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EARTHQUAKES

Northern Italy rocked by “very strong” earthquake

A 4-4-magnitude earthquake was recorded 39 kilometres northeast of Milan on Saturday morning, according to Rome's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).

Published: 18 December 2021 14:10 CET
Macroseismic intensity map for an earthquake near Milan
This map shows the intensity and epicentre of today's quake near Bergamo, in Italy's Lombardy region. Photo: INGV

The earthquake was felt throughout the entire region of Lombardy at 11.34am on Saturday with its epicentre in the small town of Bonate Sotto, near the city of Bergamo.

The shock lasted a few seconds and was followed by a second, less intense quake at 11.57am.

The second quake had a magnitude of 2.2. Its epicentre was in Osio Sotto, around 10 kilometres from that of the first one.

Local media reported that some people took to the streets in panic in nearby Milan, Italy’s second-largest city.

Data scientist Alessandro Saccoia said on Twitter that it could be felt very strongly in Milan, reporting that “the building shook”.

Journalist Marta Ottaviani said she hadn’t felt such a strong quake as Saturday’s in Italy even in nearly nine years in Istanbul.

Media reported that neither of the quakes were thought to have caused any damage or injuries.

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EARTHQUAKES

Italy’s Siena province shaken by 3.4 earthquake

A 3.4-magnitude earthquake shook the Siena province, central Tuscany, on Tuesday evening, resulting in no damage but causing residents to run out into the streets.

Published: 17 April 2024 09:50 CEST
Italy’s Siena province shaken by 3.4 earthquake

The quake, which occurred at 7.49pm local time, did not result in any damage but caused “panic” among residents, with many rushing out into the streets, Tuscany’s president Eugenio Giani said.

The epicentre was located four kilometres east of the town of Poggibonsi, in the Siena province, at a depth of around 8.3 kilometres, according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).

The quake was initially estimated to have been between 3.2 and 3.7 on the Richter magnitude scale before official data placed it at 3.4. 

Poggibonsi mayor David Bussagli said the quake “was felt distinctly” but “no damage to people or things” had been reported.

The tremor was also felt by residents in Florence, Arezzo and Pisa, according to local media reports.

READ ALSO: What to do in an earthquake in Italy

Tremors are not new to the area. A 3.5 quake struck the city of Siena, which is famous for its artistic heritage and the Palio horse race, last February, causing local museums, schools and universities to close for a day. 

Italy is among the most earthquake-prone countries in Europe as the Italian peninsula lies right where the African tectonic plate converges with the Eurasian plate, meaning that the country is “seismic in its entirety”, according to the country’s Civil Protection Department.

READ ALSO: Which parts of Italy have the highest risk of earthquakes?

Italy has been hit by more than 30,000 medium to strong earthquakes over the past 2,500 years, and seven earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.5 or more in the 20th century alone.

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