Magnitude 4.1 Earthquake Hits Brava Island, Cape Verde
A magnitude 4.1 earthquake rattled Brava Island in Cape Verde on Monday afternoon, sparking a series of smaller aftershocks. Despite the tremors, local authorities report that there have been no significant impacts or injuries so far.
Details of the Seismic Event
According to the National Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics (INMG), the primary tremor struck at 1:32 p.m. local time. The earthquake was centered at a shallow depth of approximately two kilometers in the region between Cova Joana and Mato.
Since the initial quake, the INMG has recorded a “continuous sequence of small seismic events” across the island, which is home to roughly 6,000 residents. Experts are currently analyzing the frequency and intensity of these aftershocks to determine if the volcanic activity poses any further risk.
A History of Volcanic Activity
Braia Island has a long history of seismic crises, largely due to its proximity to Fogo Island, located just 30 kilometers to the east. Fogo is home to an active volcano that last erupted in 2014.
This latest event follows a more severe seismic crisis that hit Brava between October and November 2023. During that period, structural damage to homes and collapsing roofs left one person injured and forced many families to sleep in the streets out of fear of recurring shocks.
Current Status
While authorities remain on high alert, the INMG emphasized that the current situation has not yet resulted in the structural damage seen in previous years. Monitoring efforts are ongoing as the archipelago’s geophysical teams track the “seismic swarm” to ensure public safety.
Image: Pexels – Bibi Kiekens
