A seismic event recorded by INGV
On December 9, 2024, at 11:41 AM local time, a magnitude Mw 3.8 earthquake was recorded near the Italy-France border. The epicenter was pinpointed at 44.5130, 6.8540, with a depth of 10 km, according to data from the INGV Seismic Monitoring Center in Rome.
The earthquake was felt in various nearby locations, including major Italian cities:
- Cuneo, 57 km from the epicenter (population: 56,081).
- Moncalieri, 85 km away (population: 57,294).
- Turin, 90 km, a significant urban center with 890,529 inhabitants.
Impact on nearby municipalities
The tremor also affected several small municipalities within a 20 km radius of the epicenter, including:
- Acceglio (12 km, 162 residents).
- Bellino (15 km, 109 residents).
- Prazzo (16 km, 170 residents).
- Casteldelfino (19 km, 157 residents).
These towns are situated in the Cottian Alps, a mountainous area where seismic monitoring plays a crucial role in ensuring public safety.
Monitoring and prevention
The INGV’s real-time seismic monitoring ensures prompt analysis of such events. Although the magnitude was moderate, the shallow depth of this quake underlines the need for effective seismic prevention measures, especially in geologically active regions.
