Multiple small earthquakes have shaken the Portuguese island of Sao Jorge for the past three days, causing experts to warn that the series of earthquakes could lead to a stronger one or a volcanic eruption.

According to Rui Marques, head of the region's CIVISA seismo-volcanic surveillance centre, there have been 1,800 earthquakes recorded on the volcanic island since Saturday afternoon, up from an earlier figure of 1,329.

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Marques told the Lusa news agency, only 94 out of 1,800 earthquakes up to now have been felt by the population, with magnitudes ranging between 1.7 and 3.3.

There are nine islands that make up the Azores. Sao Jorge is one of nine and is home to around 8,400 people. It is part of the central group, which also includes the popular tourist destinations of Faial and Pico.

This series of small quakes, known as a swarm and which are currently causing no damage, have been recorded along the volcanic fissure of Manadas, which last erupted in 1808.

However, as a precaution, Sao Jorge's municipalities have activated emergency plans.

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"All scenarios are on the table," said Marques while talking to Antena 1 radio station.

&nbsp;"On one hand, we could see an earthquake of greater magnitude that can cause some destruction. ... On the other hand, we have the scenario of an eruption."

Marques encouraged residents to remain vigilant although the earthquakes were tectonic in origin, which means they were caused by the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates, and are not volcanic.

"We should not treat this as a purely tectonic crisis but as a seismic crisis that is taking place in an active volcanic system," Marques said.

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CIVISA established two additional seismological monitoring stations on the island and deployed a team to monitor soil gases, an indicator of volcanic activity. As of now, Marques said, the levels seem normal.

The Civil Protection authority said on Tuesday it was coordinating with other agencies to prepare for the possibility of a big earthquake or volcanic eruption.

The sudden escalation of seismic activity resembles the swarms of earthquakes that preceded the eruption of Cumbre Vieja last year on Spain's La Palma island some 1,400 km to the southeast of the Azores.

(With inputs from agencies)

Multiple small earthquakes have shaken the Portuguese island of Sao Jorge for the past three days, causing experts to warn that the series of earthquakes could lead to a stronger one or a volcanic eruption.

Multiple small earthquakes have shaken the Portuguese island of Sao Jorge for the past three days, causing experts to warn that the series of earthquakes could lead to a stronger one or a volcanic eruption. According to Rui Marques, head of the region's CIVISA seismo-volcanic surveillance centre, there have been 1,800 earthquakes recorded on the volcanic island since Saturday afternoon, up from an earlier figure of 1,329. Also read | NASA confirms a 'celestial milestone', 5000 exoplanets confirmed so far Marques told the Lusa news agency, only 94 out of 1,800 earthquakes up to now have been felt by the population, with magnitudes ranging between 1.7 and 3.3. There are nine islands that make up the Azores. Sao Jorge is one of nine and is home to around 8,400 people. It is part of the central group, which also includes the popular tourist destinations of Faial and Pico. This series of small quakes, known as a swarm and which are currently causing no damage, have been recorded along the volcanic fissure of Manadas, which last erupted in 1808. However, as a precaution, Sao Jorge's municipalities have activated emergency plans. Also read | Not even one country met WHO air quality standards in 2021, India 5th most polluted country: Report "All scenarios are on the table," said Marques while talking to Antena 1 radio station. "On one hand, we could see an earthquake of greater magnitude that can cause some destruction. ... On the other hand, we have the scenario of an eruption." Marques encouraged residents to remain vigilant although the earthquakes were tectonic in origin, which means they were caused by the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates, and are not volcanic. "We should not treat this as a purely tectonic crisis but as a seismic crisis that is taking place in an active volcanic system," Marques said. Watch | Inside ‘Opera Village’ in Africa’s Burkina Faso CIVISA established two additional seismological monitoring stations on the island and deployed a team to monitor soil gases, an indicator of volcanic activity. As of now, Marques said, the levels seem normal. The Civil Protection authority said on Tuesday it was coordinating with other agencies to prepare for the possibility of a big earthquake or volcanic eruption. The sudden escalation of seismic activity resembles the swarms of earthquakes that preceded the eruption of Cumbre Vieja last year on Spain's La Palma island some 1,400 km to the southeast of the Azores. (With inputs from agencies)

Portuguese volcanic island hit by 1,800 earthquakes in 3 days

The death toll from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-divers-search-contaminated-waters-for-volcano-victims-268253">New Zealand's White Island volcano eruption</a> rose to 18 Sunday, including two people whose bodies have not been recovered, police said.

A land search early Sunday failed to find any sign of the missing pair and divers returned to the sea in the afternoon amid increasing speculation both could be in the water.

Deputy police commissioner Mike Clement said there was "every chance" the bodies had been washed into the sea from the stream where they were last seen Monday.

