Earthquakes in Aci Catena
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?
A zone where strong earthquakes are possible: new buildings follow strict anti-seismic criteria.
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 = 0.222 g (10% probability of exceedance in 50 years, rigid soil).
The “area” is Aci Catena plus nearby towns.
The seismic history of Aci Catena
The earthquakes that were actually felt in Aci Catena over the centuries, with the intensity observed on site (Mercalli MCS scale).
- 1990VI-VII13 December 1990
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M5.6), epicentre 41 km away
- 1990D13 December 1990
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M5.6), epicentre 41 km away · observed at Aci San Filippo
- 1983VI20 July 1983
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Etna - Viagrande earthquake (M4.3), epicentre 4 km away
- 1914VI-VII8 May 1914
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Etna - Linera (S. Venerina) earthquake (M5.2), epicentre 7 km away · observed at San Cosimo
- 1894VI-VII8 August 1894
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Etna - Mazzasette (Acireale) earthquake (M4.6), epicentre 7 km away
- 1818IX-X20 February 1818
Completely destructive: most buildings are destroyed.
Catanese earthquake (M6.3), epicentre 1 km away · observed at Aci Consolazione
- 1818IX-X20 February 1818
Completely destructive: most buildings are destroyed.
Catanese earthquake (M6.3), epicentre 1 km away · observed at Aci Santa Lucia
- 1818IX20 February 1818
Destructive: many buildings partly or fully collapse.
Catanese earthquake (M6.3), epicentre 1 km away · observed at Aci San Filippo
- 1818IX20 February 1818
Destructive: many buildings partly or fully collapse.
Catanese earthquake (M6.3), epicentre 1 km away
- 1693X-XI11 January 1693
Catastrophic: very few buildings remain standing; landslides and ground cracks.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M7.3), epicentre 52 km away
- 1693X-XI11 January 1693
Catastrophic: very few buildings remain standing; landslides and ground cracks.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M7.3), epicentre 52 km away · observed at Aci San Filippo
- 1693X-XI11 January 1693
Catastrophic: very few buildings remain standing; landslides and ground cracks.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M7.3), epicentre 52 km away · observed at Aci Consolazione
…and 57 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?
Aci Catena is among the quietest towns of its province: very few epicentres are recorded here.
Each quake is attributed to the town closest to its epicentre: the numbers describe the area, not the municipal territory alone.
Context
Province of Catania23 events · 30gSicily region126 events · 30gFrequently asked questions
Were there earthquakes today in Aci Catena?
No, no quakes were recorded today in the Aci Catena area: the latest nearby dates back to 5 days ago.
Is Aci Catena a seismic area?
Aci Catena is classified in seismic zone 2 by the Civil Protection. A zone where strong earthquakes are possible: new buildings follow strict anti-seismic criteria.
What was the strongest earthquake near Aci Catena?
In the last ~12 years of INGV data, the strongest within 30 km of Aci Catena was magnitude 4.9, in 2018.
When was the last quake near Aci Catena?
The last quake recorded within 30 km of Aci Catena was 5 days ago.
Tip. Click a nearby town to explore its seismicity.
Data: INGV — National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (CC-BY 4.0)