The event had its epicenter around 41 kilometers from Capelo, having been felt with maximum intensity III on the Modified Mercalli Scale in the parishes of Capelo and Ribeirinha, in the municipality of Horta, on the island of Faial.

According to the Richter scale, earthquakes are classified according to their magnitude as micro (less than 2.0), very small (2.0-2.9), small (3.0-3.9), slight (4 0-4.9), moderate (5.0-5.9), strong (6.0-6.9), large (7.0-7.9), important (8.0-8.9 ), exceptional (9.0-9.9) and extreme (when greater than 10).

The Modified Mercalli scale measures "degrees of intensity and respective description".

With an intensity III, considered weak, the shock is "felt inside the house" and " hanging objects sway", feeling a "vibration similar to that caused by the passage of heavy vehicles", describes the Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA ) on its website.