|
| Year |
Location |
Magnitude |
Comment |
|
| 1979 |
Central Italy
|
5.8 |
The earthquake was located about 110 kilometers
northeast of Rome. Five people were reported killed,
many were injured, and extensive damage occurred
in the vicinity of Norcia. Considerable damage
and injuries were reported in other parts
of the Umbria region.
|
The earthquake reportedly
nearly leveled the famous 16th century church
Santa Maria della Neve (St. Mary of the Snows).
Damage was also reported to the ancient Forum
in Rome. The quake was reportedly felt
strongly at the Vatican. The earthquake was felt over
a wide area of the Italian peninsula from Florence
in the north to Naples in the south. More than
300 aftershocks were recorded, some large enough
to cause additional damage in the epicentral area.
From Significant Earthquakes of the World 1979,
and Earthquake Information Bulletin, Volume 12, Number 2.
|
|
| 1985 |
Michoacan, Mexico
|
8.0 |
One of the world's deadliest earthquakes.
At least 9,500 people were
killed, about 30,000 were injured, more than 100,000 people were left homeless, and severe damage was caused in
parts of Mexico City and in several states of central Mexico.
|
|
According to some sources, the death toll from
this earthquake may be as high as 35,000. It is estimated that the quake seriously affected an area of
approximately 825,000 square kilometers, caused between 3 and 4 billion U.S. dollars of damage, and was felt by
almost 20 million people. Four hundred twelve buildings collapsed and another 3,124 were seriously damaged in
Mexico City. About 60 percent of the buildings were destroyed at Ciudad Guzman, Jalisco. Damage also occurred
in the states of Colima, Guerrero, Mexico, Michoacan, Morelos, parts of Veracruz and in other areas of Jalisco.
|
|
|
U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey