Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia

Earthquake with magnitude of ML 3.0 on date 23-12-2009 and time 14:27:40 (UTC) in region 8 km SE Maletto (CT)

A magnitude ML 3.0 earthquake occured in region: 8 km SE Maletto (CT), on

  • 23-12-2009 14:27:40 (UTC)
  • 23-12-2009 15:27:40 (UTC +01:00) Italian time

and geographic coordinates (lat, lon) 37.7830, 14.9360 at 28 km depth.

The earthquake was located by: Bollettino Sismico Italiano INGV.

Search earthquakes: Any within 30 km radius

The values of hypocentral coordinates and magnitude may be revised at a later time as more information becomes available.

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Did you feel it? Fill in the questionnaire.

Municipalities within 20 km from the epicenter

Distances are determinated based on the geographic coordintes of the (Istat).
Municipality Region Dist Inh Cum Inh
Maletto CT 8 3920 3920
Bronte CT 9 19172 23092
Randazzo CT 11 10900 33992
Maniace CT 14 3765 37757
Santa Domenica Vittoria ME 15 980 38737
Adrano CT 16 36122 74859
Moio Alcantara ME 17 717 75576
Biancavilla CT 17 24007 99583
Ragalna CT 17 3924 103507
Milo CT 17 1087 104594
Zafferana Etnea CT 18 9517 114111
Roccella Valdemone ME 18 666 114777
Malvagna ME 19 733 115510
Sant'Alfio CT 19 1582 117092
Santa Maria di Licodia CT 19 7641 124733
Linguaglossa CT 20 5403 130136
Castiglione di Sicilia CT 20 3215 133351

Municipalities with at least 50000 inhabitants

An earthquake occurred to
28 Km NW of Acireale (52622 inhabitants)
34 Km NW of Catania (314555 inhabitants)
71 Km SW of Messina (238439 inhabitants)
72 Km SW of Reggio di Calabria (183035 inhabitants)
83 Km E of Caltanissetta (63360 inhabitants)
86 Km NW of Siracusa (122291 inhabitants)
97 Km N of Ragusa (73313 inhabitants)
99 Km NE of Vittoria (63339 inhabitants)
100 Km NE of Gela (75827 inhabitants)
Recent and historical seismicity

These maps show the seismic activity in different time intervals, before the seismic event to which they refer. Data reported in the first two maps come from the analysis carried out in real time by the personnel of the INGV Operating Rooms, immediately after each earthquake. The third map shows data from 1985 to the date of the earthquake: the locations are reviewed by the seismological analysts of the INGV Italian Seismic Bulletin (Bollettino Sismico Italiano dell’INGV). The localization parameters (hypocentral coordinates and magnitude) are the best possible estimate with the data available to the INGV, but are constantly updated according to further data that become available. The location and magnitude parameters, subsequently reviewed by seismological analysts, may vary.

Earthquakes of the 3 days preceding this event

Earthquakes of the 3 days preceding this event

This map shows the earthquake epicenters with magnitude ≥ 0.0, localized with data recorded by the National Seismic Network and other collaborative networks both in Italy and in neighboring countries, in the 72 hours preceding this event. The size of the circle indicates the different classes of magnitude. The colors indicate the different time intervals preceding the seismic event. The black and white star is the epicenter of the current earthquake.
Earthquakes of the 90 days preceding this event

Earthquakes of the 90 days preceding this event

This map shows the earthquake epicenters with magnitude ≥ 2.0, localized with data recorded by the National Seismic Network and other collaborative networks both in Italy and in neighboring countries, in the 90 days preceding this event. The size of the circle indicates the different classes of magnitude. The colors indicate the different time intervals preceding the seismic event. The black and white star is the epicenter of the current earthquake.
Earthquakes from 1985 to the date of the event

Earthquakes from 1985 to the date of the event

This map shows the earthquake epicenters with magnitude ≥ 3.0, localized with data recorded by the National Seismic Network and other collaborative networks both in Italy and in neighboring countries, from 1985 to the date of this event. The size of the circle indicates the different classes of magnitude. The colors indicate the different time intervals preceding the seismic event. The black and white star is the epicenter of the current earthquake.
Earthquakes since 1000 AD until 2019

