Earthquakes in Portugal
Our first experience.
In the early morning of August 26th, 2024, I awoke to a whole lot of shaking going on! The bed was shaking from side-to-side, and the closet doors rattled. I woke up Paul who thought I was the one shaking the bed to try to get him to stop snoring! Neither Paul nor I have ever experienced an earthquake before, but we immediately knew this was the real thing. After a few seconds when the shaking subsided, Paul got out of bed and looked around the apartment and peered out the windows. No damage other than a tube of toothpaste falling off the bathroom shelf and pictures on the walls askew. No one in our building seemed to be disturbed by this. No one was on the street. The electricity was still on. All was quiet. I admit I was a bit shook up (pun intended). Was it just me? Or were other people feeling just as scared?
During our lifetimes, Paul and I have experienced a plethora of climate and weather phenomenon. From blizzards and hurricanes in the northeast United States, to wildfires, floods, intense lightning storms, and massive dust storms in the desert Southwest. But never an earthquake.
According to several resources, the magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck in the North Atlantic Ocean 84 kilometers south-southwest of Lisbon. This earthquake hit under water, 56 kilometers (35 mi) off the coast of Portugal. Tremors were felt as far away as Morocco. According to Safe Communities Portugal, Portugal had at least nine aftershocks (which were mild), and was the 10th largest earthquake since the 16th century. The earthquake was classified as moderate to strong, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA). It was noted that an M5.4 is too small to be tsunamigenic – a great relief for us since we live near the ocean.
I was reminded of QUAKE.
I was reminded of the soft opening we were invited to attend a couple of years ago in Belém, of QUAKE – an interactive exhibit. The approximately 1,900 square foot building combines the history and the science of earthquakes and takes visitors back in time to November 1,1755, when an earthquake destroyed two-thirds of Lisbon. One focus of this exhibit is to educate people on the importance of being prepared for an earthquake because – as one of the narrators of the exhibit said – it’s not IF an earthquake will occur, but WHEN. I started to think about that phrase and how unprepared and uninformed Paul and I are about earthquakes (known as terremoto in Portuguese).
Why is Portugal in an Earthquake Zone?
I am not a scientist nor an expert on this subject, so this is an extremely high-level synopsis of why Portugal is in an earthquake zone:
Portugal’s location along the boundary between the Eurasian and African tectonic plates makes it prone to seismic activity. This tectonic boundary is characterized by complex interactions, where one plate moves under another, and transform faulting, where plates slide past each other. These movements generate significant stress in the Earth's crust, which can be released in the form of earthquakes.
The most prominent geological feature influencing Portugal's seismicity is the Azores-Gibraltar Transform Fault. This fault line stretches from the Azores, an archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, to the Strait of Gibraltar. This zone is responsible for some of the most significant seismic activities in the region, including the infamous 1755 Lisbon earthquake.
If you want more scientific information, Earthquake Insights, a Substack newsletter written by two earthquake scientists, goes into detail about earthquakes in Portugal as well as other parts of the world.
It won’t happen here. Right?
It’s possible that a strong earthquake will not happen in Portugal for a very long time. I would really like to think that way. Only Mother Nature knows for sure. But then, I started to think about my dear friend, from Rhode Island, who many years ago was visiting family in Italy when there was a strong earthquake in the village she was staying in. Her family home and many others in the village had been damaged and unsafe to occupy. Her husband and family in the United States could not reach her by phone for days. My friend spent a couple of days and nights outdoors in chilly weather with family and neighbors until assistance arrived. I’m sure she never thought anything like that would happen to her. But it did.
In recent decades, Portugal has adopted building codes that require newer buildings to withstand an earthquake. But, the oversight of construction is poorly supervised making it difficult to determine if a building is compliant. Not a comforting thought.
To learn more about earthquakes and building construction in Portugal, consider reading this issue of Portugal Decoded, a Substack newsletter about current events in Portugal.
What to do if you’re in an earthquake.
I thought about this right after the shaking stopped. Did we do the right thing by staying put in bed? Should we have run out of the building (descending several staircases)? Where would we go? What’s the safest place?
I did some research and found a few tips.
Most of the research I found was U.S. based, especially from California, the earthquake capital of the United States.
During an earthquake, avoid running out of buildings as the area outside can be hazardous due to possible falling objects and deep, uneven cracks in roads or pavement. If you’re in an apartment building, drop, cover, and and protect your head and neck (by the way, the higher up you are in a building, the more you’ll feel the earthquake). Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a table. If you can’t find anything sturdy, stand under a door frame. Stay away from windows and do not use elevators. If you’re in bed, stay there and use a pillow to protect your head.
If you’re outside, try to move to a clear area away from power lines, trees, signs, buildings, and vehicles.
If you’re in a vehicle, pull over when it’s safe to do so, and remain inside the vehicle until the shaking stops. Protect yourself from the glass windows and windshields in case they’re hit by a falling object.
If you’re near the ocean, move to higher ground if the shaking lasts for 20 seconds or more. If a tsunami has been triggered, try to get as far away inland on foot. Become familiar with signs that say, “Tsunamis Evacuation Route.”
If you’re in a theater or an event stadium, stay in your seat or drop to the floor between rows. Shield your head, neck, and arms. Wait until the shaking stops before attempting to leave.
