   Terceira Graciosa São Jorge | |
| UTC time | 1980-01-01 16:42:42 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 652123 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 1 January 1980 |
| Local time | 15:42:42 |
| Magnitude | 6.9 Mw(ISC-GEM) |
| Depth | 10 kilometres (6 mi) |
| Epicenter | 50 km west of Angra do Heroísmo 38°49′N 27°47′W / 38.81°N 27.78°W |
| Type | Strike-slip |
| Areas affected | Portugal Azores |
| Max. intensity | MMI VIII (Severe)–MMI IX (Violent)[1] |
| Tsunami | A small tsunami was registered in Angra do Heroismo |
| Casualties | 73 dead, 400 injured |
Striking the Autonomous Region of the Azores on 1 January, the 1980 Azores Island earthquake killed 73 people and injured over 400, causing severe damage on the islands of Terceira and São Jorge. Resulting from a strike slip fracture, typical of other historical Azorean earthquakes, and measuring 6.9 on the moment magnitude scale, it also shook the islands of Pico and Faial.
In response to the earthquake, Portuguese president António Ramalho Eanes announced three days of national mourning, while relief efforts, initiated by agents of the local Air Force, were soon accompanied by government-supported agencies.
- ^ "Significant Earthquake: AZORES: TERCEIRA, ANGRA DO HEROISMO". National Geophysical Data Center. 1 January 1980. Retrieved 23 June 2021.