Search

The aim of this study is a critical revision of the historical and recent seismicity of the Apulia and surrounding seismogenetic areas, for re-evaluating the macroseismic effects in MCS scale and ground effects in natural environment according to the ESI 2007 scale (Michetti et al., 2007) as a contribution to the seismic hazard of the region. The most important environmental effect due to historical earthquakes in the Apulia was the tsunami occurrence, followed by landslides, liquefaction phenomena, hydrological changes and ground cracks. The Apulia (Southern Italy) has been hit by several low energy and a few high energy earthquakes in the last centuries. In particular, the July 30, 1627 earthquake (I=X MCS, Rovida et al., 2011) and the May 5, 1646 event (I=X MCS), the strongest earthquakes of the Gargano promontory have been reviewed, together with the March 20, 1731 earthquake (I=IX MCS, Mw=6.5, Rovida et al., 2011), the most relevant of the Foggia province, and the February 20, 1743 earthquake (I=IX MCS, Mw= 7.1, Rovida et al., 2011, I ESI=X, Nappi et al, 2015), the strongest of the Salento area,. The whole Apulia region has also been struck by strong earthquakes of neighboring seismogenetic areas located in the Southern Apennines, Adriatic and Ionian Sea, Albania and Greece, well propagated throughout the Italian peninsula, and in particular in the southern regions, where the intensity degrees are higher, sometimes exceeding the limit of damage. Some well documented examples of Greek earthquakes strongly felt in the whole Apulia region were: the August 27, 1886 earthquake (Peloponnesus, Greece); the May 28, 1897 earthquake (Creta-Cypro); the June 26, 1926 earthquake (Creta and Cipro, Imax=X MCS), felt all over the Southern Italy; the August 28, 1962 earthquake (epicenter in Peloponnesus area). It is noteworthy that earthquakes located in the Southern Apennines were powerfully felt in the whole Apulia region; among the strongest historical events of the Campania-Lucania Apennines we mention the 1456 (Imax =XI MCS), 1694 (Imax =XI MCS) and 1857 (Imax=XI MCS) earthquakes. More recently, the July 23, 1930 (Imax=X MCS) and the November 23, 1980 (Imax=X MCS) Irpinia earthquakes gave rise to several ground effects, mostly hydrological variations, in the Apulian region. This study is a contribution for a better evaluation of the whole Apulia region seismic hazard that represents one of the most crowded touristic destination of the Southern Italy, all over the summer season

Guatemala is one of the most seismically active countries of Central America. It has suffered several dramatic earthquakes during the last century, the most destructive of which was the event associated with the Motagua fault, occurred on 4, February 1976, that caused 23,000 deaths, and 77,200 injuries. Noteworthy were also the coseismic geological effects, either directly linked to the earthquake source, such as a remarkable displacement along a 230 km long strike-slip fault, or caused by the ground shaking, such as 50,000 landslides, numerous liquefaction phenomena, ground cracks and ground deformation over an area of about 18,000 km2. In spite of this, the estimated intensity was relatively low (Imax = IX MM, only in few localities). For this reason, in order to achieve a better definition of seismic hazard, we have conducted a re-evaluation of the 1976 earthquake taking into account the environmental effects that have contributed substantially to the dramatic level of recorded impact, both in terms of loss of human life and damage affecting housing and infrastructures. The analysis of primary and secondary effects has permitted a better evaluation of seismic intensity in 24 localities that were hit by the earthquake and allowed for establishing a new epicentral Intensity, characterized by XI ESI. The recalculated seismic intensity is consequently two degrees higher than previous estimates and definitely more consistent with the scenario of the actual damage caused by the earthquake.

Guatemala is one of the most seismically active countries of Central America. It has suffered several dramatic earthquakes during the last century, the most destructive of which was the event associated with the Motagua fault, occurred on 4, February 1976, that caused 23,000 deaths, and 77,200 injuries. In order to achieve a better definition of seismic hazard, we have conducted a re-evaluation of the 1976 earthquake, taking into account the environmental effects that have effectively contributed to the dramatic level of destructive impact, both in terms of loss of human life and damage affecting housing and infrastructures. The analysis of primary and secondary effects has permitted a better evaluation of seismic intensity in 24 localities that were hit by the earthquake and allowed for establishing a new epicentral Intensity, characterized by XI ESI. The new intensity values have been compared with the PGA and spectral accelerations distribution recorded during the earthquake and estimated using a probabilistic/deterministic hazard analysis approach for the target area. The integration of recorded and predicted ground motion data, with the information retrieved from many surface effects like landslides, liquefactions, ground cracks and ground deformation observed over an area of about 18,000 km2 has been investigated to better constrain the affected area and the earthquake effects. The scope of our study is to evaluate the possible correlation between the coseismic geological effects, in terms of ESI scale intensity values, along the 230 km of the fault plane and the strong motion parameters recorded and estimated using a probabilistic and determistic hazard analysis.

