1639 Amatrice earthquake
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The 1639 Amatrice earthquake[3] occurred on 7 October near Amatrice,[4] in the upper valley of the river Tronto, at the time part of the Kingdom of Naples, now Italy.
   | |
| Local date | October 7, 1639 |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 6.01±0.36 Mw[1] |
| Epicenter | 42.639°N 13.261°E[2] |
| Areas affected | Italy, Lazio |
| Max. intensity | MMI IX (Violent) â MMI X (Extreme) |
| Casualties | 500[2] |
History
The princes Orsini left the city destroyed by the earthquake,[5] whose shock lasted 15 minutes and caused about 500 deaths (although many bodies remained under the rubble). Damage was estimated between 400,000 and 1 million scudi of the time.[6]
The next 14 October there was a strong aftershock.[7]
Many inhabitants fled to the countryside, where tents were set up, while others found refuge in the church of San Domenico.[3] Among the buildings destroyed or badly damaged, there were: the princes Orsini's palace[8] (that at the time of the earthquake they were out of town), the Palazzo del Reggimento (Regiment's palace), the church of the Holy Crucifix, and other houses.[3] Rosaries and processions were organized by the people to invoke the end of earthquakes.[3] There were also heavy losses of the cattle (the main source of income at the time), which forced the population to migrate to Rome and Ascoli Piceno.[6]
The effects of the earthquake were described in detail in a report published by Carlo Tiberi in 1639, subsequently revised and updated in a second edition of the same year.
See also
