A moderate 5.4-magnitude earthquake has struck the Atlantic Ocean off Portugal, making it the strongest earthquake in the region in 15 years, according to seismologists. Shaking was felt in Lisbon and as far away as Morocco.
The earthquake, which struck at 5:11 a.m. local time on Monday, was centered in the ocean about 64 kilometers (40 miles) southwest of Sesimbra, or 85 kilometers (53 miles) southwest of the capital city.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said Monday’s tremor had a magnitude of 5.4 and struck about 17 kilometers (10 miles) below the seabed, making it a shallow earthquake. Portugal’s seismological agency, IPMA, put the magnitude at 5.3.
Shaking was felt across the region, including in Lisbon and other nearby cities where scores of people said the tremors were strong enough to wake them.
The earthquake was also felt in parts of Morocco, including in the Casablanca area.
There were no immediate reports of serious damage or injuries. There is no threat of a tsunami.
Monday’s quake was the strongest to hit along the coast of Portugal since 2009, when a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast. One of the worst disasters happened in 1755, when a powerful earthquake killed up to 50,000 people, including 10,000 in Morocco.
