Earthquake Hits Sicily, Aeolian Islands, Causing Rockslides

[Pastor Dale Morgan]

Great Earthquakes In Diverse Places

Earthquake Hits Sicily, Aeolian Islands, Causing Rockslides

August 16, 2010, 10:52 AM EDT

By Steve Scherer

Aug. 16 (Bloomberg) -- A 4.5 magnitude earthquake hit north-eastern Sicily and the Aeolian Islands causing rockslides and injuries, according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology and the Civil Protection Agency.

The island of Lipari was hit hardest, and there were some reported injuries after the temblor caused rockslides onto a beach popular with tourists, Ansa news wire reported. The area, which is a popular summer vacation destination, hosts one of Italy’s three active volcanoes on the island of Stromboli. The quake happened at 2:54 p.m. Rome time