Earthquakes since 1000 AD until 2019

This map shows the epicenters of the historical earthquakes catalogue CPT15 (Catalogo Parametrico dei Terremoti Italiani, 2015 version 3.0, https://doi.org/10.13127/cpti/cpti15.3) since 1000 AD until 2019. The size of the square indicates the different classes of magnitude. For earthquakes with magnitude ≥ 6.0, it is also shown the year of occurrence and the magnitude value. The black and white star is the epicenter of the current earthquake.
Seismic hazard

Seismic hazard maps provide probabilistic estimates of the earthquake ground shaking exceeding a given threshold in a given geographic region within a given time window. Thus, it is not a deterministic prediction - a target that may be never reached given the complexity of the earthquake physical phenomenon - nor of the maximum expected earthquake since this has extremely low probabilities to occur.

In 2004, it was published the seismic hazard map of Italy (http://zonesismiche.mi.ingv.it) that provides a picture of the most hazardous geographic regions. The seismic hazard map of Italy (GdL MPS, 2004; rif. Ordinanza PCM del 28 aprile 2006, n. 3519, All. 1b) provides the 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years of the horizontal acceleration at rock sites (i.e., Vs30>800 m/s; cat. A, 3.2.1 of the D.M. 14.09.2005).

The colours indicate the various values of the ground acceleration that have 10% to be exceeded within 50 years. In general, the colours associated to low values of acceleration refer to areas that are less hazardous and stronger earthquakes repeat less frequently although they may still occur.

Seismic hazard map

Seismic hazard map

This map shows the seismic hazard map of Italy for the region where the earthquake occurred.
Shakemap

These three maps show the results of the analysis using the software ShakeMap designed to provide the level of ground shaking experienced in a region using the data recorded by seismometers and strong motion instruments and seismological information regarding the attenuation of the wavefield with distance and the site characteristics. The Shakemaps are determined for research purposes to provide fast estimates of the level of ground shaking produced by the earthquake. The maps are calculated automatically and updated as more data become available. See http://shakemap.ingv.it for additional information. The black star indicates the epicenter. The triangles show the accelerometric and velocimetric stations used in the calculation, colored according to the recorded shaking.

Intensity Shakemap

Intensity Shakemap

This map shows the distribution of instrumental intensities. The intensity is derived through an empirical law that correlates the recorded values of actual ground shaking, e.g., acceleration and velocity, with the macroseismic intensity for Italian earthquakes, as reported in the Italian Macroseismic Database (DBMI15, https://doi.org/10.13127/cpti/cpti15.3).
Peak ground acceleration Shakemap

Peak ground acceleration Shakemap

This map shows the distribution of peak ground acceleration expressed as percent of the acceleration of gravity (i.e., g = 9.81 m/s²).
Peak velocity Shakemap

Peak velocity Shakemap

This map shows the distribution of peak ground velocities expressed in cm/s.
Felt maps
Preliminary map of the earthquake effects from the web questionnaire

Preliminary map of the earthquake effects from the web questionnaire

This map shows the distribution of earthquake resentment in the area, expressed in terms of intensity on the MCS scale (Mercalli-Cancani-Sieberg). Intensities are determined using data from questionnaires collected on the website http://www.hsit.it. The intensities shown are determined considering all the reports received from each municipality, and are all the more reliable the greater the number of questionnaires. The collected data are subjected to an automatic statistical filter, but are not checked individually. In particular, intensities greater than or equal to the VI degree of the MCS or EMS scale require on-site verification by specialized personnel. The black star is the epicenter of the earthquake that occurred. This map is updated every time citizens fill out new questionnaires. The number of questionnaires processed to obtain this map, the date and time of the last update are shown at the top right.
Locations history
Type Magnitude Date and Time (UTC) Latitude Longitude Depth (km) Published time (UTC) Author Location ID
Bulletin
Rev1000 		ML 3.0 2009-12-23
14:27:40		 37.783 14.936 28 2014-10-21
12:27:13		 Bollettino Sismico Italiano INGV 1001359
Preferred location and magnitude until now.
Origin information