He added that searchers were "satisfied that the area we searched near the jetty is clear of the bodies".

"The rescue teams are frustrated. We understand completely how frustrating it is for loved ones who want the bodies back," Clement said.

Forty-seven people were on the island -- a popular tourist attraction -- when the explosion happened.

The death toll now stands at 18 after an Australian victim who had been repatriated to Sydney died in hospital almost a week after the deadly eruption.

Another 26 survivors remain in New Zealand and Australian hospitals, of which at least 18 are listed as "critical" and fighting for their lives after the eruption on the desolate island, which is the country's most active volcano.

The family of the latest victim have requested his name and age not be released.

Police on Sunday named seven victims who have been officially identified including New Zealand tour guide Tipene James Te Rangi Ataahua Maangi, 24.

Four were Australians -- Zoe Ella Hosking, 15, her stepfather Gavin Brian Dallow, 53, 51-year-old Anthony James Langford and Karla Michelle Mathews, 32 -- along with Matthew Robert Hollander, 13 and Berend Lawrence Hollander, 16, who were US citizens with Australian permanent residency.

Clement said although the land and sea searches had so far been unsuccessful in finding the remaining bodies, police had not given up hope.

"There will come a time when we've done everything we can do, when we've done everything that's sensible but we're not there yet... we don't give up easily," he said.

Scientists monitoring White Island said there had been no further significant activity since last Monday's eruption but the risk remained with the volcano alert at Level Two, which indicates "moderate to heightened unrest with potential for eruption hazards".

A glow was visible from the vent area overnight "which confirms there is a high heat flow present," said Geoff Kilgour, a volcanologist with GNS Science, which monitors seismic and volcanic activity in New Zealand.

"This has been confirmed today by an aerial observation this morning that noted an active crater is emitting volcanic gas at a high rate and very high temperature" above 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit).

The disaster has raised questions about why tourists were allowed on a volcano where experts had recently raised threat levels.

The death toll from New Zealand's White Island volcano eruption rose to 18 Sunday, including two people whose bodies have not been recovered, police said. A land search early Sunday failed to find any sign of the missing pair and divers returned to the sea in the afternoon amid increasing speculation both could be in the water.

The death toll from New Zealand's White Island volcano eruption rose to 18 Sunday, including two people whose bodies have not been recovered, police said. A land search early Sunday failed to find any sign of the missing pair and divers returned to the sea in the afternoon amid increasing speculation both could be in the water. Deputy police commissioner Mike Clement said there was "every chance" the bodies had been washed into the sea from the stream where they were last seen Monday. He added that searchers were "satisfied that the area we searched near the jetty is clear of the bodies". "The rescue teams are frustrated. We understand completely how frustrating it is for loved ones who want the bodies back," Clement said. Forty-seven people were on the island -- a popular tourist attraction -- when the explosion happened. The death toll now stands at 18 after an Australian victim who had been repatriated to Sydney died in hospital almost a week after the deadly eruption. Another 26 survivors remain in New Zealand and Australian hospitals, of which at least 18 are listed as "critical" and fighting for their lives after the eruption on the desolate island, which is the country's most active volcano. The family of the latest victim have requested his name and age not be released. Police on Sunday named seven victims who have been officially identified including New Zealand tour guide Tipene James Te Rangi Ataahua Maangi, 24. Four were Australians -- Zoe Ella Hosking, 15, her stepfather Gavin Brian Dallow, 53, 51-year-old Anthony James Langford and Karla Michelle Mathews, 32 -- along with Matthew Robert Hollander, 13 and Berend Lawrence Hollander, 16, who were US citizens with Australian permanent residency. Clement said although the land and sea searches had so far been unsuccessful in finding the remaining bodies, police had not given up hope. "There will come a time when we've done everything we can do, when we've done everything that's sensible but we're not there yet... we don't give up easily," he said. Scientists monitoring White Island said there had been no further significant activity since last Monday's eruption but the risk remained with the volcano alert at Level Two, which indicates "moderate to heightened unrest with potential for eruption hazards". A glow was visible from the vent area overnight "which confirms there is a high heat flow present," said Geoff Kilgour, a volcanologist with GNS Science, which monitors seismic and volcanic activity in New Zealand. "This has been confirmed today by an aerial observation this morning that noted an active crater is emitting volcanic gas at a high rate and very high temperature" above 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit). The disaster has raised questions about why tourists were allowed on a volcano where experts had recently raised threat levels.

New Zealand eruption death toll rises to 18

A New Zealand military team has recovered around six bodies from the volcanic island that erupted earlier this week. An eight-member team will work to recover the remaining two bodies on White Island today.

New Zealand military team recovers bodies on White Island

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