Calabrian Earthquake Strikes

Date: March 27, 1638 • Location: Conflenti, Italy

The first of four destructive earthquakes struck southern Italy, destroying an estimated 10,000 homes.

A series of mainshocks struck Calabria on March 27–28 and June 9, 1638. The first three earthquakes had moment magnitudes estimated to be Mw 6.6–7.1. 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.