Mw 7.8 Southwest of Sagres, Portugal

On 28 February 1969 a major earthquake occurred Southwest of Sagres, Portugal at a depth of 10 km. The seismic event occurred at 02:40:32 UTC and had an estimated moment magnitude (Mw) 7.8.

One planetary alignment — Sun-Mercury-Neptune — on 26 February preceded the earthquake. At the same time Earth was very closely aligned with Venus and Saturn (1°28' on the 28th) and also with Mars and Neptune (1°37' on the 26th), allowing for critical lunar geometry with these planets. In addition, the Moon made critical geometry with Jupiter and Uranus on the 26th. Note that the Sun, Mercury and Neptune also aligned before the great Lisbon earthquake of 1755 when lunar geometry was likewise specifically critical without higher lunar peaks.

Sun-Mercury-Neptune      1969-02-26, 11:49:37  237°17'25"

Earth:   Moon-Uranus     1969-02-26, 13:03:17   90°00'00"
Earth:   Moon-Jupiter    1969-02-26, 15:03:47   90°00'00"

Earth:   Moon-Neptune    1969-02-27, 10:38:18  135°00'00"
Earth:   Moon-Mars       1969-02-27, 15:21:37  135°00'00"
					

SSGI depiction of planetary (PG) and lunar (LG) geometry