On 20 February 1743 the southermost part of the Italy bordering the Adriatic (the Salento peninsula) was struck by a very strong earthquake (IX-X MCS); the towns of Nardò, Lecce and Brindisi were severely damaged, and the shock was felt throughout southern Italy. In the harbour of Brindisi the sea withdrew, exposing the sea bottom to sight (Scalese, 1743, Cagnes and Scalese, 1978). I = 3, R = 2.