  March 27 March 28 March 28 June 9 | |
| Local date | March 27, 1638 (1638-03-27) |
|---|---|
| Local time | 20:00 to 21:00 |
| Magnitude | Mw 6.8–7.1 (March 27) |
| Depth | 15 km (9 mi) |
| Epicenter | 38°38′N15°47′E / 38.64°N 15.78°E /38.64; 15.78 |
| Areas affected | Calabria,Kingdom of Naples (present-dayItaly) |
| Max. intensity | MMI XI (Extreme)[1] |
| Tsunami | Uncertain |
| Casualties | 9,581–30,000[1][2] |
A series ofmainshocks struckCalabria on March 27–28 and June 9, 1638. The first three earthquakes hadmoment magnitudes estimated to beMw 6.6–7.1.[3] On June 9, another mainshock estimated at Mw 6.7 struck the same region, causing further damage and casualties. The four earthquakes resulted in as many as 30,000 fatalities.
The region ofCalabria is located between theTyrrhenian andIonian Seas, where active extension is ongoing. Extension is accommodated by normal faults on the Tyrrhenian side in Calabria. The trend ofnormal faults extend southwards to theStrait of Messina, where they occur on the Ionian side inSicily. Known as theSiculo-Calabrian rift, this active geological feature is characterized by its high seismicity of earthquakes up to Mw 7.1.[2]
Historical documents suggests three large earthquakes occurred between March 27 and 28. The earthquake of March 27 occurred within the Crati Valley fault system, with the Piano Lago and Savuto–Decollatura faults as possible sources. The March 28earthquakes ruptured the Mesima fault system and Santa Eufemia–Feroleto fault. However, no proper studies have been undertaken to conclusively identify the faults responsible for the June earthquakes.[4]
The Lake Fault, which produced asurface rupture, was responsible for the June 9 earthquake, based on rich historical documentation andpaleoseismology. Thisnormal fault dips at an angle to the west and offsets the surface vertically. Two slightly weaker earthquakes struck the same region in 1832 and 1836.[4] The June 9 earthquake caused a large surface-fault rupture measuring 96.6 km (60.0 mi) long and 0.8 m (2 ft 7 in) tall. The fault rupture was visible, extending fromPetilia Policastro to Sila, near the eastern shore ofAmpollino Lake.[5]
Based on analysis of the first-hand documentation, historiography and literary works during the17th century, three mainshocks were identified: one on March 27 and two on March 28.[4] Italy'sNational Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology only identified two mainshocks in their catalogue.
| Location | Date | Time | Coordinates | Magnitude (Mw ) | Magnitude (Me ,INGV) | Intensity (MMI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savuto Valley | March 27 | 10:00 | 39°07′N16°16′E / 39.11°N 16.27°E /39.11; 16.27 | 6.8–7.1 | 7.0[6] | XI |
| Serre Calabresi | March 28 | "day" | 38°41′N16°14′E / 38.68°N 16.23°E /38.68; 16.23 | 6.6 | - | X |
| Santa Eufemia plain | March 28 | "day" | 38°58′N16°16′E / 38.96°N 16.26°E /38.96; 16.26 | 6.6 | - | XI |
| La Sila plateau | June 9 | "evening" | 39°13′N16°34′E / 39.22°N 16.57°E /39.22; 16.57 | 6.7 | 6.9[7] | X–XI |
The official number of deaths stood at 9,571, including 6,811 inCalabria Citeriore and 2,760 inCalabria Ulteriore. The total number of dead was likely higher as these figures did not account for the many deaths that occurred in the months following the first earthquake due to injuries and deprevation.[8]
On March 27, at 22:00, the first and most destructive earthquake struck with anepicenter in theSavuto Valle or near the upperCrati River. It reached a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity level of XI (Extreme) in the heavily populated communes ofMartirano,Rogliano,Santo Stefano di Rogliano,Grimaldi,Motta Santa Lucia,Marzi andCarpanzano. The earthquake destroyed much of the settlements in those towns. The town ofAmantea suffered total damage, while minor damage was reported atMaratea andReggio Calabria. According to Ettore Capecelatro, a jurist and official of theKingdom of Naples, more than 10,000 homes were destroyed, while another 3,000 were rendered unsafe for habitation.[9] Luca Cellesi, the bishop of theRoman Catholic Diocese of Martirano, was injured during the collapse of his castle in the town ofPedivigliano, where he reported that the population of his diocese fell from 12,000 to 6,500 after the quake.[10] InAiello Calabro, 408 homes were obliterated and 655 residents were killed. At least 116 inhabitants were killed inBelsito, 234 inGrimaldi, 495 inCarpanzano, 229 inConflenti, 173 inMalito, 532 in Motta Sta Lucia, 1,200 in Nicastro, 102 in Piane Crati, 216 in Sambiase, 451 in Scigliano Diano and 126 in Feroleto.[11] The town of Martirano was destroyed and 517 inhabitants were killed.[12]
Following the earthquake, the affected areas saw a decrease in population from migration. Many inhabitants of Motta Santa Lucia moved toDecollatura,[13] and residents ofPedivigliano andPittarella moved toSila.[14] Survivors from Scigliano and Carpanzano relocated to the Ionian coast and formed the communes ofMandatoriccio andSavelli.[15]
The two earthquakes on March 28 occurred in the southern tip of Calabria onPalm Sunday. One of the two shocks' epicenters was nearNicastro, where 3,000 people were killed. At least 600 of the total deaths in the city resulted from the collapse of a church. Many more residents were killed inLamezia Terme,Falerna,Feroleto Antico andSant'Eufemia Lamezia. The quake caused a destructivetsunami in theGulf of Saint Euphemia.[16] Damage at Sant'Eufemia Lamezia was so severe that the town was abandoned.
A second shock occurred in theSerre Calabresi, causingfissures to appear in the ground. Sulfur and flames were reported emanating from the newly formed fissures. The earthquake was particularly destructive inRosarno andMileto, while the town centers ofBorrello,Briatico andCastelmonardo was destroyed.[16]
The June 9 nighttime earthquake registered a magnitude of 6.7 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of X. It affected the region of Sila, where six villages were destroyed.[9] Extreme damage was reported inCatanzaro andCrotone, as well as in 13 other villages. It was preceded by two strong foreshocks in the early morning and afternoon, alerting many residents to stay outdoors. Despite the severity of damage, only 52 people were killed.[17]
Shortly after the March earthquakes,Ettore Capecelatro, an official from the Kingdom of Naples was ordered to survey the damaged area. He returned to Naples in May. His survey became the basis for the government's decision on distributing aid and assistance. The Neapolitan court wanted to reduce revenue loss by rebuilding production and creating new business opportunities. Villages and towns where property were destroyed or had people killed were completely exempted from paying tax for five years. There were a total of 36 villages given the five-year tax relief. Forty-five villages which were categorised as "damaged but not destroyed" were given one year of tax relief. Several villages made appeals for their tax exemption re-evaluated after the June earthquake.[8]
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