Copyright©Stefano Morelli 2021
Stefano Morelli
Photgraphy | Virtual antrophology
Bassa Modenese, Italy.
In May 2012, two major earthquakes struck Northern Italy, causing 27 deaths and about 12 billion of widespread damage. Events are known in Italy as "2012 Emilia earthquakes", because they mainly affected the Emilia Romagna region.
Emilia Romagna was not included in seismic hazard maps until 2003, when, after a reassessment, it was classified as "medium risk", with a 10% likelihood of such an earthquake in the next 450 years.
Emilia-Romagna is one of the most industrialized regions in Italy. It is proud of being a world excellence in the production of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, balsamic vinegar and products of the bio-medical field.
The strong quake, a peak of magnitude 6.1, destroyed all the churches and many of the factories in the area, putting down the entire economy. Production of Grana Padano and Parmigiano-Reggiano hard cheeses was badly affected; approximately 300,000 wheels, with an estimated value of €200 million, were destroyed.
According to New York Times article: “ Giovanni Messori, director of the Modena industrialists’ association, said 1 percent of Italy’s gross domestic product is produced among nine of the region’s earthquake-stricken towns, which account for about $3.7 billion in taxes a year. “It may be a small area geographically, but it is very productive,” Mr. Messori said.”
