Chronology 1980-1989
1980
January 1 – A magnitude 7.1 earthquake on the Richter scale shook the islands of Terceira and São Jorge with an intensity of IX and VIII on the Mercalli scale, lasting 11 seconds. There were 71 fatalities, 51 on Terceira and 20 on São Jorge, and more than 400 injured. A large part of the housing stock on Terceira island was destroyed. The headquarters of the Montanheiros, that at the time was at Rua de São João #108 2nd floor, was completely ruined. Until December 1986 the assemblies and meetings were held at Av. José Agostinho.
April 1 – The volcanologist William Halliday was in Terceira island, accompanied by his wife, and invited by the Montanheiros. He visited several caves in Terceira island and prepared a paper that he presented in a symposium in Trieste, Italy.
Rua da Rocha after the Jan 1st 1980 earthquake.
Sede dos Montanheiros after the Jan 1st 1980 earthquake.
1981
February 1 – Os Montanheiros promoted a touristic and scientific hike to the Pico Alto massif, with the purpose of showing the magnificent panorama that can be seen from there.
August 23 – Field trip to the “Gruta da Brisa Azul” (Cave of the Blue Breeze) open to the general public.
1982
July 16 – The Angra do Heroísmo PSP (Public Security Police) captured and sent to court 3 North American military, aged between 20 and 23, who entered the Algar do Carvão using a fake key, and had already destroyed 3 stalactites and a stalagmite. They were spotted by workers in the area, who reported them, and were caught red-handed by the police still inside the cave. The judge decided to hand over the 3 soldiers to the American authorities, giving them 5 days to pay the amount stipulated by a geologist for the damage caused.
December 23 – The Montanheiros General Assembly approved the acquisition of the building, located at Rua da Rocha 6 and 8, for the installation of the future Headquarters.
1983
March 14 – Montanheiros expose to several public entities the problem of illegal lapilli extractions in Pico do Carvão.
April 24 – Trip organized jointly with ACM, going up to the Serra do Morião and passing to the Serra da Ribeirinha.
May 30 – On this day the declaration of Public Utility by the Regional Government to the Montanheiros was published in the Official Journal, resolution 58/83.
July 15 – Montanheiros write to several entities requesting urgent precautionary measures to be taken, in order to stop the bagacin exploration on the west slope of Pico do Carvão, Terceira island.
December 25 – Mass at the Christmas Grotto, at 12:00 pm, celebrated by Mr. D Aurélio Granada Escudeiro, in the presence of the Minister of the Republic General Conceição e Silva. At the end of the liturgical ceremony a child was baptized named Luís Miguel, son of Montanheiro José Manuel Oliveira and Idalina de Fátima da Purificação da Costa Oliveira. All the guests were offered a convivial stew at Furnas do Enxofre. During the day more than 400 people visited the cave.
1984
January 1 – Integrated in the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the Montanheiros, a monument was inaugurated to perpetuate the memory of the victims of the 1980 earthquake, built by the Montanheiros and placed in the drawer of the Cruzeiro, at the top of Ladeira de São Francisco. The plaque was unveiled by the Mayor of Angra do Heroísmo Prof. Leopoldino Tavares. It contains the following inscription: “Earthquake of 1.1.80 / 15h42 degree VII VIII Mercalli / Duration of 11 seconds / Homage to those who perished / Gratitude to those who, in the world, were with us”.
Plaque in honor of Associação Os Montanheiros, Ladeira S. Francisco, 1 Jan 1984
1985
December 1 – On this day, integrated in the commemorations of the 22nd Anniversary, the first stone of the future Montanheiros headquarters was laid in Rua da Rocha 6/8. Were present the Regional Secretary of Education and Culture Dr. António Mendes, Monsignor José em Lima, representing the Bishop, the Mayor of Angra Prof. Leopoldino Tavares and other public entities. There were also the salutations of the philharmonics Fanfarra Operária and Recreio dos Artistas.
Montanheiros Headquarters Site, Laying of the 1st Stone, 1 Dec 1985.
1986
December 1 – On this day was inaugurated the new Montanheiros Headquarters at Rua da Rocha 6/8. This event was integrated in the commemorations of the 23rd anniversary of the association. At around 9 pm and with the presence of the President of the Regional Government, Dr. Mota Amaral and Bishop D. Aurélio Granada Escudeiro. Aurélio Granada Escudeiro, the facilities were inaugurated and blessed. A provisional exhibition of some geological samples was set up in the place where the Machado Fagundes Volcano-Seological Museum would be set up some years later.
Inauguration of the Montanheiros Headquarters, Provisional Museum, 1 Dec 1986.
1987
March 4 – The Montanheiros request a generator from the Angra Fire Department to light up the interior of Algar do Carvão, on March 22, for a visit by people interested in seeing the lagoon filled with water, which was at a record level of 27 meters.
March 8 – First exploration of the Gruta do Chocolate in Biscoitos.
July 21 – The Regional Legislative Decree nº.13/87/A, that creates the Algar do Carvão Geological Natural Reserve, is published in Diário da República.
September 21 – Work has begun on building access to the interior of Algar do Carvão.
December 25 – Christmas Mass, at 12:00, at Algar do Carvão, with the presence of D. Aurélio Granada Escudeiro. The Pit was open to the public from 11:30 am until 2 pm. It was the first Eucharist held in this cave.
1988
Aprli 8 – Due to the poor lighting in Furna do Enxofre, in Graciosa island, the Montanheiros request to the Santa Cruz City Hall, transportation, equipment and lodging for a team of 5 elements that intend to renovate the lighting. The Regional Government visited the same Furna do Enxofre a few days later.
April 12 – The Montanheiros register with the Portuguese Speleology Federation.
May 23 – On this day began the Montanheiros hiking program, in collaboration with the DRAC, called “Naturally Nature 88”. This first walk was between Pico Alto and Pico do Boi. This was the first year in which the walks were scheduled in advance, as well as adequately publicized.
June 18 – On this day was held the ceremony of official opening of Algar do Carvão at 21 hours and of its new accesses and electrification.
July 24 – Performance of the AMIT Choir at Algar do Carvão, in an initiative of the Minister of the Republic, for the participants in the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities.
October 28 to November 5 – Mission to São Jorge island named “São Jorge 88”. Were explored the Bocas do Fogo, Gruta do Leão and Gruta da Beira. Participated in this mission: Fernando Pereira, Manuel Aguiar, Luís Parreira and Marcelina Alves.
December 13 – Mission to São Jorge island called “Montoso 88”. They visited the Leão cave, where filming took place, and the Algar do Montoso. This expedition was supported by the Portuguese Air Force.
1989
May 21 to 26 – Between the 21st and 26th the Montanheiros went to Pico. The mission named “Biospel 89” visited several caves, especially the Montanheiros Cave.
July 4/11 – Scientific Expedition “Flores 89″ organized by the Department of Biology of the University of the Azores with the participation of the Montanheiros (Manuel Aguiar Silva, Fernando Pereira and Luis Parreira).
October 14 – Bio speleological expedition to the island of Faial called “Capelo 89”. For the first time the descent to Furna Ruim was made and the Parque do Capelo Cave and the Cabeço do Canto Cave were explored.
