In a statement, the IPMA says that the earthquake had its epicentre about 10 kilometres south of Évora and was recorded at 9:39 am.

The tremor “did not cause personal or material damage and was felt with a maximum intensity of IV (modified Mercalli scale) in the municipality of Évora”.

Contacted by Lusa, the Sub-regional Command of Emergency and Civil Protection of Central Alentejo told Lusa that there were “reports from several people who reported to the fire department and other services that they felt the earthquake, but so far there is no record of structural damage”.

According to the Richter scale, earthquakes are classified according to their magnitude as micro (less than 2.0), very small (2.0-2.9), small (3.0-3.9), light (4.0-4.9), moderate (5.0-5.9), strong (6.0-6.9), major (7.0-7.9), significant (8.0-8.9), exceptional (9.0-9.9), and extreme (when greater than 10).

The Modified Mercalli scale measures the "degrees of intensity and their respective description".