The Long‑Term Legacy of the 1693 Val di Noto Earthquake: Emergency Management, Reconstruction, and Institutional Impact

The 1693 Val di Noto earthquake, the most severe seismic event in Italy's recorded history, reshaped southeastern Sicily but left a complex legacy marked by institutional efficiency and widespread socio-spatial marginalization. While reconstruction efforts achieved remarkable Late Baroque urban renewal and maintained public order, affected populations bore disproportionate social costs, reflecting pre-existing power dynamics and new vulnerabilities. This study reveals that the earthquake did not reset regional history but accelerated existing processes, with ruling classes adapting while marginalized communities faced enduring hardships. Analyzing operational, legislative, administrative, and fiscal mechanisms, the research exposes a stark contrast between effective institutional responses and the abandonment of affected populations, challenging celebratory narratives of post-disaster recovery.

Marino, C., & Mattia, M. (2026). The Long‑Term Legacy of the 1693 Val di Noto Earthquake: Emergency Management, Reconstruction, and Institutional Impact. Annals of Geophysics, 69(3), SY339. https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-9507