| 1805 Molise earthquake | |
| Pre-1900: | yes |
| Magnitude: | 6.6 |
| Location: | 41.5°N 14.467°W |
| Countries Affected: | Molise, Campania, Kingdom of Naples |
| Casualties: | 5,573 |
The 1805 Molise earthquake occurred on 26 July at 21:01 UTC. It has an estimated magnitude of 6.6 on the equivalent magnitude scale (Me) (calculated from seismic intensity data) and a maximum perceived intensity of X on the Mercalli intensity scale.[1] The area of greatest damage was between the towns of Isernia and Campobasso, while the area of intense damage extended over about 2,000 square kilometres.[2] There were an estimated 5,573 deaths resulting from this earthquake and two of the aftershocks.[2]
The Southern Apennines originated as northeast moving fold and thrust belt. Since the Middle Pleistocene, the tectonics has been dominated by extension. The axial part of the Apennines is the most seismically active, with a series of damaging historical earthquakes up to about 7 in magnitude. The major normal fault in the epicentral area of the 1805 event is the Bojano fault system.[3]
The earthquake was a result of movement on the NW–SE trending Bojano fault system. A surface rupture of 40 km has been attributed to this event, with a maximum displacement of 150 cm.[3] The mainshock was preceded by a series of low intensity foreshocks throughout the previous day. The aftershock sequence continued until the following June.[1]
| Place | Intensity | Population | Dead | Injured | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baranello | X | 2420 | 296 | 204 | Town completely destroyed | |
| Cantalupo nel Sannio | X | 2000 | 220 | 42 | Nearly complete destruction of the town | |
| Carpinone | X | 2240 | 50 | 49 | Nearly complete destruction of the town | |
| Castelpagano | X | 2100 | 159 | 18 | Only three houses left standing | |
| Frosolone | X | 3800 | 1000 | 46 | Town completely destroyed | |
| Guardiaregia | X | 2000 | 202 | 40 | Nearly complete destruction of the town | |
| San Massimo | X | 1280 | 41 | 54 | Nearly complete destruction of the town | |
| San Polomatese | X | 1000 | 128 | 20 | The few remaining houses were uninhabitable | |
| Casalciprano | IX–X | 1300 | 186 | 30 | Nearly complete destruction of the town | |
| Castelpetroso | IX–X | 2000 | 57 | 40 | Many houses collapsed, the rest were badly damaged | |
| Gildone | IX–X | 2200 | 26 | ? | More than half the houses were destroyed and many others had to be demolished | |
| Isernia | IX–X | 4970 | 1000 | 50 | Only a tenth of the houses were left standing, although badly damaged | |
| Mirabello Sannitico | IX–X | 2000 | 359 | 31 | The baronial palace was destroyed | |
| Pesche | IX–X | 1500 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Sant’Angelo in Grotte | IX–X | 1100 | 64 | 100 | Two churches were destroyed, a third was damaged | |
| Sassinoro | IX–X | 1500 | 59 | 75 | The few remaining houses were uninhabitable | |
| Spinete | IX–X | 2400 | 300 | 19 | The chapel of San Giovanni was badly damaged | |
| Toro | IX–X | 2400 | 274 | 88 | Only seven houses left standing | |
| Vinchiaturo | IX–X | 3000 | 305 | 214 | Nearly complete destruction of the town | |
| Bojano | IX | 2550 | 124 | ? | Larger buildings were particularly badly affected, including the Bishop's Palace, the Cathedral, the Monastery and 12 churches | |
| Cameli | IX | 1500 | 55 | 25 | Nearly complete destruction of the town | |
| Campobasso | IX | 5700 | 39 | 60 | The prison was so damaged as to be unusable | |
| Colle d'Anchise | IX | 1200 | 50 | 30 | Nearly half of the village was destroyed | |
| Macchiagodena | IX | 2000 | 193 | 11 | ||
| San Giuliano del Sannio | IX | 2000 | 92 | 90 | ||
| Sepino | IX | 3400 | 63 | 40 | The cathedral collapsed | |
| Sessano del Molise | IX | 1500 | 9 | 4 | ||
| Arpaia | VIII–IX | 987 | 11 | ? | 32 buildings collapsed | |
| Busso | VIII–IX | 1500 | 70 | 83 | The hilly parts of the town suffered the most damage | |
| Campodipietra | VIII–IX | 11 | 50 | Half the town was badly damaged | ||
| Civita | VIII–IX | 900 | 36 | |||
| Colle Sannita | VIII–IX | 4000 | 44 | |||
| Jelsi | VIII–IX | 207 | 27 | |||
| Reino | VIII–IX | 800 | 2 | 18 houses collapsed | ||
| Ripalimosani | VIII–IX | 3500 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Torella del Sannio | VIII–IX | 1300 | 6 | 12 | ||
| Vitulano | VIII–IX | 6433 | 4 | |||
| Agnone | VIII | 4000 | 9 | |||
| Avellino | VIII | 10194 | 11 | 4 | ||
| Civitavecchia | VIII | 1150 | 2 | |||
| Fossaceca | VIII | 2500 | 12 | 6 | ||
| Macchia d'Isernia | VIII | 684 | 2 | |||
| Monteroduni | VIII | 1600 | 5 | 1 | ||
| Morcone | VIII | 7 | ||||
| San Martino Sannita | VIII | 3156 | 5 | 13 houses collapsed | ||
| Santa Maria Capua Vetere | VIII | 80 | 80 soldiers died when the cavalry barracks collapsed | |||
| Serino | VIII | 8000 | 4 | |||
| Torrecuso | VIII | 2900 | 1 |
The official number of recorded deaths is given as 5,573, representing nearly 3% of the area's inhabitants, with a further 1,583 injured.[1] Other estimates of the death toll are in the range 4,000 to 6,000.[3]
The most affected area lay within the then Kingdom of Naples. The king, Ferdinand IV, took control of the response to this disaster. He sent Gabriele Giannocoli, a tax lawyer, to visit those areas of the countryside that has suffered the most, to evaluate the situation and to do what needed to be done. He was given considerable powers, together with the financial means, to allow him to carry out his task. He concentrated on visiting the most damaged areas, relying on reports from other officials in less affected parts. At his request, soldiers were sent to restore order and to prevent looting in some areas. Only properties in a dangerous state were repaired or demolished. Temporary shelters were provided for the homeless and huts for use as hospitals. Taxes were suspended by the king for all of the countryside around Molise in August.[1]