Earthquakes in Avola
Mar Ionio Meridionale [Mare]
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 = 0.216 g (10% probability of exceedance in 50 years, rigid soil).
The “area” is Avola plus nearby towns.
The seismic history of Avola
The earthquakes that were actually felt in Avola over the centuries, with the intensity observed on site (Mercalli MCS scale).
- 2016IV8 February 2016
Moderate: felt by many indoors; glasses and dishes rattle.
Monti Iblei earthquake (M4.4), epicentre 25 km away
- 2012IV27 June 2012
Moderate: felt by many indoors; glasses and dishes rattle.
Monti Iblei earthquake (M3.9), epicentre 10 km away
- 1990VI13 December 1990
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M5.6), epicentre 49 km away
- 1980IV23 January 1980
Moderate: felt by many indoors; glasses and dishes rattle.
Monti Iblei earthquake (M4.4), epicentre 29 km away
- 1978IV15 April 1978
Moderate: felt by many indoors; glasses and dishes rattle.
Golfo di Patti earthquake (M6.0), epicentre 162 km away
- 1949VII8 October 1949
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M5.1), epicentre 40 km away
- 1908VI28 December 1908
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Stretto di Messina earthquake (M7.1), epicentre 144 km away
- 1895IV-V13 April 1895
Rather strong: felt by almost everyone; hanging objects swing.
Monti Iblei ? earthquake (M4.8), epicentre 43 km away
- 1848V-VI11 January 1848
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Golfo di Catania earthquake (M5.5), epicentre 56 km away
- 1693X11 January 1693
Completely destructive: most buildings are destroyed.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M7.3), epicentre 26 km away · observed at Avola Antica
- 1693VIII-IX9 January 1693
Destructive: many buildings partly or fully collapse.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M6.1), epicentre 25 km away · observed at Avola Antica
- 1542VIII-IX10 December 1542
Destructive: many buildings partly or fully collapse.
Sicilia sud-orientale earthquake (M6.7), epicentre 36 km away · observed at Avola Antica
…and 11 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 lies about 21 km from Monte Lauro, one of the seismic structures mapped by INGV geologists.
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?
Avola records more quakes than the average of its province.
Each quake is attributed to the town closest to its epicentre: the numbers describe the area, not the municipal territory alone.
Context
Province of Siracusa5 events · 30gSicily region126 events · 30gFrequently asked questions
Were there earthquakes today in Avola?
No, no quakes were recorded today in the Avola area: the latest nearby dates back to 3 days ago.
Is Avola a seismic area?
Avola 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 Avola?
In the last ~12 years of INGV data, the strongest within 30 km of Avola was magnitude 4.2, in 2016.
When was the last quake near Avola?
The last quake recorded within 30 km of Avola was 6 days ago.
Tip. Click a nearby town to explore its seismicity.
Data: INGV — National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (CC-BY 4.0)