Natural disasters in Italy

Italy is also affected by natural disasters. Two previously recorded natural disasters in this area are:

The 2002 Molise earthquake was a magnitude 5.9 earthquake that hit the Italian regions of Molise and Puglia on October 31, 2002 at 10:32:58 (UTC). The depth of the earthquake was 10.0 km (6.2 miles). The most dramatic effect was the collapse of a school in the town of San Giuliano di Puglia, in which 26 of the 51 pupils died, together with one of their teachers. In particular, none of the 9 boys of the 4th class (born in 1996) survived.

Avellino eruption

The Avellino eruption of Mount Vesuvius occurred in the 2nd millennium BC and is estimated to VEI 6. It was Radiocarbon dated to 1660 BC (43 years), making it a possible candidate for the 1620s BC climatic disturbances. The Avellino eruption vent was apparently 2 km west of the current crater, and the eruption destroyed several Bronze Age settlements. The remarkably well-preserved remains of one were discovered in May 2001 near Nola by Italian archaeologists, with huts, pots, livestock and even the footprints of animals and people, as well as skeletons. The residents had hastily abandoned the village, leaving it to be buried under pumice and ash in much the same way that Pompeii was later preserved. The eruption was larger than the ones of 79 (VEI 5) and 1631 (VEI 4) with pyroclastic surge deposits distributed to the northwest of the vent, the surges travelling as far as 15 km from it, and lie in the area now occupied by Naples.

If you are in the area and need to contact the emrgency services you can call

Ambulance:118
Fire brigade:115
Police:112/ 113