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✅Why were volcanic phenomena considered punishments sent by God?

For many centuries, in the absence or insufficiency of scientific explanations for natural catastrophes, the Church, whether out of conviction or mere strategy, adopted the official discourse of attributing a religious cause to them. Thus, natural cataclysms, earthquakes, and volcanic phenomena were seen as nothing more than punishments sent by God in response to the sins committed by mankind, manifestations of divine displeasure at human behavior.

It could be said that the Church used these powerful natural phenomena to highlight human insignificance and to call for a stronger connection to God and religion. As for the Azores, examples of this can be found throughout history.

For instance, the earthquake of 1522, which violently struck Vila Franca do Campo, almost completely destroying it and causing a high number of casualties (Frutuoso tells us that almost 4,000 people were buried), was believed to have originated from divine wrath, as the inhabitants of the town had forgotten that God existed, accumulating many vices and offenses.

In the mid-16th century, another earthquake severely disturbed the people of Vila Franca, and the same arguments were likely invoked: the people had engaged in sinful behavior, and as such, God could not prevent the punishment, which served to frighten them and make them reconsider their conduct.

Frightened by the forces of nature, and above all, held responsible for the cataclysms that terrified them, the people appealed to the same God who was punishing them, in an attempt to calm His wrath and seek His forgiveness. Therefore, the Azorean people, insecure and unprotected, resorted to various religious expressions as a way to invoke divine mercy. One example: following the violent earthquake that struck São Jorge Island in 1580, causing panic and destruction, many sought refuge and protection in the churches, “where the priests of the village [of Velas] began to hold processions, with men, women, and children crying, begging God for mercy with loud cries.”

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