CERIS researcher Mónica Amaral Ferreira was featured in the RTP programme Biosfera (Season 23, Episode 15) titled “Why does the Earth shake?”, which aired on April 12, 2025. Biosfera is a weekly show that draws attention to good environmental practices related to energy, biodiversity and nature conservation.
This episode is entirely dedicated to earthquakes, including their origins and associated risks, with a particular emphasis on the Portuguese context. Given Portugal’s location near a tectonic plate boundary, the country faces significant seismic risk that should not be ignored. The programme also discusses whether current buildings are prepared to withstand a major earthquake.
Mónica Amaral Ferreira contributes scientific insights throughout the episode. She addresses topics such as the public perception of seismic risk, the potential benefits of early warning systems, the role of urban planning according to tsunami risk, historical references to the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and Pombaline buildings, seismic strengthening of buildings, notes from the post-earthquake mission to Türkiye (2023), non-structural risks, and the limitations of earthquake drills.