Earthquakes in Massa
Seismic activity in the surroundings
30 km radiusINGV catalogue epicentres of the last ~11 years, within the given radius from the town centre.
How seismic is this area?
Medium-low seismicity: strong quakes are rare, but not impossible.
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 = 0.142 g (10% probability of exceedance in 50 years, rigid soil).
The “area” is Massa plus nearby towns.
The seismic history of Massa
The earthquakes that were actually felt in Massa over the centuries, with the intensity observed on site (Mercalli MCS scale).
- 1920VIII7 September 1920
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Garfagnana earthquake (M6.5), epicentre 17 km away · observed at Resceto
- 1920VIII7 September 1920
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Garfagnana earthquake (M6.5), epicentre 17 km away · observed at Pariana
- 1920VII-VIII7 September 1920
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Garfagnana earthquake (M6.5), epicentre 17 km away · observed at Forno
- 1920VII-VIII7 September 1920
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Garfagnana earthquake (M6.5), epicentre 17 km away · observed at Altagnana
- 1920VII7 September 1920
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Garfagnana earthquake (M6.5), epicentre 17 km away · observed at Lavacchio
- 1920VII7 September 1920
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Garfagnana earthquake (M6.5), epicentre 17 km away · observed at Caglieglia
- 1920VII7 September 1920
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Garfagnana earthquake (M6.5), epicentre 17 km away
- 1920VII7 September 1920
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Garfagnana earthquake (M6.5), epicentre 17 km away · observed at Mirteto
- 1920VI7 September 1920
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Garfagnana earthquake (M6.5), epicentre 17 km away · observed at Marina di Massa
- 1914VI-VII27 October 1914
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Lucchesia earthquake (M5.6), epicentre 38 km away
- 1846VI14 August 1846
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Colline Pisane earthquake (M6.0), epicentre 73 km away
- 1767VII21 January 1767
Very strong: hard to stand; chimneys and roof tiles fall, serious damage to weaker buildings.
Lunigiana earthquake (M5.3), epicentre 10 km away
…and 80 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 13 km from Garfagnana, 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?
Massa 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 Massa-Carrara2 events · 30gTuscany region52 events · 30gFrequently asked questions
Were there earthquakes today in Massa?
No, no quakes were recorded today in the Massa area: the latest nearby dates back to 7 days ago.
Is Massa a seismic area?
Massa is classified in seismic zone 3 by the Civil Protection. Medium-low seismicity: strong quakes are rare, but not impossible.
What was the strongest earthquake near Massa?
In the last ~11 years of INGV data, the strongest within 30 km of Massa was magnitude 3.9, in 2026.
When was the last quake near Massa?
The last quake recorded within 30 km of Massa 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)