1980 Azores Islands earthquake

1980 Azores Islands

Terceira Graciosa São Jorge
UTC time	1980-01-01 16:42:42
ISC event	652123
USGS-ANSS	ComCat
Local date	1 January 1980 (1980-01-01)
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 / 38.81; -27.78
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. Measuring 6.9 on the moment magnitude scale, it also shook the islands of Pico and Faial, and resulted from a strike slip fracture, typical of other historical Azorean earthquakes.

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.