Earthquakes in Carrara
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 = 0.146 g (10% probability of exceedance in 50 years, rigid soil).
The “area” is Carrara plus nearby towns.
The seismic history of Carrara
The earthquakes that were actually felt in Carrara over the centuries, with the intensity observed on site (Mercalli MCS scale).
- 2013V21 June 2013
Rather strong: felt by almost everyone; hanging objects swing.
Lunigiana earthquake (M5.4), epicentre 5 km away · observed at Castelpoggio
- 1995VI10 October 1995
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Lunigiana earthquake (M4.8), epicentre 9 km away
- 1980V7 June 1980
Rather strong: felt by almost everyone; hanging objects swing.
Garfagnana earthquake (M4.6), epicentre 37 km away · observed at Fossola
- 1939VI15 October 1939
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Garfagnana earthquake (M5.0), epicentre 13 km away
- 1920VIII7 September 1920
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Garfagnana earthquake (M6.5), epicentre 17 km away · observed at Sorgnano
- 1920VIII7 September 1920
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Garfagnana earthquake (M6.5), epicentre 17 km away · observed at Bergiola
- 1920VII-VIII7 September 1920
Ruinous: partial collapses in ordinary buildings, widespread heavy damage.
Garfagnana earthquake (M6.5), epicentre 17 km away · observed at Bedizzano
- 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 Marina di Carrara
- 1920VI-VII7 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 Avenza
- 1914VI27 October 1914
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Lucchesia earthquake (M5.6), epicentre 44 km away
- 1914VI27 October 1914
Strong: felt by everyone, many get scared; objects fall, first light damage to buildings.
Lucchesia earthquake (M5.6), epicentre 44 km away · observed at Marina di Carrara
…and 66 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 9 km from Lunigiana, 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?
Carrara 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 Massa-Carrara2 events · 30gTuscany region53 events · 30gFrequently asked questions
Were there earthquakes today in Carrara?
Yes: today the Carrara area (town and surroundings) recorded 1 quakes; the most recent 42 minutes ago.
Is Carrara a seismic area?
Carrara 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 Carrara?
In the last ~11 years of INGV data, the strongest within 30 km of Carrara was magnitude 3.9, in 2026.
When was the last quake near Carrara?
The last quake recorded within 30 km of Carrara was 42 minutes ago.
Tip. Click a nearby town to explore its seismicity.
Data: INGV — National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (CC-BY 4.0)