Climate and risks: the city of the 1908 earthquake
Reggio was struck by the earthquakes of 1562 and 1783 and nearly destroyed, together with Messina, by the magnitude 7.1 earthquake and tsunami of 28 December 1908, with about 80,000 victims in the area. That disaster gave rise to Italy's seismic classification and the first anti-seismic building rules. Climate data in the block.
Sections: Seasons · Rainfall · Temperatures · Air quality · Environmental hazards
1908
At 5:20 on 28 December 1908 a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck southern Calabria and eastern Sicily, over an area of about 6,000 km², while people were asleep; about ten minutes later a tsunami hit both coasts of the Strait. There were about 80,000 victims and the cities of Reggio Calabria and Messina were nearly destroyed. The tsunami also cut submarine cables, roads, railways and telegraph and telephone lines.
Buildings and rules
Civil Protection names poor foundation ground and poor construction quality among the causes of the collapses. After 1908 the State introduced the seismic classification of the territory and specific building rules, with a 1909 royal decree valid for the whole country. Even earlier the city had been damaged by the earthquakes of 1562 and 1783. Those taking a home should ask about the building's year of construction and any seismic upgrading work.
Missing: rain_days_year, air_pm10_days_over_limit
Data
Sources
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Reviewed: 10/23/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-10-13
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