Portugal has issued a warning about earthquakes in the Azores, as the island prepares for an potential evacuation.
An alert has been issued by the UK government against travelling to the island that has been hit with over 1,100 earthquakes since March 19.
There has been no advice issued for Irish travellers by the Department of Foreign Affairs as of yet, but it is advisable to not travel to the Velas region.
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Portuguese authorities in the Azores islands are preparing for the possible evacuation of citizens amid fears of a major environmental disaster.
The Portuguese Archipelago (group of islands) has been hit with six back to back days of minor tremors, raising concerns about the possibility of a major earthquake or volcanic eruption.
The Azore’s CIVISA seismo-volcanic surveillance centre has raised concern by raising the volcanic alert to level 4 out of 5, meaning there is a "real possibility of eruption".
Velas, a municipality in the Sao Jorge Island, is the main town and has been the epicentre of more than 2,000 minor earthquakes alone since March 19.
The island was built on a fissural volcanic vent that erupts lava and is associated with the plate tectonics of the mid-Atlantic Ridge and a transform fault that extends from the Ridge to the island of São Miguel.
Local officials are reportedly transporting elderly residents to another part of the island as a precaution.
As part of the precautionary measures, local authorities have warned people not to travel to the island unless it's absolutely necessary, with tours and planned activities subsequently being cancelled.
Speaking on the events, during a visit to the island on Thursday, Azores president José Manuel Bolieiro told reporters: “Anything could happen, nothing might happen.
"Although the events have not yet been dramatic in the sense of causing damage, it is good to be vigilant and, in this case, with excess prudence rather than negligence in the action".
The president of the Azores Islands' regional government said Thursday that airlines are increasing the number of flights into and out of Sao Jorge, where around 8,300 people live, for people who prefer to leave now.
Irish tourists on the island or surrounding areas may be affected.
Scientists are stating it is hard to predict the consequences of persistent, yet low-intensity, seismic activity.
Emergency services have established safe corridors for traffic and temporary accommodation for evacuees on the eastern side of the island in case they are needed.
Officials said: “Any public alerts are to be transmitted on local radio, on social media or by ringing church bells”.
The Azores is made up of nine islands located in the north Atlantic ocean, about two hours from Europe and five hours from North America.
Apart from the international airports of Santa Maria, Ponta Delgada, and Angra do Heroismo, there are flights to the islands (operated by the regional airline TAP Air Portugal) and ferry boats between the islands.
