Today in Earthquake History

Today's Earthquake Fact:
An earthquake is caused by the shaking of the ground due to an abrupt shift of rock along a fracture in the Earth, called a fault. Within seconds, an earthquake releases stress that has slowly accumulated within the rock, sometimes over hundreds of years. Most earthquakes are caused by slow movements deep in the Earth that push against the Earth's brittle, relatively thin outer layer, causing the rocks to break suddenly.

Year at a Glance

February

Note: All earthquake dates are UTC, not local time.

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Year	Location	Magnitude	Comment

1780	Northwest Florida		One of the largest historical earthquakes in Florida. Intensity VI. Regimentals and arms racks fell from walls in many barracks; everything in the rooms was moved; doors were sprung. Chimneys were thrown together causing fires. Neighboring houses clashed together, and people buried in the ruins cried for help. This event occurred during a "fearful" storm that was accompanied by violent thunder and lightning and raging seas. Possibly a hurricane.

1916	South of Rat Islands, Alaska	7.7	One of the Largest Earthquakes in the United States.

1964	Chirikof Islands, Alaska	7.0	One of the Largest Earthquakes in the United States.

1971	Central Italy	4.5	This earthquake occurred near Tuscania, Italy. It left 20 dead, over 100 injured, and about 5,000 homeless. It was reported that the medieval section of Tuscania, a city of 8,000, located 50 miles northwest of Rome, was practically leveled, and 60 percent of the city's buildings destroyed. Among those structures sustaining serious damage were the 8th century St. Peter's Church and the 12th century Basilica of St. Mary Major, both recently restored. The heavy damage sustained was due to the shallow depth of the earthquake and poorly constructed buildings. From Earthquake Information Bulletin, Volume 3, Number 3.

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