Origin

Field Value
Time (UTC) 2009-12-23 14:27:40 ± 0.15
Latitude 37.7830 ± 0.0063
Longitude 14.9360 ± 0.0102
Depth (km) 28 ± 2 (from location)
Evaluation mode of Origin manual
Evaluation status of Origin reviewed
Version 1000 -> BULLETIN-SISPICK
Event type earthquake
Origin ID 1001359

Uncertainty

Field Value
Preferred uncertainty description uncertainty ellipse
Semi-major axis of confidence ellipse (meter) 943
Semi-minor axis of confidence ellipse (meter) 281
Azimuth of major axis of confidence ellipse. Measured clockwise from South-North direction at epicenter (gradi) 288
Circular confidence region, given by single value of horizontal uncertainty (meter) 1140.2
Confidence level of the uncertainty (%) 68

Quality

Field Value
Largest azimuthal gap in station distribution as seen from epicenter (degree) 78
Number of associated phases, regardless of their use for origin computation 43
Number of defining phases 35
RMS of the travel time residuals of the arrivals used for the origin computation (sec) 0.64
Epicentral distance of station closest to the epicenter (degree) 0.00000
Epicentral distance of station farthest from the epicenter (degree) 1.35618
Number of stations at which the event was observed 29
Number of stations from which data was used for origin computation 22
Magnitude information

