By analyzing the historical seismicity of the Apennines since AD 1000, we have identified four major seismic sequences occurred from 1349 to 1353, 1456 to 1461, 1688 to 1706 and 1915 to 1920. Each of these crises is characterized by several strong earthquakes and by the fact that seismic activity progressively migrated from the Southern to northern Apennines. In order to provide a plausible explanation for this phenomenology, we have elaborated a detailed seismotectonic model of the Apennines, compatible with the implications of plate tectonics in the central Mediterranean region. In our model, the seismic motion of a tectonic block, induced by tectonic forces, stresses the surrounding blocks eventually causing further earthquake activity. The temporal delay between the triggering shock and subsequent strong earthquakes depends on the rheological properties of the crust-mantle system, that control post-seismic strain and stress perturbations. We argue that the spatio-temporal distribution of major earthquakes which have occurred in the Apennine belt during the most intense seismic crises since AD 1300 is consistent with the short-term implications of the ongoing tectonic setting in the central Mediterranean area and with the expected effects of post-seismic relaxation, quantified by numerical experiments based on the stress diffusion model. The results obtained point out an agreement between earthquake occurrence and the arrival of the predicted maximum amplitude of post-seismic strain and strain rate perturbation in the relevant seismic zones. Moreover, in most cases the strain regime induced by post-seismic perturbation may be compatible with the geometry and kinematics of fault systems recognized in the zones considered. These results might delineate an important tool for recognizing the zones most prone to next strong earthquakes in the study area. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Viti, M., Mantovani, E., Cenni, N., Vannucchi, A. (2013). Interaction of seismic sources in the Apennine belt. PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF THE EARTH, 63, 25-35 [10.1016/j.pce.2013.03.005].

Interaction of seismic sources in the Apennine belt

Viti, M.;Mantovani, E.;Vannucchi, A.
2013-01-01

Abstract

By analyzing the historical seismicity of the Apennines since AD 1000, we have identified four major seismic sequences occurred from 1349 to 1353, 1456 to 1461, 1688 to 1706 and 1915 to 1920. Each of these crises is characterized by several strong earthquakes and by the fact that seismic activity progressively migrated from the Southern to northern Apennines. In order to provide a plausible explanation for this phenomenology, we have elaborated a detailed seismotectonic model of the Apennines, compatible with the implications of plate tectonics in the central Mediterranean region. In our model, the seismic motion of a tectonic block, induced by tectonic forces, stresses the surrounding blocks eventually causing further earthquake activity. The temporal delay between the triggering shock and subsequent strong earthquakes depends on the rheological properties of the crust-mantle system, that control post-seismic strain and stress perturbations. We argue that the spatio-temporal distribution of major earthquakes which have occurred in the Apennine belt during the most intense seismic crises since AD 1300 is consistent with the short-term implications of the ongoing tectonic setting in the central Mediterranean area and with the expected effects of post-seismic relaxation, quantified by numerical experiments based on the stress diffusion model. The results obtained point out an agreement between earthquake occurrence and the arrival of the predicted maximum amplitude of post-seismic strain and strain rate perturbation in the relevant seismic zones. Moreover, in most cases the strain regime induced by post-seismic perturbation may be compatible with the geometry and kinematics of fault systems recognized in the zones considered. These results might delineate an important tool for recognizing the zones most prone to next strong earthquakes in the study area. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
2013
Viti, M., Mantovani, E., Cenni, N., Vannucchi, A. (2013). Interaction of seismic sources in the Apennine belt. PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF THE EARTH, 63, 25-35 [10.1016/j.pce.2013.03.005].
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Viti et alii 2013.pdf

non disponibili

Tipologia: Post-print
Licenza: NON PUBBLICO - Accesso privato/ristretto
Dimensione 2.9 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.9 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11365/46075
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo