Is it safe to travel to the Azores? Latest advice as Portuguese island earthquakes raise fears of volcanic eruption

São Jorge Island, in the Portuguese Azores, is bracing for what could be a major volcanic eruption after being shaken by thousands of small earthquakes.

Thousands of concerned residents voluntarily evacuated the island on Sunday as the tremors, which began on Saturday, prompted local authorities to put in place their earthquake prevention plan.

The Azores, an autonomous region in Portugal, has advised against all but essential travel to São Jorge, and has also moved elderly and vulnerable residents from the mudslide-prone parts of the island.

The pattern of tremors closely mirrors those that led to the volcanic eruption on the Canary island of La Palma in 2021. The three-month disaster forced the evacuation of 6,000 people and caused £760 million in damage before it was declared over in December.

Here’s everything you need to know about traveling to the Azores and São Jorge.

Do earthquakes still happen?

Yeah. The island recorded 15 tremors on Sunday, March 27 alone, according to the Earthquake Information and Monitoring Center.

About 200 earthquakes so far have a magnitude of about 3.3 on the Richter scale.

The CIVISA volcanic monitoring center in the area says there is a “real possibility” that the volcano will erupt. Scientists raised the volcanic alert to level four, with five being the highest, on Wednesday.

An emergency plan has been activated, with preparations to evacuate all 84,000 residents of the island if necessary.

When was the last time Sao George revolted?

The last major volcanic eruption in São Jorge was over 200 years ago. In May and June 1808, Orselina erupted, killing more than thirty people.

Many of the islands surrounding the ash cloud were affected by the eruption and earthquakes were felt during the event.

In the 20th century, there were many underwater volcanic eruptions but no major disturbance on land.

Are other Azores islands safe?

São Jorge is one of nine islands that make up the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

While the epicenter is the fourth largest island in São Jorge, the shaking was felt across the entire chain of islands.

There are no suggestions that the other islands are at volcanic risk.

What is the situation on the ground in São Jorge?

Flat terrain areas, known locally as Vajas, have been evacuated in Vilas Municipality due to fears of possible landslides caused by a combination of wet weather and recent earthquakes.

People in hospitals and elderly people in nursing homes were evacuated and moved to the other side of the island.

At least 1,250 people have fled the island with more planned to leave today, according to local officials.

What does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advise?

The State Department has not advised against travel to any area in Portugal or the Azores.

However, the FCDO is updating its website for Portugal with public safety tips and updates on São Jorge.

Local authorities in the Azores have asked tourists not to travel to São Jorge and have said that people should only do so for essential purposes.

Are there any restrictions on the entry of Covid into the Azores?

Yeah. Travelers must be fully vaccinated (with a booster dose of 270 days after the second doe), tested prior to travel or provide evidence of recent infection.

Tests must be either a negative PCR test (taking no more than 72 hours before admission) or a rapid lateral flow test (taking no more than 24 hours before admission).

Evidence of recent infection can be submitted with a British Covid Pass. The test result must be positive at least 11 days before and no more than 180 days before travel.

Children 12 and younger are exempt from vaccination or testing requirements.

Travelers must also complete a separate arrival in the Azores form.

Do you have a question about travel? Email us: [email protected]

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