
An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale has jolted northern Italy, leaving at least three people dead and two others injured, the US Geological Survey (USGS) says.
People rushed into the streets in panic when the strong earthquake rocked a large swathe of northern Italy early on Sunday morning, damaging rural factories and leading to the collapse of ancient bell towers in towns.
The epicenter of the quake, which struck at 4:04 a.m. (0204 GMT), was in the plains near Modena. But it was felt in nearby regions.
It lasted around 20 seconds and was followed by several aftershocks.
Rescue services said the three people died in the Modena and Ferrara areas.
The quake was felt in the major towns of Bologna, Modena, Ferrara, Rovigo, Verona and Mantua.
Earlier, a 4.1-magnitude quake was felt in the Lombardy region around Milan, Italy’s financial and business capital.
The last major earthquake to hit Italy was a 6.3-magnitude quake in the central Italian city of L’Aquila in 2009, which killed nearly 300 people.



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Imidacloprid, “Gaucho”
One of our most important crops is corn. But corn has an enemy called diabrotica vergifera vergifera – also known as the “root worm.” [right] It burrows into the roots of the corn plant and causes the plant to wither and eventually die.























by Amy L. Lansky PhD
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CHILE – A 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Antofagasta, Chile. The depth of the earthquake was 25 km (15.5 m) and was downgraded from a 6.2 magnitude quake by the USGS. The epicenter of the earthquake was 54 km (33 miles) SW of Taltal, Antofagasta, Chile and 849 km (527 miles) N of Santiago, Chile. This is the third moderate earthquake to strike along the Chilean coastline in five days. A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coastal region of Aisen, Chile on May 18. A 6.2 earthquake also struck near Tarapaca on May 14. Tension continues to mount on the very dangerous Nazca plate which is violently diving or undergoing subduction under the South American plate. The absolute motion of the Nazca Plate has been calibrated at 3.7 cm/yr east motion (88°), some of the fastest absolute motion of any tectonic plate. The subducting Nazca Plate, which exhibits unusual flat-slab subduction, is tearing as well as deforming as it is subducted under the land mass. No tsunami warnings were issued with today’s 5.9 earthquake and there have been no reports of damage or injuries. Today’s earthquake, however, is one more indication tension along the Nazca tectonic plate is building. This region should remain alert for the potential occurrence of a stress-break or sizable release of seismic tension that could be manifested in a major earthquake.