ACADEMIA DE ?TIIN?E A MOLDOVEI Institutul de Istorie CONSILIUL NA?IONAL DE CERCET?RI DIN ITALIA Institutul de Studii a Societ??ilor Mediteranei (Napoli) Seminar ?tiin?ific interna?ional din cadrul Programului de colaborare bilateral? între A?M ?i CNR Italia Proiectul Bilateral

A major hydrogeological problem affecting the Amalfi coast (Southern Italy) involves slope-related processes mainly due to flash floods typically characterized by landslides of debris flow type. These processes are generated on slopes and interact heavily with river dynamics, mobilizing huge quantities of material which are then carried by the water course. In the area of Cava de’ Tirreni, phenomena of torrential spate have occurred regularly in historical times due to the presence of volcaniclastic deposits and soils on slopes which are very prone to being mobilized and washed away during rainfall events. For the historical reconstruction of the 11–12th November 1773 flood event, over one hundred archival sources contemporary to the event were examined, as well as many bibliographic sources. The conclusions of our research were compared and integrated with results from updated literature.

Convegno a conclusione dell'esperienza italiana in Centro America :L'Università di Palermo in centro America, esperienze di cooperazione sulle pericolosità naturali". Palermo, 15 Giugno 205. Con Mostra delle attività sulle pericolosità naturali svolta in Centro America.

Quando diciamo tsunami pensiamo inevitabilmente al Giappone ed agli effetti catastrofici che si verificarono a seguito del terremoto di M=9, a largo delle sue coste nel 2011. D'altra parte il nome tsunami è di origine giapponese e vuol dire "onda del porto", una terminologia ormai divenuta di uso comune a livello globale. Gli tsunami sono causati da ampie dislocazioni che avvengono sul fondo del mare, e che sono dovute principalmente a terremoti, attività vulcanica e fenomeni franosi sottomarini di ampie dimensioni. Anche il Mediterraneo è stato interessato sia in epoca storica, sia più di recente da tsunami che hanno colpito gli insediamenti abitativi posti lungo le coste provocando non solo livelli di danneggiamento elevati, ma anche la perdita di numerose vite umane. A partire dalla famosa eruzione del 79 A.D. (Milia et al., 2008; NOAA 2015, Maramai et al., 2014; Sacchi M., 2015), che innescò uno tsunami in tutto il Golfo di Napoli, vengono illustrati brevemente alcuni tra gli tsunami più catastrofici che nel corso dei secoli hanno colpito soprattutto le coste dell'Italia meridionale, dalla Campania, alla Sicilia, Calabria e Puglia: Dicembre 2002 Stromboli (Nappi et al., 2004; Maramai et al., 2005) Febbraio 1783 Scilla (Bozzano et al., 2010; Blumetti et al., 2015),Dicembre 1908 Reggio Calabria-Messina ( Comerci et al., 2015)Febbraio 1743 Puglia meridionale, da Brindisi sino al Golfo di Taranto (Mastronuzzi et al., 2007; Nappi et al. 2015; Gaudiosi et al., 2015). Nello studio dei terremoti storici, come degli tsunami, risulta fondamentale l'approccio multidisciplinare che vede focalizzate le sinergie anche di discipline estremamente diverse tra loro, come possono essere le scienze umanistiche e le scienze dure.Viene inoltre illustrata la nuova scala macrosismica denominata Esi scale 2007, basata esclusivamente sugli effetti ambientali (Michetti et al, 2007) ed il contributo che essa può fornire soprattutto nella valutazione degli effetti al suolo, che sempre accompagnano gli eventi sismici soprattutto quelli di elevata energia, dando la possibilità di avere un quadro più completo dello scenario sismico, quindi utile per una migliore definizione del rischio sismico anche nelle aree non abitate, dove talvolta costituisce l'unico record. Informazioni queste, utili ai fini di una corretta programmazione territoriale, sia a scala locale sia a scala regionale. E' questo il caso di alcune località della Puglia, in cui sono stati trovati massi di notevoli dimensioni " boulders" trasportati sulla costa dalla violenza dello tsunami innescato dal terremoto del 1743 ( Mastronuzzi et al., 2007), per le quali è stato possibile assegnare un valore di Intensità (Nappi et al. 2015, Gaudiosi et al., 2015).

