Second Major Earthquake in Northern Italy in Less Than 10 Days
May 30, 2012
A 5.8-magnitude earthquake on May 29 in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy triggered widespread destruction, killing at least 17 people. The epicenter of the quake, which struck at a depth 6 miles (9.6 kilometers), was 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Bologna. Both the cities of Bologna and Milan were shaken. The quake and dozens of aftershocks came less than 10 days after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake devastated the region, leaving 7 people dead and at least 6,000 homeless. The first earthquake is believed to have weakened many structures, causing the widespread collapse of buildings during the second quake. An estimated 14,000 people are now homeless in the region.
(World Book map; map data © MapQuest.com, Inc.)
The earthquake on May 20–the strongest in this region of Italy for hundreds of years–toppled numerous factories and apartment buildings. Preliminary reports also indicate that the temblor caused significant damage to the region’s cultural heritage, destroying churches, historic buildings, and monuments. The epicenter of the first quake was a small town between Modena and Ferrara. That quake occurred only 3 miles (5 kilometers) below the surface, a surprisingly shallow depth considering its distance–470 miles (750 kilometers)–from the tectonic boundary where the African Plate is pushing into the Eurasian Plate. In general, quakes strike deeper below the surface the farther they are from a plate boundary.
Recent earthquakes in Emilia-Romagna have been linked to the collision of the African Tectonic Plate with the Eurasian Plate. (World Book map)
Emilia-Romagna is one of Italy’s most productive agricultural regions. Residents report that the two earthquakes have dealt severe blows to the region’s world-famous balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese industries.
Additional World Book articles:
- Plate techtonics
- When the Earth Moves (a special report)
- Italy 1997 (a Back in Time article)
- Italy 2009 (a Back in Time article)
