Natural Disasters

Speaking of Italy’s recent earthquakes, Italian Catholic priest “Giovanni Cavalcoli told a radio audience that the two earthquakes were a punishment for sins, ‘such as civil unions,’ which were officially recognized in Italy beginning in May. The priest’s remarks drew a sharp rebuke from the Vatican.

Last week, “a rapid succession of small earthquakes—three measuring above magnitude 4.0—began rupturing near Bombay Beach [California], continuing for more than 24 hours. Before the swarm started to fade, more than 200 earthquakes had been recorded… The temblors were not felt over a very large area, but they have garnered intense interest—and concern—among seismologists.