Moderate to strong crustal earthquakes are generally accompanied by a distinctive pattern of coseismic geological phenomena, ranging from surface faulting to ground cracks, landslides, liquefaction/compaction, which leave a permanent mark in the landscape. Therefore, the repetition of surface faulting earthquakes over a geologic time interval determines a characteristic morphology closely related to seismic potential. To support this statement, the areal distribution and dimensions of effects of recent historical earthquakes in the Southern Apennines are being investigated in detail. This paper presents results concerning the 26 July 1805 earthquake in the Molise region, (I =X MCS, M = 6.8), and the 23 November 1980 earthquake in the Campania and Basilicata regions (I =XM SK,Ms = 6.9). Landslide data are also compared with two other historical earthquakes in the same region with similar macroseismic intensity. The number of significant effects (either ground deformation or hydrological anomalies) versus their minimum distance from the causative fault have been statistically analyzed, finding characteristic relationships. In particular, the decay of the number of landslides with distance from fault follows an exponential law, whereas it shows almost a rectilin- ear trend for liquefaction and hydrological anomalies. Most effects fall within the macroseismic area, landslides within intensity V to VI, liquefaction effects within VI and hydrological anomalies within IV MCS/MSK, hence at much larger distances. A possible correlation between maximum distance of effects and length of the reactivated fault zone is also noted. Maximum distances fit the envelope curves for Intensity and Magnitude based on worldwide data. These results suggest that a careful examination of coseismic geological effects can be important for a proper estimation of earthquake parameters and vulnerability of the natural environment for seismic hazard evaluation purposes.

The study of hydrological variations in the watersheds of seismic areas can be useful in order to acquire a new knowledge of the mechanisms by which earthquakes can produce hydrological anomalies. Italy has the availability of many long historical series both of hydrological parameters and of seismological data, and is an ideal laboratory to verify the validity of theoretical models proposed by various authors. In this work we analyse the hydrological anomalies associated with some of the big earthquakes that occurred in the last century in the southern Apennines: 1930, 1980 and 1984. For these earthquakes we analysed hydrometric and pluviometric data looking for significant anomalies in springs, water wells and mountain streams. The influence of rainfalls on the normal flows of rivers, springs and wells has been ascertained. Also, the earthquake of 1805, for which a lot of hydrological perturbations have been reported, is considered in order to point out effects imputable to this earthquake that can be similar to the effects of the other big earthquakes. The considered seismic events exhibit different modes of energy release, different focal mechanisms and different propagation of effects on the invested areas. Furthermore, even if their epicentres were not localised in contiguous seismogenetic areas, it seems that the hydrological effects imputable to them took place in the same areas. Such phenomena have been compared with macroseismic fields and transformed in parameters, in order to derive empirical relationships between the dimensions of the event and the characteristics of the hydrological variations. The results of this work point to a close dependence among hydrological anomalies, regional structures and fault mechanisms, and indicate that many clear anomalies have been forerunners of earthquakes. In 1993, the Naples Bureau of the Hydrographic National Service started the continuous monitoring of hydrologic parameters by a network of automatic stations and transmission in real time; presently 7 acquifers are under control in which also pH, T , salinity, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen are measured. We envisage to increase the number of monitoring sites and controlled parameters.

This paper both describes and discusses landslides and other ground effects induced by the September–October 1997 seismic sequence, which struck the Umbria and Marche regions (Central Italy). Three main events occurred on 26 September at 00:33 and 09:40 GMT, and 14 October with magnitude M w equal to 5.8, 6.0 and 5.4, respectively; furthermore hundreds of minor but significant events were also recorded. The authors examined an area of some 700 km 2 around the epicentre (Colfiorito). Primary and secondary effects were observed, including surface faulting phenomena, landslides, ground fractures, compaction and various hydrological phenomena. Surface evidence of faulting reactivation was found along the well-known capable faults, to a total length of ca. 30 km. Landslides, which were the most recurrent among the phenomena induced, consisted mainly of rock falls and subordinately of rotational and translational slides, which were generally mobilised by the inertia forces during the seismic motion. The percentage of reactivated old landslides decreased as the distance from the epicentral zone increased; a similar decrease had been observed for the 1980 Irpinia earthquake (Southern Italy). The ground fracture distribution was consistent with the regional structural setting and the general pattern of macroseismic field. Numerous episodes of hydrological changes were observed within the most severely damaged area. All this evidence confirms the relevance of the study of ground surface effects for achieving a more complete evaluation of seismic hazard.

