ABSTRACT
Eruptions and earthquakes have affected human activity in the Azores since the islands were first settled in the mid-fifteenth century. Information on eruptions and earthquakes prior to the twentieth century is largely derived from historical sources supplemented by the field investigation of research scientists. Scientific research was slow to be established in the Azores, and it was not until the latter half of the twentieth century that significant earth science investigations were initiated. A description of all historic eruptions and damaging earthquakes is included together with an assessment of their immediate impacts. This includes historic submarine events which occurred close to shore. The eruptions and earthquakes described include some notable events: such as the classic sub-Plinian eruptions of Fogo (1563) and Furnas (1630) on São Miguel; the eruptions of 1580 and 1808 on São Jorge, for which pyroclastic density currents were locally described as glowing clouds and which subsequently led to the term nuée ardente being coined by a visiting French geologist; the classic Surtseyan eruption of Capelinhos (1957–1958) on Faial; the recent Serreta submarine eruption just off the coast of Terceira (1998–2001); and catastrophic earthquakes in Vila Franca do Campo (São Miguel–1522), São Jorge (1757) and Angra do Heroísmo (Terceira 1980).
