Northern Italy — Series of Earthquakes

2 moderate earthquakes are shaking Northern Italy – slight damage in Parma reported

January 25, 2012 By 

Earthquake overview : A moderate but shallow and thus moderately dangerous earthquake occurred only 13 km from Parma, Italy.

Minor damage (fallen stones, objects etc)

Update 13:39 UTC : This experience report just arrived in our website, it gives a good description of what happened when the earthquake occurred :

We were at school, everything normal until I felt a light shake. I was the first in class to feel it So I backed up my chair but felt nothing anymore, then, a few seconds later (10 seconds) there was a bigger one and everyone immediately went under their desk. Then the teacher cried; ‘no time for that! Get out quick!’ so we got out and went to hallways. Shortly after, there was the alarm therefore everybody quickly went down the stairs to go outside. There were little 4-year-old girls crying and policemen going in the building. We stayed there for 1hour+ until parents came to get us.
ER comment : This teacher should know that what he ordered could make victims. The first pupils action was by far the best (look for cover under desks when the shaking starts). More people are being killed by falling objects than bu collapsed houses. Only evacuate when the shaking stops. This is an advice of almost all of the Preparedness Agencies in the world.

Update 10:43 UTC : INGV, the Italian  local seismological service has reported a magnitude of 4.9. The earthquakes epicenter was located in the valley of the River Po, one of the Italian main rivers. As far as we could follow up the present reporting NO signs yet of any serious damage or injuries although it is too soon to make a final balance.

Update : Max. reported shaking at USGS is a V to VI MMI (moderate to strong shaking). Minor injuries from falling objects like tiles, stones etc cannot be excluded.

Update : experience report just in from Parma says : it lasted about 30-40 seconds.  strong shaking. things falling off of shelves and walls.  pictures broken.

Update : schools in and around Parma have been evacuated

Update : The actual epicenter of this earthquake has been located near the villages of Lentigione, Corte Godi and Enzano.

Update : local reports are mentioning some collapsed chimneys and a lot of panic in the streets of Parm. Also reports of rubble in the streets of Parma

For aftershocks click here and refresh the page regularly

A first weaker 4.1 magnitude earthquake shook Northern Italy at 00:54 local time. It was experienced by a lot of people as a light to weak shaking. The epicenter of this earthquake was close to Verona.

Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : 5.1
UTC Time : Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 08:06:35 UTC
Local time at epicenter :  Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 09:06:35 AM at epicenter
Depth (Hypocenter) : 10.2 km
Geo-location(s) :
13 km (8 miles) NE of Parma, Italy
75 km (46 miles) SSW of Verona, Italy

to read more and for updates, go to:    http://earthquake-report.com/2012/01/25/2-moderate-earthquakes-are-shaking-northern-italy-slight-damage-in-parma-reported/