2009 L'Aquila earthquake region saw dozens of significant aftershocks following the main earthquake. The strongest, which hit at 19:47 CEST on 7 April, measured magnitude 5.3 and caused further damage. According to the Italian National Geophysics Institute director Boschi, the aftershock epicentres migrated south-east, thus lessening the risk of further major shocks near populated areas. Aftershocks caused safety problems for rescue crews searching for injured victims trapped in precarious structures in the historic center of L'Aquila, a medieval city. Using cranes and backhoes to remove loose bricks and broken timbers, the crews were aware that even a small aftershock could have triggered the
2009 Swan Islands earthquake 2009 Swan Islands earthquake The 2009 Swan Islands earthquake occurred on May 28 at with a moment magnitude of 7.3 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of VII ("Very strong"). The epicenter was located in the Caribbean Sea, northeast of the island of Roatán, 19 miles northeast of Port Royal, Isla de Bahias, 15 miles northwest of Isla Barbaretta, and north-northeast of La Ceiba. Three aftershocks followed the earthquake within magnitude 4 range. The earthquake occurred at a depth of around on a transform fault zone known as the Swan Islands Transform Fault on the southern margin of the Cayman Trough.