Italy-In the Sicilian municipality of Floresta, which is located within the province of Messina, the earth was shaken by earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 2.3 to 3.7. The seismic event was documented by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology on Thursday, December 15, in the late afternoon. The depth was 35 kilometres from the epicentre, which was located in Floresta.
A cluster of earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 3.0 to 3.7 was observed in the Floresta region.
On Thursday, December 15, around the late afternoon, people in Sicily reported feeling the ground tremble. At the province of Messina, a seismic swarm with its epicentre in Floresta has caused widespread damage. The earthquakes had magnitudes ranging from 3.0 to 3.7, and a more moderate aftershock with a magnitude of 2.3 was also observed.
Concerning the tremors, the first earthquake with a magnitude of 3.0 was registered at 19:18:05 four kilometres southwest of Floresta (at a latitude of 37.9640 and a longitude of 14.8840), and it had a hypocenter that was 35 kilometres away. The second earthquake, measuring 3.1 on the Richter scale, was reported at 19:19:17, which is located 3 kilometres west of Floresta (at latitude 37.9839 and longitude 14.8730). The depth of this quake was 39 kilometres. The third earthquake, which had a magnitude of 3.7 and a hypocenter 45 kilometres away, occurred at 19:19:24, four kilometres north of Floresta (at latitude 38.0140 and longitude 14.9100). Finally, at 19:22:22, a final aftershock with a magnitude of 2.3 was reported 4 kilometres southwest of Floresta (at a depth of 39 kilometres). The coordinates of this aftershock were 37.9570 and 14.8910 respectively.
Because of their relatively shallow depths, all of the earthquakes that were part of the earthquake swarm that swept over the area could be felt to a great degree by the local population and in the nearby communities in relation to the numerous epicentres.
Various reports from social media
The cluster of earthquakes that struck Floresta’s territory had a particularly strong impact on the region. In point of fact, many users have filed reports on social media in order to relate what has occurred. However, at this time it is unknown whether individuals or property were harmed as a result of the earthquakes.
