Seismic activity in Northern Italy

Based on data supplied by Ingv and the Seismic and Volcanic Risk Office of the Civil Protection Department, we publish some updated on the seismic activity  that is currently affecting Northern Italy. 

From 25 January, the National Seismic Network has been registering various shocks in the areas of Verona and the ones of Reggio Emilia and Parma. They are two different phenomena, without any connection, linked to different seismic districts and different faults: this means the quakes have their origins in different fractures of the earth's crust. Shocks registered in Veneto and Emilia Romagna are part of the ordinary seismic activity of our country.  IIn Italy each year there are over 10,000 eathquakes, an average of thirty a day, which cannot be predicted.
Earthquakes rarely occur as isolated shocks, but rather as a sequence of shocks of different magnitud.  Studies on foreshocks, like the ones ongoing in Northern Italy do not allow to assume the occurrence of a stronger shock.
 
It is thus important to be aware of the danger on the territory and be informed on how buildings where we live, study and work are constructed. Each citizen should know how and when his house was built, on which type of ground, with which material and whether is was modified over the years according to seismic regulations. Local technical offices or a technician can provide further information.

Seismic sequence in Reggio Emilia and Parma
The territory between the provinces of Reggio Emilia and Parma is currently affected by a seismic sequence in the municipalities of Brescello, Gattico, Poviglio, Castelnuovo di Sotto, in the province of Reggio Emilia, Sorbolo, Colorno, Torrile, in the province of Parma.
For the time being nine shocks have been registered, with magnitude Ml between 2,3 and 4,9, in particulat Ml 4,9 (at 09:06 a.m. of 25 January), Ml 2,5 (9.40 p.m. of 25 January), Ml 3,3 (00.01 a.m. of 26 January) and Ml 2,9 (10.57 a.m. of 26 January). Hypocenters depth was around 25-30 km underground.
The main shock of 25 January was perceived in a wide area of Northern Italy including Veneto, Lombardy, Emilia Romagna, Piedmont and Liguria.
An in-depth examination of the phenomane can be found in the technical file of seismicity of Reggion Emilia and Parma.

Seismic sequence in the area of Verona
Prealps of Veneto are currently hit by a seismic sequence some ten kilometers in the northern area off Verona. For the time being 15 shocks have been registered, with magnitude Ml between 1,6 and 4,2, the strongest of Ml 2,7 (08:41 p.m. of 24 January), Ml 2,5 (07:15 a.m of 25 January), Ml 2,9 (08:26 a.m. of 25 January) and Ml 2,6 (07:50 p. m. of 26 January). Hypocenters depth was around 10 km underground.
The main shock was perceived in a wide area of Veneto and Eastern Lombardy and in particular in the municipalities of Bosco Chiesanuova, Cerro Veronese, Fumane, Grezzana, Marano di Valpolicella, Negrar, San Pietro in Cariano, Sant'Anna d'Alfaedo, all in the province of Verona.
A description of the effects of the main historical quakes is contained in the technical file of Veneto seismicity.

08.30 a.m. update

Source: www.ingv.it - Map fo macroseismic effects in the province of Reggio Emilia, worked out by using the on line questionnaire