1522 Vila Franca earthquake
The 1522 Vila Franca earthquake, also known as the 1522 Vila Franca landslide refers to the earthquake and landslides that occurred on 22 October 1522, in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo. Vila Franca do Campo was then the provincial capital and is located on São Miguel Island in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
A view of the Água do Pau Massif overlooking the modern town of Vila Franca do Campo
São Miguel Island, nicknamed "The Green Island", is the largest and most populous island in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. The island covers 760 km2 (290 sq mi) and has around 140,000 inhabitants, with 45,000 people residing in Ponta Delgada, the archipelago's largest city.
Satellite image of the island
The landing of the Spanish Tercios at Terceira during the Portuguese succession crisis of 1580
An 1845 engraving of the island of São Miguel (west is up)
Lagoa do Fogo (English: Lake of Fire), as seen from Miradouro da Serra da Barrosa, along the Água de Pau Massif