February 6, 1783 Earthquake: Messina Straits, Italy

The second great earthquake occurred more than twelve

hours after the first, at 1.15 a.m. on Feb. 6. It affected an area so nearly the same as that of the first that no attempt has been made to trace its isoseismal lines. No new districts were damaged, but, at several places, such as Reggio and Messina, the ruins caused by the first were increased. At Messina, according to Torreani, the second earthquake was greater in the impetuosity and vigour of its shocks, and this observation lends support to Baratta's conclusion that the epicentral area of the second earthquake lay between Scilla and the Torre del Faro but nearer the latter and certainly beneath the sea.

Little more is known about this second earthquake. It was, however, remarkable for one result, rare even in the annals of earthquakes, namely, the inrush of a destructive seawave caused by a landslip along the coast. During the first earthquake, great masses of earth and stones had slipped down the rocky slopes near Scilla. Less than two hours after it, there was a further fall, of part of the mountain Monasina, and this led the people of Scilla to take refuge in boats or in tents along the coast.

About half an hour after the second earthquake, a great landslip occurred from M. Paci to the west of Scilla, along more than 1 1/4 miles of the coast. Falling into the sea for a hundred yards or more, the shattered mass formed three new points and covered an area of more than 10 acres.

With the rush of the landslip, the sea retired. A few seconds later, it returned, swept over the whole encampment on the shore, and readied the height of the first floors of houses at Scilla, sweeping inland for more than 200 yards. It then withdrew, carrying away the ruins of houses and 1,504 persons from the boats and tents. A second and third time, the wave flowed in, afterwards gradually lessening in force. The extent of coast covered by the waves was small. They were hardly sensible at Bagnara, 59 miles east of Scilla, and at Reggio no abnormal waves mere noticed. At Torre del Faro, the northern point of Sicily, the sea, however, invaded the coast and 20 persons, who were sheltering in small boats, were drowned. According to Sarconi, the wave was sensible at Messina, but caused no damage there. At Catania, the water was disturbed, though without any flooding of the coast.

(above from reference #516)