If you’re in a store, drop down and take cover under anything sturdy, like a shopping cart or inside clothing racks.
If you’re on public transportation, stay on the bus or train unless instructed otherwise by the operator. If you're on a train, it will likely stop during the shaking. Follow the operator's announcements and guidance to safely exit when appropriate.
Are we really prepared?
The Portuguese government has called this most recent earthquake a "true test of response capabilities in the event of a disaster." I hope they’re ready. But whether the Portuguese government is prepared for an earthquake disaster is not something I can control. I can only hope that emergency measures are in place in the event of a widespread earthquake incident.
But that doesn’t mean that Paul and I cannot be prepared to the best of our ability. We plan to have an emergency “go” kit on hand – similar to what we had in Arizona when there were threats of an evacuation due to wildfires. Everyone’s situation is different. You may have elderly relatives or children, or people with mobility issues, or pets. What you put into your “go” kit should be what you think you’ll need. Here are some items to consider:
Water and Food - Preferably one gallon of drinking water per person per day for at least three days.
Non-perishable food - A three-day supply of non-perishable food, such as canned goods, energy bars, dried fruits, and nuts.
First Aid Supplies – Such as bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, adhesive tape, scissors, tweezers, pain relievers.
Prescription medications - A supply of any necessary prescription medications for at least three days.
Personal hygiene items - Hand sanitizer, moist towelettes, toilet paper, sanitary napkins, tissues, and other personal hygiene supplies.
Tools and Supplies - multi-tool or Swiss Army knife useful for various tasks such as cutting, opening cans, and minor repairs.
Flashlight and extra batteries - LED flashlights are preferable due to their long battery life.
Whistle - To signal for help if trapped.
Dust masks or cotton T-shirts to help filter contaminated air.
Plastic sheeting and duct tape - Can be used to create a makeshift shelter or seal off areas from dust or fumes.
Wrench or pliers - Useful for turning off utilities such as water or gas.
Work gloves and sturdy shoes - For protection from debris and sharp objects.
Local maps - In case you need to navigate to a safe location or find shelters.
Emergency Supplies - Battery-powered or hand-crank radio to stay informed about emergency updates and weather reports (this is only useful if you understand the language).
Cell phones with chargers and backup power sources including solar chargers or power banks.
Blankets or sleeping bags for warmth and comfort if you must stay outside or in an emergency shelter.
Cash - Small denominations and coins in case electronic transactions are not possible.
Emergency contact information - A list of emergency contacts such as relatives, friends, and local emergency services. If you’re living in Portugal as an immigrant/expat, consider registering your Portuguese address and information with your home consulate in Portugal.
Personal Items - Copies of personal documents such as identification, insurance policies, bank account information, and health information, preferably in a waterproof container.
Infant and pet supplies like diapers, formula, bottles, baby food, and pet food, if applicable.
Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses if needed.
Comfort items such as toys or books for children to provide comfort during stressful times.
Special Needs - Medical equipment - Any necessary medical equipment or supplies specific to your or your family’s health needs (e.g., hearing aids with extra batteries, asthma inhalers, etc.).
Assistive devices if anyone in your household requires mobility aids or other devices.
Miscellaneous items such as a fire extinguisher in case of small fires.
Personal safety equipment such as goggles and sturdy gloves to protect against debris.
Tips for maintaining your kit.
Review and update your kit every six months.
Replace expired food, water, medications, and batteries.
Personalize your kit - Consider specific needs for family members, including pets, children, and elderly or disabled individuals.
Store your kit in an accessible location. Ensure it is easily accessible in an emergency, and everyone in the household knows where it is.
For Paul and I, we plan to place most personal items that we would need in an emergency in a canvas backpack. We’ll also purchase a small emergency first aid kit similar to this.
I’m not going to lose sleep over this experience.
Life is too short and unpredictable to waste time worrying. We may never experience something like this again while we live here in Portugal. But I think I’ll sleep better knowing that we have some education about what to do in an earthquake and how to be prepared. Because after all, as the narrator at QUAKE said, “It’s not IF an earthquake will occur, but WHEN”.
Resources for more information:
Online marketplaces such as Amazon offer emergency kits for sale. Although not specifically for earthquakes, many of the items contained in the kits apply.
The QUAKE exhibit in Belém has a museum shop that sells earthquake emergency and safety products.
Safe Communities Portugal provides comprehensive information on staying safe during an earthquake including information on Tsunamis.
IPMA (The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere) provides information and resources for many types of weather-related disasters including earthquakes. You can also download an app to have real-time information on current earthquakes in Portugal (sismos@IPMA).
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a U.S. government organization created by an act of Congress in 1879, monitors and reports on earthquakes worldwide, assesses earthquake impacts and hazards, and conducts targeted research on the causes and effects of earthquakes.
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Until next time…
Obrigada!
Carol.
We have experienced a myriad of small quakes in California, Maryland, and even once in Ohio, which we thought was a big truck driving by before we realized it wasn't, along with a number of moderate quakes. Some were the rolling type, some were jolts, and some were prolonged, more gentle shaking. I hope not to experience them in Portugal!
I had to look up the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. It was reportedly a magnitude 7.7 or greater, more than 100 times stronger than a 5.4. Just in case you were wondering.