lisboa, Sintra, Torres Vedras, Vila Franca de Xira, Benavente, Almada and Barreiro.
A second quake struck at 12:16, with IPMA noting that “many people may not even have realised they were two separate events”.
Two aftershocks were later recorded in Alenquer at 15:15 and 15:16, measuring 2.2 and 2.4 respectively.
Portugal’s National Authority of Emergencies and Civil Protection confirmed the earthquakes and said there had been no reports of injuries or material damage so far.
However, the authority urged residents to exercise extra caution in areas already affected by landslides and structural instability following recent severe weather.
On social media, numerous users reported feeling the ground shake, with several saying they clearly experienced both tremors.
Source: IPMA
