Central Italy and parts of the Balkans reported feeling tremors from a 5.6 magnitude earthquake Tuesday.
The quake hit around 7:00 am local time at a depth of only 10 km, roughly 22 miles north east of Marotta, Italy, just offshore in the Adriatic, according to the United States Geological Survey. The initial quake was followed by more than 50 aftershocks of a lower magnitude, but still strong enough to prompt local authorities to restrict rail traffic in the area, Reuters reported.
Schools were also shut in parts of the central Marche region after minor damage was reported, according to the BBC. The shaking was also felt as far away as the cities of Rome and Bologna, as well as the countries Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
#Earthquake (#terremoto) possibly felt 39 sec ago in #Italy. Felt it? Tell us via:
📱https://t.co/LBaVNedOuH
🌐https://t.co/AXvOM7ICIP
🖥https://t.co/wPtMW5OaR1
⚠ Automatic crowdsourced detection, not seismically verified yet. More info soon! pic.twitter.com/xayaT6LzKB— EMSC (@LastQuake) November 9, 2022
Despite Italians running into the streets in panic, the fire departments near the epicenter did not receive any rescue requests, the BBC continued. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said she’s in “constant contact” with Civil Protection authorities and leadership in the Marche region, Reuters noted. (RELATED: Massive 7.0 Earthquake Hits The Philippines)
Italy is one of the most geologically active regions in southern Europe, with many active and dormant volcanoes accompanying the nation’s proclivity for tremors. The nation sits atop a plate boundary that splinters into faults, creating beautiful mountain regions but deadly volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, according to the Guardian.