Earthquake In Central Italy

August 24, 2016 August 18, 2016 - Brenda Salazanger - Staff Writer

The USGS has confirmed to The Times of America, that an earthquake, magnitude 6.2 on the richter scale, struck Italy. The epicenter is located near the town of Rieti, Italy which is in the central part of the country. The epicenter is located a little more than fifty mile Northeast of Rome.

The USGS reports that this earthquake was very shallow at a depth of a little more than six miles. This is of particular concern because typically there is a significantly greater force than deeper quakes.

There have been aftershocks that have hampered rescue efforts. The largest quake was a magnitude 5.5 also with a depth of around 6 miles. There has also been 6 additional earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 4.0 to 4.6. All of these quakes were approximately six miles or shallower.

Many buildings and homes have been reported collapsed and destroyed and the damage is widespread to a number of cities.

Currently, there are 22 confirmed dead. There will be more information as it becomes available.