1805 Molise earthquake

The 1805 Molise earthquake occurred on July 26 at 21:01 UTC. It has an estimated magnitude of 6.6 on the equivalent magnitude scale (Me) (calculated from seismic intensity data) and a maximum perceived intensity of X on the Mercalli intensity scale.[1] The area of greatest damage was between the towns of Isernia and Campobasso, while the area of intense damage extended over about 2,000 square kilometres.[2] There were an estimated 5,573 deaths resulting from this earthquake and two of the aftershocks.[2]

1805 Molise earthquake
Local dateJuly 26, 1805 (1805-07-26)
Magnitude6.6 Me
Epicenter41.5°N 14.467°E / 41.5; 14.467
Areas affectedMolise, Campania, Kingdom of Naples
Max. intensityX (Extreme)
Casualties5,573

Tectonic setting

The Southern Apennines originated as northeast moving fold and thrust belt. Since the Middle Pleistocene, the tectonics has been dominated by extension. The axial part of the Apennines is the most seismically active, with a series of damaging historical earthquakes up to about 7 in magnitude. The major normal fault in the epicentral area of the 1805 event is the Bojano fault system.[3]

Earthquake

The earthquake was a result of movement on the NW–SE trending Bojano fault system. A surface rupture of 40 km has been attributed to this event, with a maximum displacement of 150 cm.[3] The mainshock was preceded by a series of low intensity foreshocks throughout the previous day. The aftershock sequence continued until the following June.[1]

Damage
PlaceIntensityPopulationDeadInjuredComments
BaranelloX2420296204Town completely destroyed
Cantalupo nel SannioX200022042Nearly complete destruction of the town
CarpinoneX22405049Nearly complete destruction of the town
CastelpaganoX210015918Only three houses left standing
FrosoloneX3800100046Town completely destroyed
GuardiaregiaX200020240Nearly complete destruction of the town
San MassimoX12804154Nearly complete destruction of the town
San PolomateseX100012820The few remaining houses were uninhabitable
CasalcipranoIX-X130018630Nearly complete destruction of the town
CastelpetrosoIX-X20005740Many houses collapsed, the rest were badly damaged
GildoneIX-X220026?More than half the houses were destroyed and many others had to be demolished
IserniaIX-X4970100050Only a tenth of the houses were left standing, although badly damaged
Mirabello SanniticoIX-X200035931The baronial palace was destroyed
PescheIX-X150034
Sant’Angelo in GrotteIX-X110064100Two churches were destroyed, a third was damaged
SassinoroIX-X15005975The few remaining houses were uninhabitable
SpineteIX-X240030019The chapel of San Giovanni was badly damaged
ToroIX-X240027488Only seven houses left standing
VinchiaturoIX-X3000305214Nearly complete destruction of the town
BojanoIX2550124?Larger buildings were particularly badly affected, including the Bishop's Palace, the Cathedral, the Monastery and 12 churches
CameliIX15005525Nearly complete destruction of the town
CampobassoIX57003960The prison was so damaged as to be unusable
Colle d'AnchiseIX12005030Nearly half of the village was destroyed
MacchiagodenaIX200019311
San Giuliano del SannioIX20009290
SepinoIX34006340The cathedral collapsed
Sessano del MoliseIX150094
ArpaiaVIII-IX98711?32 buildings collapsed
BussoVIII-IX15007083The hilly parts of the town suffered the most damage
CampodipietraVIII-IX1150Half the town was badly damaged
CivitaVIII-IX90036
Colle SannitaVIII-IX400044
JelsiVIII-IX20727
ReinoVIII-IX800218 houses collapsed
RipalimosaniVIII-IX350022
Torella del SannioVIII-IX1300612
VitulanoVIII-IX64334
AgnoneVIII40009
AvellinoVIII10194114
CivitavecchiaVIII11502
FossacecaVIII2500126
Macchia d'IserniaVIII6842
MonteroduniVIII160051
MorconeVIII7
San Martino SannitaVIII3156513 houses collapsed
Santa Maria Capua VetereVIII8080 soldiers died when the cavalry barracks collapsed
SerinoVIII80004
TorrecusoVIII29001

The damage was particularly intense in the foothills of the Matese massif and the Bojano plain, with 30 towns and villages being severely affected. Damage was recorded as far away as Naples and Salerno.[1] Landslides and other slope failures were seen over an area of about 5,300 square kilometres.[3]

The official number of recorded deaths is given as 5,573, representing nearly 3% of the area's inhabitants, with a further 1,583 injured.[1] Other estimates of the death toll are in the range 4,000 to 6,000.[3]

Aftermath

Response

The most affected area lay within the then Kingdom of Naples. The king, Ferdinand IV, took control of the response to this disaster. He sent Gabriele Giannocoli, a tax lawyer, to visit those areas of the countryside that has suffered the most, to evaluate the situation and to do what needed to be done. He was given considerable powers, together with the financial means, to allow him to carry out his task. He concentrated on visiting the most damaged areas, relying on reports from other officials in less affected parts. At his request, soldiers were sent to restore order and to prevent looting in some areas. Only properties in a dangerous state were repaired or demolished. Temporary shelters were provided for the homeless and huts for use as hospitals. Taxes were suspended by the king for all of the countryside around Molise in August.[1]

See also

References
  1. "The Catalogue of Strong Italian Earthquakes describes this earthquake sequence under the following heading". Catalogue of strong earthquakes in Italy 461 B.C. — 1997 and Mediterranean area 760 B.C. — 1500. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  2. "The application of INQUA Scale to the 1805 Molise earthquake" (PDF). Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  3. Serva L.; Esposito E.; Guernieri L.; Porfido S.; Vittori E.; Comerci V. (2007). "Environmental effects from five historical earthquakes in southern Apennines (Italy) and macroseismic intensity assessment: Contribution to INQUA EEE Scale Project". Quaternary International. 173–174: 30–44. Bibcode:2007QuInt.173...30S. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2007.03.015.
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