M5.6 earthquake and series of aftershocks hit near the coast of Rimini, Italy

A shallow earthquake registered by the EMSC as M5.6 hit near the coast of Rimini, central Italy at 06:07 UTC on November 9, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). The USGS is reporting the same magnitude and depth.

The epicenter was located 22.5 km (14 miles) NE of Marotta (population 6 465), 25.1 km (15.6 miles) NNE of Senigallia (population 30 882), 25.5 km (15.8 miles) ENE of Fano (population 38 999), 31.6 km (19.6 miles) E of Pesaro (population 77 241), 40.4 km (25.1 miles) NNW of Ancona (population 89 994), Italy.

5 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking and 192 000 light.

The quake was followed by at least 10 aftershocks over the next 30 minutes. Magnitudes ranged from 2.4 to 4.

The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake-resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are rubble/field stone with mud and unreinforced brick with mud and timber post-construction.

Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google