Newsletters
A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of southern Italy during the early hours of Tuesday, rattling residents but leaving no immediate casualties or significant damage in its wake.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the seismic event occurred at 12:12 a.m. local time (10:12 p.m. GMT on Monday). It was centered approximately 10 miles southwest of the town of Saracena, about 23 miles from Cosenza in the Calabria region.
Because the quake was recorded at a significant depth of 247 kilometers, its surface impact was heavily cushioned.
The USGS assigned the tremor an initial intensity rating of "IV" on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. This classification indicates "light" shaking, strong enough to be felt by many people indoors, but unlikely to cause structural harm.
During the event, locals reported rattling dishes, windows, and doors, as well as cracking sounds from walls and the noticeable rocking of parked vehicles. Those outdoors, however, may not have felt the movement at all.
Regional authorities and emergency officials confirmed there have been no immediate reports of injuries or structural devastation. Nevertheless, experts continue to closely monitor the area for any secondary activity or aftershocks.
Seismic activity is a familiar phenomenon for the Mediterranean nation. According to Fox Weather, Italy frequently experiences earthquakes ranging from minor, imperceptible tremors to catastrophic events—such as the 4.1 magnitude earthquake that rattled the town of Bacoli last month.
The timing of the quake comes at a sensitive moment for the local economy, as June marks the official start of Italy's peak summer tourism season. However, with no immediate damage reported, travel and daily operations in the region are expected to continue without disruption.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
