EARTHQUAKE IN FRIULI, WHAT WE KNOW
- Earthquake. Shock of magnitude 4.5 on the Richter scale on March 27 at 10.19 pm, with epicenter in Socchieve, felt throughout the province of Udine and Pordenone.
- Effects. The earthquake caused moments of fear throughout Friuli. No injuries to people were reported. Inspections of abandoned buildings.
- Monitoring activities: The mayors and Civil Protection technicians are working to identify any damage. The firefighters are also carrying out inspections. In Socchieve no damage, confirmation comes from the mayor Coriglio Zanier.
- The strongest shock of the last 20 years. This is what the Ogs researchers who have been monitoring the situation in the last few hours say. A similar earthquake, same area, in 1794 (Here is the article and video)
«There was a lot of fear, the effect of the shock was felt beyond the regional borders. Now, having consulted the mayors, we are carrying out reconnaissance in the area. We have heard from some schools, some structures have failed and we need to understand what intervention to do. However, no one was affected and the situation is currently under control.”
These are the words of Riccardo Riccardi, councilor for civil protection of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the day after 4.5 magnitude earthquake which hit Friuli Venezia Giulia on Wednesday evening, March 27, at 10.19pm with its epicenter between the provinces of Pordenone and Udine. During the night, at 3.36 am, a second shock, the so-called aftershock, measuring 2.7 on the Richter scale (there were six in total) was recorded.
«Data processing tells us that we are in the settling phase after the first shock, there will be others, all smaller than yesterday’s. There is a very limited possibility – added Riccardi that there could be superior effects but it is very limited. We know the region in which we live, we must live with these situations by creating the conditions to guarantee order but above all the safety of people».
«We can tell citizens that it is not a new phenomenon, we know it. But we must avoid engaging in terrorism, we must now proceed in an orderly manner, without underestimating things. We are prepared to deal with these situations, the Civil Protection is ready and has proven itself to be so once again.”
Earthquake in Friuli, the point from the Civil Protection headquarters. Riccardi: “No one involved”
Most important shock of the last 20 years
The one with its epicenter in Socchieve was, according to the Ogs experts, the most important shock of the last 20 years. This was confirmed by Carla Barnaba, the researcher at the Seismological Research Centre, who brought back memories of another earthquake, that of 1794, in the same area, located in the area of the earthquake of the last few hours, with a depth of approximately 10-12 km.
The double measurement. In the past few hours, two magnitudes have been reported: 4.5 and 5. The difference, as experts explain, lies in the scale of recording of the telluric event.
The shaking is of the 5th Mercalli degree (to cause damage a shock reaching the 6th degree must be registered) while for the Richter scale, which measures the radiated energy, i.e. the energy released by the earthquake, it must be around 4.6.
«Since yesterday evening – confirms the researcher – the seismographs have recorded many aftershocks of instrumental magnitude, at 2.26 magnitude 2.6. All episodes of limited magnitude.”
Are other tremors of higher magnitude expected? “It wouldn’t be an exception,” adds Barnaba. «We can expect events similar to what happened in 1794 when a main shock in early June was followed, a month later, by another shock of comparable magnitude. The epicentre, even in that case, was the municipality of Socchieve, right next to Monte Rest”.
The mayors at work: pay attention to abandoned buildings
On the morning of Thursday 28 March the mayors of the most affected area will carry out a series of in-depth checks together with Civil Protection technicians to check for any damage.
Among others, Abandoned buildings that may have suffered problems will also be monitoredthe. It is feared that in addition to possible damage to the statics, problems may have occurred with the roofs, with the tiles for example, or with other parts and which could therefore be dangerous for the population.
The firefighters of the two provincial commands involved have not received any requests for intervention but are on alert to carry out any inspections upon notification from the institutions and citizens.
Shock felt throughout the region
TO Forni di Sopra there was no electricity for a few seconds. TO Villa Santinamunicipality six kilometers away from He simpered, as some residents say, «the walls of the houses and the furniture started to shake very strongly. They were very long seconds. Everyone looked out of their houses to see what had happened. We were very scared and we hope that no more tremors will return.”
Reports have arrived from Carnia to Udine passing through the Collinare and Codroipese area. No one reported damage to public or private buildings: numerous calls were made to the single emergency number 112 for information.
The shock was also clearly felt in Pordenonenot only in the mountain area close to the epicenter, but also in the capital, in Bassa and also in Trieste. The firefighters of the provincial command did not receive any rescue calls or requests for information.
A lot of fear, yes. TO Toppo di Travesio, as a resident testified, no damage occurred, but the scare was really great. Tam tam about the earthquake also through social media: heard from Andreis, Maniago, Aviano and down towards Cordenons, Fiume Veneto, Azzano Decimo.