ML:3.0

Field Value
Value 3.0
Uncertainty 0.3
Num. used stations
Type of magnitude ML
Reference to an origin 1001359
Agency INGV
Autore Bollettino Sismico Italiano INGV
Time of creation (UTC) 2013-01-05 19:11:27
Picking and Arrival
SCNL Time Uncertainty Polarity Evaluation_mode Phase Azimuth Distance(km) Takeoff_angle Residual Weight
IV.NRCA.SHZ. 2009-12-23T14:28:43.56 10.0 undecidable manual Sg 0 0 0
IV.MOCO.HHE. 2009-12-23T14:28:34.38 10.0 undecidable manual Pg 0 0 0
IV.GRI.EHN. 2009-12-23T14:28:29.29 10.0 undecidable manual Pg 0 0 0
IV.CORL.HHE. 2009-12-23T14:28:26.34 10.0 undecidable manual Pg 0 0 0
IV.ALJA.HHN. 2009-12-23T14:28:16.92 10.0 undecidable manual Pg 0 0 0
IV.STR4.BHE. 2009-12-23T14:28:13.60 10.0 undecidable manual Pg 0 0 0
IV.HAVL.HHN. 2009-12-23T14:28:08.53 0.3 undecidable manual Sg 170 92.8404 0.139 66
IV.PLAC.HHE. 2009-12-23T14:28:05.92 0.3 undecidable manual Pg 60 150.5382 1.446 34
IV.PRMA.HHN. 2009-12-23T14:28:04.63 10.0 undecidable manual Pg 0 0 0
IV.MTTG.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:28:04.35 0.6 undecidable manual Sg 70 71.1732 1.573 26
IV.SSY.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:28:03.06 0.6 undecidable manual Sg 170 70.4739 0.464 43
IV.MSRU.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:28:03.84 0.6 undecidable manual Sg 43 73.0713 0.568 43
IV.HVZN.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:28:02.07 0.6 undecidable manual Sg 196 69.8745 -0.376 44
IV.ILLI.HHE. 2009-12-23T14:28:02.70 0.6 undecidable manual Sg 1 73.4709 -0.675 39
IV.NRCA.SHZ. 2009-12-23T14:28:01.36 10.0 undecidable manual Pg 0 0 0
IV.AGST.EHN. 2009-12-23T14:28:01.00 0.6 undecidable manual Sg 156 63.7917 0.1 47
IV.IVPL.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:28:01.74 0.6 undecidable manual Sg 3 65.8896 0.308 46
IV.HCRL.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:59.11 0.3 undecidable manual Sg 171 56.0994 0.139 71
IV.SOI.EHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:58.46 0.3 undecidable manual Pg 71 103.0191 0.249 64
IV.MPAZ.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:57.28 0.3 undecidable manual Pg 78 95.6376 0.182 66
MN.CEL.HHN. 2009-12-23T14:27:57.42 0.3 undecidable manual Pg 57 99.0231 -0.191 65
IV.IACL.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:56.39 0.3 undecidable manual Pg 329 97.4247 -0.976 50
IV.GIB.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:55.16 0.3 undecidable manual Pg 286 82.9503 -0.028 69
IV.HAVL.HHN. 2009-12-23T14:27:55.81 0.3 undecidable manual Pg 170 92.8404 -0.87 53
IV.RESU.HHN. 2009-12-23T14:27:55.85 0.6 undecidable manual Pg 259 78.6657 1.303 29
IV.ILLI.HHE. 2009-12-23T14:27:54.57 0.3 undecidable manual Pg 1 73.4709 0.789 57
IV.RAFF.HHN. 2009-12-23T14:27:54.94 0.3 undecidable manual Pg 219 80.1642 0.171 67
IV.CSLB.SHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:54.41 0.3 undecidable manual Pg 283 78.7656 -0.162 68
IV.GALF.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:54.37 0.6 undecidable manual Sg 256 33.4443 0.796 41
IV.MSRU.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:53.40 0.1 undecidable manual Pg 43 73.0713 -0.324 88
IV.ECNV.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:53.35 0.6 undecidable manual Sg 223 28.6491 0.793 41
IV.MTTG.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:53.42 0.1 undecidable manual Pg 70 71.1732 -0.016 94
IV.MMME.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:53.49 0.3 undecidable manual Sg 59 32.5452 0.104 76
IV.HVZN.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:53.01 0.3 undecidable manual Pg 196 69.8745 -0.234 68
IV.AGST.EHN. 2009-12-23T14:27:52.02 0.1 undecidable manual Pg 156 63.7917 -0.333 90
IV.IVPL.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:52.20 0.3 undecidable manual Pg 3 65.8896 -0.46 65
IV.SSY.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:52.91 0.3 undecidable manual Pg 170 70.4739 -0.421 66
IV.HCRL.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:50.93 0.1 undecidable manual Pg 171 56.0994 -0.309 92
IV.ESLN.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:49.16 0.6 undecidable manual Sg 161 10.4784 -0.468 47
IV.GALF.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:48.03 0.1 undecidable manual Pg 256 33.4443 -0.092 100
IV.ECNV.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:48.17 0.3 undecidable manual Pg 223 28.6491 0.636 66
IV.MMME.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:47.76 0.1 undecidable manual Pg 59 32.5452 -0.252 96
IV.ESLN.HHZ. 2009-12-23T14:27:45.52 0.1 undecidable manual Pg 161 10.4784 -0.325 98
TDMT - Time Domain Moment Tensor
Fault Plane solutions in the area
Fault Plane solutions

Fault Plane solutions

The map reports the fault plane solutions for earthquakes in the region from 1977 to the date of this event. Red moment tensors are determined using the Regional Centroid Moment Tensor technique (RCMT, http://www.bo.ingv.it/RCMT) applied for earthquakes with magnitude larger than 4.5 in the Euro-Mediterranenan area. Occasionally, when a station azimuthal coverage exists RCMTs can be obtained also for earthquakes with magnitude down to 4.0. The gray moment tensors are obtained with the Time Domain Moment Tensor method (TDMT, /tdmt). This technique is applied to earthquakes with magnitude ML greater than 3.2, when it is possible. The size of symbols scales with the calculated moment magnitude Mw.
Download
Type Description Link
QuakeML - small Event, Origin, FocalMechanism Download
QuakeML - full Event, Origin, FocalMechanism, Amplitude, Arrival, Pick, Station Magnitude Download
Waveforms Seismic signals in miniseed + resp format Download