In the early morning of January 13, 1915, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.7 Mw struck the province of L'Aquila in central Italy. This seismic event reached a maximum intensity of XI on the Mercalli scale, categorizing it as 'Extreme'. The epicenter was located near the town of Avezzano, which was devastated by the quake. The earthquake caused widespread destruction to homes, churches, and public buildings, leaving the region in ruins. Many residents were asleep when the disaster struck, making escape difficult and contributing to the high casualty rate. It is estimated that the death toll ranged from 29,978 to 32,610, with thousands more injured or left homeless.

The tectonic activity in Italy is well-known due to its location along the boundary of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. These shifting plates create significant earthquake risk in the region. Following this tragic event, the affected areas faced prolonged recovery efforts, which included both immediate relief and long-term reconstruction. The earthquake also raised awareness about building practices in seismically active zones, ultimately leading to reforms and stricter building codes in Italy, which aimed to better protect structures and communities from future earthquakes.