Shallow M5.7 Earthquake hit in the Tirreno Sea near Palermo (Italy) on Friday Afternoon.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on October 23rd, 2026. Last updated October 24th, 2026.

In the Tirreno Sea 97 kilometer from Palermo, Italy, a shallow and significant MAG-5.7 earthquake occurred around noon of Friday October 23rd, 2026. Around 1.5 million people have been exposed to shaking.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the Tirreno Sea, 77 kilometers (48 mi) off the coast of Italy, 97 kilometer north-east of Palermo in Sicily. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Oct 23, 2026 12:19 (Rome Time) - Oct 23, 2026 10:19 Universal Time.
Location:	97 km NE of Palermo, Sicily, Italy. Coordinates 38°43'12"N 14°9'7"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.7 Detected by 80 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.035 .
Depth:	10 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	IV Light On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 1.5 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 1.5 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is V, which corresponds with moderate shaking and very light damage. Roughly 0 people are expected to be exposed to this level. The majority of people (roughly 1.5 million) live in an area exposed to level III, where weak shaking and probably no damage is expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of Italy .

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in Italy . Bagheria in Sicily, Italy is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 90 kilometer (56 mi) north-east of Bagheria. The intensity of shaking and damage in Bagheria is estimated to be around level III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (weak shaking, probably no damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Palermo is located 97 km to the southwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Naples is located 237 km to the north (intensity unknown, possibly low). Catania is located 158 km to the south-east (intensity unknown, possibly low).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is IV. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 9 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 9 people have reported shaking in 6 places, all within Italy.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Palermo, Sizilien, Italy: 4 people.
• Patti, Sizilien, Italy: 1 person.
• Capo dʿOrlando, Sizilien, Italy: 1 person.
• Licata, Sizilien, Italy: 1 person.
• Motta SantʿAnastasia, Sizilien, Italy: 1 person.
• Campofelice di Roccella, Sizilien, Italy: 1 person.

76 Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 76 smaller aftershocks were detected. Just 4 hrs after this main shock, an earthquake measuring MAG-5.2 was detected 16 km (10 mi) north-east of this earthquake.

In the days before this main shock, 13 smaller foreshocks were detected. A 4.9 magnitude earthquake hit 28 mins earlier nearby.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.

Earthquakes like this are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since June 1st, 2026, when a 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit 153 km (95 mi) further north-east. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years.

In total, 3 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.7 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 3 years.

Low tsunami risk

Based on early data it appears this earthquake was not strong enough (lower than MAG-6.5) to be likely to cause destructive tsunami's. However this earthquake appeared to have hit at a shallow depth under sea, so stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 24/10/26 07:28 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000u4bk
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20261023_0000151
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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