The crustal plates that long ago formed Italy's Apennine mountains are the same ones that caused part of the mountains to collapse. Compression between the African plate (yellow), the Anatolian plate (red) and the Eurasian plate (gray) originally pushed the mountains into the air, much like a carpet being pushed from the side on a wooden floor. Now, however, the western side of those mountains is sliding away as the plate shifts and gravity pulls down. The collapse of these mountains in the earthquake sent tremors and aftershocks that were felt as far away as Naples.
![[Map of tectonic plates and fault lines around Italy]](italy_earthquake_570.jpg)
A powerful earthquake in mountainous central Italy knocked down whole blocks of buildings as residents slept, leaving at least 50,000 homeless and about 1,500 injured. Some 10,000 to 15,000 buildings were either damaged or destroyed, and rescuers are working feverishly to reach people trapped in fallen buildings. (Apr. 6, 2009)
The volcanic system that powers the geysers, mud pots and steam vents at Yellowstone National Park has shaken the ground more than 400 times in the past eight days. The quakes have scientists scratching their heads and sleep-deprived park rangers hoping for relief. (Jan. 3, 2009)
Researchers have spent the past four years poring over data from the Indian Ocean trying to find out if and when more giant quakes like the one that created the 2004 tsunami are likely. New techniques now suggest they are, within the next few decades. (Dec. 12, 2008)
