Earthquakes in Augusta
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 = 0.247 g (10% probability of exceedance in 50 years, rigid soil).
The “area” is Augusta plus nearby towns.
The seismic history of Augusta
The earthquakes that were actually felt in Augusta over the centuries, with the intensity observed on site (Mercalli MCS scale).
- 1990VII-VIII13 December 1990
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M5.6), epicentre 24 km away
- 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 24 km away · observed at Stazione di Brucoli
- 1990VI13 December 1990
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M5.6), epicentre 24 km away · observed at Monte Tauro
- 1990V-VI13 December 1990
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M5.6), epicentre 24 km away · observed at Brucoli
- 1908VII28 December 1908
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Stretto di Messina earthquake (M7.1), epicentre 110 km away
- 1848VIII-IX11 January 1848
Destructive: many buildings partly or fully collapse.
Golfo di Catania earthquake (M5.5), epicentre 22 km away
- 1818V-VI20 February 1818
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Catanese earthquake (M6.3), epicentre 40 km away
- 1693X11 January 1693
Completely destructive: most buildings are destroyed.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M7.3), epicentre 18 km away · observed at Brucoli
- 1693X11 January 1693
Completely destructive: most buildings are destroyed.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M7.3), epicentre 18 km away
- 1693VIII-IX9 January 1693
Destructive: many buildings partly or fully collapse.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M6.1), epicentre 16 km away
- 1693VII-VIII9 January 1693
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M6.1), epicentre 16 km away · observed at Brucoli
- 1542VIII10 December 1542
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M6.7), epicentre 20 km away
…and 31 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?
Augusta 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 Siracusa6 events · 30gSicily region127 events · 30gFrequently asked questions
Were there earthquakes today in Augusta?
Yes: today the Augusta area (town and surroundings) recorded 1 quakes; the most recent 14 minutes ago.
Is Augusta a seismic area?
Augusta 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 Augusta?
In the last ~12 years of INGV data, the strongest within 30 km of Augusta was magnitude 3.3, in 2019.
When was the last quake near Augusta?
The last quake recorded within 30 km of Augusta was 14 minutes ago.
Tip. Click a nearby town to explore its seismicity.
Data: INGV — National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (CC-BY 4.0)