Which earthquake struck L’Aquila, Italy, on 6 April 2009?

The 2009 L’Aquila earthquake struck Italy’s Abruzzo region on 6 April 2009.

The magnitude-6.3 earthquake occurred at 03:32 local time near L’Aquila, the regional capital. Its shallow focus and proximity to populated communities caused severe shaking and widespread structural damage.

More than 300 people were killed, over 1,500 were injured, and tens of thousands were temporarily displaced. Historic buildings, churches, and homes were damaged across L’Aquila and nearby towns.

The earthquake resulted from normal faulting in the central Apennines, where the Italian peninsula is undergoing extension. It is sometimes confused with other major Italian earthquakes, but its standard name refers specifically to L’Aquila and the surrounding 2009 seismic sequence.