Catarina Debiya

LISBON, (Reuters) – Experts believe a series of small earthquakes which have rattled the mid-Atlantic Portuguese Island of Sao Jorge over three days could cause a more powerful tremor or a volcano eruption.

Rui Marques from the CIVISA seismo–volcanic surveillance center in the Azores said that 1,329 earthquakes of magnitudes ranging between 1.9 and 3.3 were recorded at the volcano island of Azores archipelago on Saturday afternoon.

Sao Jorge is one the nine Azores Islands. Around 8,400 people call it home.

Small quakes known as “a swarm” were recorded along Manadas volcano’s fissure. The last eruption of Manadas was in 1808.

Sao Jorge has activated its emergency plans to protect itself.

Marques stated that all scenarios were on the table for Antena 1, radio station. We could have an earthquake with greater power that may cause damage. On the other, there is the possibility of an eruption.

Marques warned residents not to lose heart, but he claimed that the earthquakes were occurring because of volcanic activity and not volcanic.

Marques explained that this should not be viewed as a solely tectonic emergency but rather as a seismic event taking place within an active volcanic system.

CIVISA also set up additional seismic monitoring stations and sent a team of soil gas monitors to determine if there was any volcanic activity. Marques stated that levels have been stable so far.

On Tuesday, the Civil Protection authority stated that it is working with other agencies to create a plan for a response in case of a major earthquake or volcanic eruption.

A sudden surge in seismic activity recalls the earthquake swarms recorded prior to last year’s eruption at Spain’s La Palma volcano. This volcanic eruption occurred approximately 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) south of the Azores.