Earthquakes in Mascalucia
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 Mascalucia plus nearby towns.
The seismic history of Mascalucia
The earthquakes that were actually felt in Mascalucia 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 46 km away
- 1980VI23 August 1980
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Etna - C.da Pizzo Carammo (Mascalucia) earthquake (M3.2), epicentre 2 km away · observed at Pizzo Carammo
- 1908VI-VII28 December 1908
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Stretto di Messina earthquake (M7.1), epicentre 84 km away
- 1906VI2 June 1906
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Etna - Massa Annunziata (Mascalucia) earthquake (M3.2), epicentre 1 km away · observed at Massa Annunziata
- 1848VII11 January 1848
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Golfo di Catania earthquake (M5.5), epicentre 25 km away
- 1848VII11 January 1848
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Golfo di Catania earthquake (M5.5), epicentre 25 km away · observed at Massa Annunziata
- 1818VIII20 February 1818
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Catanese earthquake (M6.3), epicentre 9 km away · observed at Massa Annunziata
- 1818VIII20 February 1818
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Catanese earthquake (M6.3), epicentre 9 km away
- 1693X-XI11 January 1693
Catastrophic: very few buildings remain standing; landslides and ground cracks.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M7.3), epicentre 49 km away · observed at Massa Annunziata
- 1693X11 January 1693
Completely destructive: most buildings are destroyed.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M7.3), epicentre 49 km away
- 1693X11 January 1693
Completely destructive: most buildings are destroyed.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M7.3), epicentre 49 km away · observed at Mompilieri vecchio
- 1669D11 March 1669
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Etna - Versante meridionale earthquake (M2.9), epicentre 4 km away · observed at Chiesa di Mompilieri
…and 123 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?
Mascalucia is about average for its province in recorded quakes.
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 Mascalucia?
No, no quakes were recorded today in the Mascalucia area: the latest nearby dates back to 5 days ago.
Is Mascalucia a seismic area?
Mascalucia 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 Mascalucia?
In the last ~12 years of INGV data, the strongest within 30 km of Mascalucia was magnitude 4.9, in 2018.
When was the last quake near Mascalucia?
The last quake recorded within 30 km of Mascalucia 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)