Earthquake strikes near Micron's Italian fab

LONDON — An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck Italy’s mountainous Abruzzo region 60 miles east of Rome at 3:32 am Monday (April 6) morning. Reports have indicated a death toll of at least 27 although that figure is expected to rise as mountain villages that may have been cut off by landslides are contacted. Reports speak of 50,000 evacuees from the region and thousands people now homeless.

The quake was centered on the ancient town of L’Aquila but many surrounding villages are reported to have been razed and fatalities have been confirmed in other towns including Avezzano, home to a wafer fabrication plant. The plant was originally constructed by Texas Instruments Inc. (Dallas, Texas) but was subsequently taken over by Micron Technology Inc. (Boise, Idaho).

Avezzano produces memory devices but also hosts a network communications design center as well as a regional sales office for Micron. Although wafer fabs are usually among those buildings better able to withstand earthquakes, production can be interrupted as mandatory safety checks are carried out. If there is damage or workers are evacuated production could be suspended for some time.

More details of the earthquake could be found at the BBC when this first posted.

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