2016 Central Italy earthquake facts for kids
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| UTC time | ?? |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 6.0 Mw |
| Depth | 4.2 km (2.6 mi) |
| Epicenter | 42°42′22″N 13°13′23″E / 42.706°N 13.223°E |
| Type | normal |
| Areas affected | Italy |
| Max. intensity | IX (Violent) |
| Casualties | ≈ 250 deaths ≈ 365 injured |
The 2016 Central Italy earthquake was a strong natural disaster that hit Central Italy on August 24, 2016, at 03:36 CEST (local time). Its epicentre, the point on the Earth's surface directly above where the earthquake started, was very close to a town called Accumoli. This main earthquake was followed by about 40 strong aftershocks, which are smaller earthquakes that happen after a larger one.
Sadly, this earthquake caused the deaths of around 250 people and injured about 365 others.
Contents
What Caused the Central Italy Earthquake?
Earthquakes happen when parts of the Earth's outer layer, called tectonic plates, move and rub against each other. The 2016 Central Italy earthquake was a normal fault type. This means that the ground pulled apart, causing one block of land to slide down relative to another.
Understanding Earthquake Strength
The strength of an earthquake is measured in two main ways:
- Magnitude: This tells us how much energy the earthquake released. The 2016 Central Italy earthquake had a magnitude of 6.0 on the Moment magnitude scale. A higher number means a much stronger earthquake.
- Intensity: This describes how much the earthquake was felt and how much damage it caused in different places. The Central Italy earthquake reached an intensity of IX (Violent) on the Mercalli intensity scale. This means it caused significant damage to buildings and was felt very strongly by people.
Where Did the Earthquake Happen?
The earthquake's epicentre was near Accumoli, a town in the Lazio region of Italy. However, its effects were felt across several regions in Central Italy, including Abruzzo, Marche, and Umbria.
Impact on Towns and Villages
Many towns and villages in the mountainous areas of Central Italy were heavily affected. These areas often have older buildings that are not built to withstand strong earthquakes as well as newer structures. The shaking caused many buildings to collapse, leading to the tragic loss of life and injuries.
What Are Aftershocks?
Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that happen after a larger main earthquake. They occur as the Earth's crust adjusts to the changes caused by the main quake. The 2016 Central Italy earthquake had many aftershocks, which can be scary for people and can cause further damage to already weakened buildings.
