Earthquakes in Leonessa
Seismic activity in the surroundings
30 km radiusINGV catalogue epicentres of the last ~12 years, within the given radius from the town centre.
How seismic is this area?
The most severe class: strong earthquakes are possible here and buildings follow the strictest anti-seismic rules.
Official Civil Protection classification (upd. 2025), used for building codes.
Hazard describes the long-term expected shaking: it is not a forecast. Technical value: ag = 0.255 g (10% probability of exceedance in 50 years, rigid soil).
The “area” is Leonessa plus nearby towns.
The seismic history of Leonessa
The earthquakes that were actually felt in Leonessa over the centuries, with the intensity observed on site (Mercalli MCS scale).
- 1979VII19 September 1979
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Valnerina earthquake (M5.8), epicentre 18 km away
- 1979VII19 September 1979
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Valnerina earthquake (M5.8), epicentre 18 km away · observed at Terzone San Paolo
- 1950VII5 September 1950
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Gran Sasso earthquake (M5.7), epicentre 37 km away
- 1916VIII16 November 1916
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Alto Reatino earthquake (M5.5), epicentre 16 km away · observed at Sant'Angelo
- 1730VIII12 May 1730
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Valnerina earthquake (M6.0), epicentre 22 km away
- 1703X2 February 1703
Completely destructive: most buildings are destroyed.
Aquilano earthquake (M6.7), epicentre 28 km away
- 1703IX-X2 February 1703
Completely destructive: most buildings are destroyed.
Aquilano earthquake (M6.7), epicentre 28 km away · observed at Piedelpoggio
- 1703X14 January 1703
Completely destructive: most buildings are destroyed.
Valnerina earthquake (M6.9), epicentre 16 km away · observed at Albaneto
- 1703IX-X14 January 1703
Completely destructive: most buildings are destroyed.
Valnerina earthquake (M6.9), epicentre 16 km away · observed at Terzone San Pietro
- 1703IX14 January 1703
Destructive: many buildings partly or fully collapse.
Valnerina earthquake (M6.9), epicentre 16 km away · observed at San Giovinale
- 1703VIII14 January 1703
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Valnerina earthquake (M6.9), epicentre 16 km away · observed at Sala
- 1703VIII14 January 1703
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Valnerina earthquake (M6.9), epicentre 16 km away
…and 94 more documented effects in this town's history.
Source: Italian Macroseismic Database DBMI15 (INGV, CC BY 4.0).
The great earthquakes in this area's history
Almost a thousand years of catalogues: the strongest documented events within ~50 km.
Source: Parametric Catalogue of Italian Earthquakes CPTI15 (INGV, CC BY 4.0).
The closest seismic structure
The town sits above this source area: the deep structure where this area's earthquakes can originate.
Faults are mapped to build better and understand the territory: knowing them says nothing about when an earthquake will occur, which remains unpredictable. Source: DISS 3.3 (INGV, CC BY 4.0).
Area over time
Earthquake map
60 eventsEarthquakes in the area
Nearby towns
How does it compare with the surroundings?
Leonessa sits in one of the most seismically active areas of its province: quakes are a familiar presence here, almost always light.
Each quake is attributed to the town closest to its epicentre: the numbers describe the area, not the municipal territory alone.
Context
Province of Rieti72 events · 30gLazio region80 events · 30gFrequently asked questions
Were there earthquakes today in Leonessa?
Yes: today the Leonessa area (town and surroundings) recorded 1 quakes; the most recent 1 hour ago.
Is Leonessa a seismic area?
Leonessa is classified in seismic zone 1 by the Civil Protection. The most severe class: strong earthquakes are possible here and buildings follow the strictest anti-seismic rules.
What was the strongest earthquake near Leonessa?
In the last ~12 years of INGV data, the strongest within 30 km of Leonessa was magnitude 6.0, in 2016.
When was the last quake near Leonessa?
The last quake recorded within 30 km of Leonessa was 1 hour ago.
Tip. Click a nearby town to explore its seismicity.
Data: INGV — National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (CC-BY 4.0)