Even Rome shook. The earthquake leveled cities to the ground in seconds, leaving thousands dead.

In just a few dozen seconds, tens of thousands of people died at once. 110 years ago, a powerful earthquake struck central Italy, leveling several villages and towns, including the regional center, the city of Avezzano. The tremors were so strong that they were felt by residents of Rome, about eighty kilometers away. Survivors were buried in the rubble, where they were trapped for dozens of hours, because help could not reach the area. The soldi…