Lifestyle

5,1 earthquake hits southern Italy and leaves injured

Published

December 26, 2018

Catania region recorded landslides, according to the newspaper 'La Repubblica'. The tremor is the most violent since the eruption of the Etna volcano, on Monday (24).

A magnitude 5,1 earthquake struck the Catania region in southern Italy in the early hours of Wednesday (26), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported. According to the newspaper “La Repubblica”, the intensity was lower (magnitude 4,8), but the tremor caused collapses and left 10 people injured.

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The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported that more than 130 tremors have been recorded since Monday (24), when the eruption began. “La Repubblica” states that this was the most violent earthquake since then.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the epicenter was recorded in Acitrezza, 10 km deep.

The A18 road, which connects Catania to Messina, was closed as a precaution.

Etna, at 3,3 meters, is the most active volcano in Europe, with frequent eruptions, known for at least 2.700 years. Its last eruptive phase was in the spring of 2017 and the last major eruption was in the winter of 2008 to 2009.

At the end of March, a study published in the journal Bulletin of Volcanology revealed that Etna slides very slowly towards the Mediterranean, at a constant rate of 14 millimeters per year.