On the 30th October 2016 at 06:40:19.9 UTC an earthquake of magnitude 6.5 occurred in central Italy, 6km north of Norcia, with epicentral location 42.855°N 13.088°E, see figure below. According to the USGS this is the largest earthquake in Italy since the magnitude 6.9 Irpinia earthquake in southern Italy in 1980.

The M6.5 event occurred 117 km northeast of Rome and is the largest event in an on-going sequence of damaging earthquakes that include:

– the August 24, 2016, M6.2 central Italy (Amatrice) earthquake which caused approximately 300 fatalities, and severely damaged the town of Amatrice.

– the October 26, 2016, M6.1 central Italy earthquake, which is not known to have caused any fatalities.

The event was recorded at seismic stations worldwide, including stations of the Irish National Seismic Network (INSN), see seismic traces below.

There were no immediate reports on casualties caused by the earthquake, however significant damage to buildings has been reported. Further event information can be found at these internet pages: EMSC, USGS, GFZ and GDACS. For further information about the INSN please follow this link.