December 26, 2018 Earthquake: Catania, Sicily, Italy
A magnitude 5 earthquake struck Catania, Sicily, Italy on December 26, 2018 at 02:19:14 UTC, 1 km below the surface.
Map
Where it struck, with the other significant earthquakes within 200 km. Circles are sized and colored by magnitude; select one for its page.
The earthquake
- Date
- December 26, 2018
- Time
- 02:19:14 UTC
- Place
- Catania, Sicily, Italy
- Magnitude
- 5 (Mw)
- Focal depth
- 1 km (1 mi)
- Intensity
- 7 on the Modified Mercalli scale
- Tsunami
- None recorded
- Volcano
- The eruption it came with
- Epicenter
- 37.630° N, 15.100° E
- Country
- Italy
The toll
- Injuries
- 28
- Damage
- $115 million
- Houses destroyed
- 15
- Houses damaged
- Few (about 1 to 50)
Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.
What the record says
NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.
Injuries, collapses and damage, people in the street and so much fear of a shock last night of 4.8 on Etna, the most intense since the volcano resumed its eruptive activity three days ago. The quake occurred at 3:19 at a depth of only one kilometer. The collapses have affected about 15 private homes and even some churches: in the Maria Santissima del Carmelo in Pennisi, a hamlet of Acireale, the bell tower and the statue of Sant'Emidio, protector of earthquakes , have come down and Mother Church of Aci Sant'Antonio. The most affected areas are Zafferana Etnea, Acireale, Aci Sant'Antonio, Aci Catena, Aci Bonaccorsi and Santa Venerina. (reference #12317)
In comments to CataniaToday, Sicilian President Nello Musumeci said that seismic damage at this point is thought to amount to over 100 million although a comprehensive evaluation is necessary to properly calculate the total amount. (reference #12329)
At least 30 people injured and several buildings damaged at Catania. Giarre, Sizilien, Italy - CDI: 7; Viagrande, Sizilien, Italy - CDI: 7; SantʿAgata li Battiati, Sizilien, Italy - CDI: 7; Acireale, Sizilien, Italy - CDI: 6; Catania, Sizilien, Italy - CDI: 6 (reference #1053)
A state of emergency has been declared in Sicily following the Boxing Day earthquake that injured 28 and left 600 people homeless, according to Italian media. The seismic activity has calmed, following the 4.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Sicily at 3.19am (2.19 GMT) on 26 December and caused damage to homes and historic buildings. Older buildings in the towns of Santa Venerina and Zafferana Etnea were damaged, while a number of the regions's ancient churches also incurred damage, but were empty at the time of the quake, however. (reference #12330)
USD 115 million in total damages (reference #1250)
Other significant earthquakes nearby
Within 200 km, the deadliest first.
- December 28, 1908, Messina, Sicily, Calabria, Italy
- January 9, 1693, Sicily, Calabria, Catania, Italy
- January 11, 1693, Sicily, Calabria, Italy
- February 5, 1783, Tyrrhenian Calabria, Italy
- February 4, 1169, Siracusa (Syracuse), Calabria, Sicily, Italy
- 1137, Catania, Sicily, Italy
- August 6, 1757, Siracusa (Syracuse), Italy
- March 27, 1638, Cosenza,martirano, Nicastro, Calabria, Italy
- November 5, 1659, Panaija, Soriano, Polia, Italy
- February 6, 1783, Messina Straits, Italy
- 1086, Siracusa (Syracuse), Italy
- January 21, 1065, Catania,messina,milazzo,pale, Sicily, Italy
- September 8, 1905, Monteleone, Tropea, Monte Poro, Italy
- June 19, 1640, Badolato, Italy
- September 1, 1726, Palermo, Marsala, Mazzara, Italy
More
Significant earthquakes of 2018The 2000sEvery quake the USGS located in 2018Recent earthquakes near hereThis day in weather history
Sources
Significant earthquakes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI earthquake 10383.