Strong earthquake in Potenza: schools closed and trains stopped

A strong earthquake of magnitude 4.2, with a depth of 14 km, was recorded by the INGV at 10:01 in the Potenza area and precisely in Vaglio Basilicata.

IThe mayor of Potenza has closed all schools as a precaution. Rail traffic has been suspended pending technicians' checks on any damage along the route.

Following the seismic event recorded, the Italian Situation Room of the Department of Civil Protection, as stated in a press release, "contacted the local structures of the National Civil Protection Service. From the first checks carried out, no damage to people or things would appear following the event".

The depth of 14 km attenuated the power of the earthquake

“Given the depth at which the magnitude 4.2 earthquake occurred, equal to about 14 kilometers, the seismic waves had time to attenuate before reaching the surface, and therefore the acceleration of the ground was not particularly high and no damage was reported,” explained Lucia Margheriti, director of the National Earthquake Observatory of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology.

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“We are in an area with high seismic risk, but earthquakes in this area – he observes – usually occur at a similar depth, unlike what happens, for example, in the Campi Flegrei area, where earthquakes are extremely superficial and therefore their impact is much stronger”.

The shock at 10,01:6 a.m., located in the municipality of Vaglio Basilicata 2.2 kilometers northeast of Potenza, was followed by another event of lesser intensity: a shock of magnitude 10,38 recorded at 5:XNUMX a.m., XNUMX kilometers northeast of Potenza. “We will see how the situation evolves,” says Margheriti.

According to available historical data, the epicenter of today's earthquake is very close to that of the earthquake that occurred on December 18, 1273, with an estimated magnitude of about 5.8. "In the most recent seismicity - continues the director of the INGV Observatory - the two most important shocks were those of May 1990, of magnitude 5.8, and May 1991, equal to 5.2".

As Margheriti points out, in this area earthquakes are usually characterized by transcurrent tectonics: there are therefore horizontal movements, with a part of the crust that lowers. For today's event, however, the mechanism is still to be ascertained.

Mayor Potenza closes schools

The mayor of Potenza, Vincenzo Telesca, has issued an ordinance for the suspension of teaching activities in all schools of all levels, except the University, for today, following the earthquake of magnitude 4.2 that occurred this morning at 10. The Municipal Operations Center of Potenza has been activated with the Civil Protection Operations Room.

At the moment, the Municipality reports, no reports of damage to people or things have been communicated. The mayor is in constant contact with the regional Civil Protection, with the head of the municipal Civil Protection Giuseppe Brindisi, with the police and other institutions to stay up to date on the situation. EFS CRO 18 MAR 2025

Prefect Potenza, no damage but checks underway

“At the moment, no particular situations have been reported to us and we have no reports of damage”. This is what the prefect of Potenza, Michele Campanaro, told journalists regarding the earthquake of magnitude 4.2 recorded at 10.01:XNUMX, with epicentre in Vaglio Basilicata (Potenza), a few kilometres from the Lucanian capital. “We immediately arranged an initial reconnaissance with the provincial command of the Fire Brigade and with the police forces. In particular, the Fire Brigade will carry out all the clean-ups and inspection interventions to verify that there is no damage”, he concluded.

Railway traffic suspended

Rail traffic “has been temporarily and precautionarily blocked between Tito and Potenza”, in the area where the earthquake was most felt. This is what is written on the Basilicata Region website, where it is also highlighted that “Intercity and regional trains may experience delays and be subject to cancellations or route limitations”.

"The shock was distinctly felt by the population in various areas of Basilicata, including the city of Potenza and the surrounding municipalities. Numerous reports have been received from citizens who felt the earthquake; however, at the moment, no significant damage to buildings or injuries have been recorded. The regional Civil Protection is monitoring the situation to verify any critical issues and guarantee the safety of the population".