AD 62 Pompeii earthquake
  | |
| Local date | 5 February 62 |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 5.2–6.1 |
| Epicentre | 40°42′N 14°30′E / 40.7°N 14.5°E[1] |
| Areas affected | Roman Empire, Campania |
| Max. intensity | MMI IX (Violent) – MMI X (Extreme) |
On 5 February AD 62, an earthquake of an estimated magnitude of between 5 and 6 and a maximum intensity of IX or X on the
Geological setting
The epicentre of the earthquake lies within a zone of active extensional faulting, but close to the southern flank of Vesuvius. Analysis of
Date
There is some uncertainty regarding the year of this earthquake. Seneca, who was writing soon after the event, describes the earthquake as occurring during the consulship of Memmius Regulus and L. Virginius Rufus, which would suggest the year was AD 63. In contrast Tacitus, who was writing some forty years later, describes it as occurring during the consulship of P. Marius Celsus and L.Asinius Gallus, which indicates AD 62. The page for this event in the online Catalogue of Strong Earthquakes in Italy (BC 461 – 1977) discusses this discrepancy and considers that AD 62 is the more likely date.[4]
Characteristics
The extent of damage has been used to estimate the magnitude of the earthquake. Estimates lie in the range from about 5 to 6.1.[5] The maximum felt intensity is estimated to have been in the range IX to X,[1][6] and the area of highest intensity was elongated roughly WNW–ESE.[6] Shaking was reported to have continued for several days,[7] presumably referring to a sequence of aftershocks. The focal depth is estimated to have been in the range 5–6 km.[8]
The earthquake is likely to have been a precursor to the renewed activity of Vesuvius in AD 79, following a long dormant period.[3]
Damage
The towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum both suffered major damage, with damage to some buildings also reported from Naples and Nuceria.[6] Seneca reported the death of a flock of 600 sheep that he attributed to the effects of poisonous gases.[7]
The
Aftermath
The damage caused by the mainshock and the subsequent series of tremors was at least partly repaired in both Pompeii and Herculaneum by the time of the AD 79 eruption. A pair of bas-reliefs, probably from the lararium in the house of Lucius Caecilius Iucundus in Pompeii, are interpreted as depicting the effects of the earthquake on structures including the Temple of Jupiter, the Aquarium of Caesar, and the Vesuvius Gate.[10]
The earthquake led Roman philosopher, statesman and dramatist Seneca the Younger to devote the sixth book of his Naturales quaestiones to the subject of earthquakes, describing the event of 5 February and giving the cause of earthquakes as the movement of air.[7]
See also
References
- ^ doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K. Retrieved 4 February 2021.)
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help - ^ "Magnitude 6.3 – CENTRAL ITALY 2009 April 06 01:32:42 UTC". USGS. 6 April 2009. Archived from the original on January 6, 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ .
- .
- .
- ^ .
- ^ a b c Seneca. Naturales quaestiones. Vol. VI De Terrae Motu. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
- ISBN 978-88-8265-199-2. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
- ISBN 0297645609.
- ISBN 978-0-415-26211-8. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
External links
- Page on the 62 Pompeii earthquake from the CFTI5 Catalogue of Strong Earthquakes in Italy (461 BC – 1997) and Mediterranean Area (760 B.C. – 1500) Guidoboni E., Ferrari G., Mariotti D., Comastri A., Tarabusi G., Sgattoni G., Valensise G. (2018) (in Italian)