The 1980 Terceira earthquake
M 6.9 mw
On the afternoon of New Year’s Day 1980 a strong earthquake struck at sea between Terceira, São Jorge and Graciosa.
More than sixty people died, several hundred were injured and many thousands lost their homes. Most of the buildings of Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira, were damaged or destroyed, and São Jorge and Graciosa were badly hit too. Azores earthquake study in Tectonophysics.
Angra was rebuilt on its historic plan, and in 1983 its centre became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the deadliest earthquake in Portugal in the period this catalogue covers. UNESCO listing.
Azores Islands
Azores · 8.0 km deep · 38.66°, -27.68°
Magnitude by USGS
Source: ISC · USGS
Nearby earthquakes
No other earthquakes within 50 km in the week before and after.