Frequently Asked Question #12:
Q: I've heard that Italy has lots of earthquakes - is this true?
A: The frequency of earthquakes varies from region to region. Based on the frequency and intensity of past earthquakes, 45% of the land area of Italy is at risk. This 45% of the country is divided up into 3 earthquake zones: Category 1 (red) is the most severe, and Category 3 (yellow) the least severe zone of seismic activity:
Source: compilation of data published by the Istituto Nazionale di
Geofisica e Vulcanlogia (National Institute of Geophysics and
Vulcanology)
Note that nearly all of La Marche and Umbria, and over half of Tuscany lie within one of these earthquake zones. In fact, 40% of the Italian population live in them.
Note also that apart from a small mountainous region in the west of the province, all of Piedmont lies outside the 'at risk' zone.
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