Central Italy struck by another earthquake, measured as magnitude 4.8

It is the latest in a series of quakes to hit the area

Fractures on a road in Norcia after the strong earthquake in central Italy at the end of October (EPA/Matteo Crocchioni)

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck central Italy on Thursday morning in the same region hit by recent strong quakes, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

It said the temblor, which struck at 1:35 a.m. (0035 GMT), was very shallow, only 6.2 miles (10 km) deep, and was centered 32 miles (51.5 km) southeast of Perugia.

Earthquakes measuring 5.5 and 6.1 hit the area on Oct. 26, followed by a 6.6 magnitude quake on Sunday, the biggest tremor to strike Italy for 36 years.

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake is considered moderate and is capable of causing considerable damage. The shallow depth would have intensified the shaking at the surface.

Reuters