The hazard connected with the surface propagation of a fault rupture during a seismic event is a widely discussed topic in the literature and its importance in Italy has emerged particularly after the 2009 L'Aquila (Italy) earthquake (Boncio et al., 2010; EMERGEO Working Group, 2010). The area of Mt. Etna volcano is considered as the most critical in Italy because of the high geological predisposition to surface faulting in relation to the high urbanization (Guerrieri et al., 2009). An active fault whose coseismic displacement can intercept the ground surface is defined as capable (Machette, 2000; Galadini et al., 2012). The faults characterized by aseismic slip (creep), either episodic or constant over time, should be considered similar to the capable faults. In a largely urbanized area like the lower eastern slope of Mt. Etna also affected by high level of seismic strain release, the risk related to surface faulting (coseismic and aseismic) is very high (Blumetti et al., 2007; Guerrieri et al., 2009). The displacement between the two fault blocks can dislocate, rotate or cause structural damage to buildings and infrastructure and lifelines located along or in proximity of the fault line. In this study we precisely map the segments associated with an active fault system in the lower eastern slopes of Etna, we characterize the damaged zone by means of several geophysical surveys (environmental noise, GPR, seismic tomography, ReMi) and, finally we try to assess the criteria for a rupture surface faulting hazard zonation, essential for any land use planning and management.

Fault rupture hazard along a sector with aseismic creep in urban area (Eastern Sicily)

IMPOSA, Sebastiano;
2015-01-01

Abstract

The hazard connected with the surface propagation of a fault rupture during a seismic event is a widely discussed topic in the literature and its importance in Italy has emerged particularly after the 2009 L'Aquila (Italy) earthquake (Boncio et al., 2010; EMERGEO Working Group, 2010). The area of Mt. Etna volcano is considered as the most critical in Italy because of the high geological predisposition to surface faulting in relation to the high urbanization (Guerrieri et al., 2009). An active fault whose coseismic displacement can intercept the ground surface is defined as capable (Machette, 2000; Galadini et al., 2012). The faults characterized by aseismic slip (creep), either episodic or constant over time, should be considered similar to the capable faults. In a largely urbanized area like the lower eastern slope of Mt. Etna also affected by high level of seismic strain release, the risk related to surface faulting (coseismic and aseismic) is very high (Blumetti et al., 2007; Guerrieri et al., 2009). The displacement between the two fault blocks can dislocate, rotate or cause structural damage to buildings and infrastructure and lifelines located along or in proximity of the fault line. In this study we precisely map the segments associated with an active fault system in the lower eastern slopes of Etna, we characterize the damaged zone by means of several geophysical surveys (environmental noise, GPR, seismic tomography, ReMi) and, finally we try to assess the criteria for a rupture surface faulting hazard zonation, essential for any land use planning and management.
2015
978-88-98161-20-1
fault rupture hazard; aseismic creep; eastern Sicily
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/73105
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