  | |
| Magnitude | Mw 7.19–7.4 (December 5) Mw 7.0 (December 30) |
|---|---|
| Depth | 12–25 km (7.5–15.5 mi) |
| Epicenter | 41°18′07″N 14°42′40″E / 41.302°N 14.711°E |
| Areas affected | Kingdom of Naples |
| Max. intensity | MMI XI (Extreme) |
| Tsunami | Yes |
| Casualties | ≤70,000 dead |
On December 5, 1456, the largest earthquake to occur on the Italian Peninsula struck the Kingdom of Naples. The earthquake had an estimated moment magnitude of Mw 7.19–7.4, and was centred near the town of Pontelandolfo in the present-day Province of Benevento, southern Italy. Earning a level of XI (Extreme) on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale, the earthquake caused widespread destruction in central and southern Italy. Estimates of the death toll range greatly with as many as 70,000 deaths reported. It was followed by two strong Mw 7.0 and 6.0 earthquakes to the north on December 30. The earthquake sequence is considered the largest in Italian history, and one of the most studied.[1]