The September–October 1997 seismic sequence in the Umbria–Marche regions of Central Italy (main shocks on September 26, Mw 5.7 and 6.0, and on October 14, Mw 5.6) left significant ground effects, which were mainly concentrated in the Colfiorito intermountain basin. These effects included surface faulting, ground cracks and settlements, rock falls, slides, hydrological and gas anomalies. The distribution and size of ground effects has proved useful for (1) defining the epicentral area and the location of the causative fault; (2) complementing the intensity pattern from damage distribution (this can be very useful in poorly inhabited zones); (3) integrating or testing the intensity assessment of many historical events, in order to obtain a better evaluation of the magnitude from intensity data. Of special interest was the observation of surface ruptures generated along segments of a system of normal faults already mapped as capable, with end-to-end lengths of 12 km and maximum displacements of 8 cm. Many pieces of evidence confirm that coseismic slip was not a secondary, gravity-induced, phenomenon, but had a tectonic origin. Detailed descriptions of surface faulting for moderate earthquakes are not common, being easily missed or misinterpreted; however, in this paper we emphasize that surface faulting due to the 1997 event can be used to infer the threshold magnitude for surface faulting in Central Apennines, allowing to calibrate palaeoearthquake size from fault offsets as seen in trench investigations.

The area of the Salento peninsula (Apulia, Southern Italy) is considered the stable foreland of the Southern Apennines chain (Cinque et al., 1993), although it has been hit by several low energy and a few high energy earthquakes over the last centuries. The aim of this study is a critical revision of the historical and recent seismicity of the Salento penin sula and surrounding seismogenet ic areas , for re - evaluating the macro seismic effects in MCS scale and ground effects in natural environment, according to the ESI 2007 scale (Michetti et al., 2007; Guerrieri et al., 2012). In particular , the February 20, 1743 earthquake , the strongest of the area, was reviewed and new MCS i ntensity values were attributed to some localities. Moreover we have evalua ted the most important effects on land in the Salento area due to the strong earthquakes of Northern Apulia, Southern Apennines, Adriatic and Ionian sea, Albania and Greece. The u se of both traditional MCS macroseismic intensity scale and the ESI 2007 scale give s a more accurate image of the earthquake (Dengler and McPherson, 1993; Porfido et al., 2007; Serva et al., 2007) and allow ed us to better constrain the seismic hazard asses sment in the Salento peninsula . .

A reconstruction of historical floods occurred along the Amalfi coast, during the last five centuries is presented. The analysis of historical sources allowed to achieve a chronological reconstruction of more than 100 floods, four of which classified as catastrophic events. In this task, the level of information was decisive to carry out space-time identification, estimate the affected area and define the type of damage to the structures, and the environment (e.g. mud flow, debris flow, rock falls, shoreline progradation, fan deltas), which may be relevant for the recognition of similar events within the geologic record. The magnitude of the events was finally estimated, taking into account the size of the areas affected by flooding as well as the type of effects induced on the urban and physical environment and the recurrence intervals. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.

Analysis of distribution of landslides (rock falls and coherent slides), induced by 12 moderate to strong earthquakes occurred in the last three centuries in Central-Southern Apennines, has permitted to investigate the relationship of their maximum distance versus magnitude and ESI epicentral intensity. For coherent slides, the correlation of magnitude or ESI intensity versus distance is fairly good and consistent with global datasets. Instead, rock falls show a less evident correlation with distance. We stress here the usefulness of such relationships to define the expected scenario of earthquake-induced landslides. However, the data base needs to be improved and enlarged to allow more robust estimates. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.

Evidence of active tectonic shortening in the Lake Garda area (Northern Italy) has been very well described in the geological literature for at least 40 years, mainly due to the extensive research conducted during the siting of nuclear power plants in Lombardia in the 80's. This area includes in fact the causative faults for some of the largest seismic events ever occurred in Northern Italy, i.e. the two medieval earthquakes of January 3rd, 1117 (Verona, Io = IX-X MCS) and the 25th of December, 1222 (Brescia, Io = IX-X MCS). More recently, two "twin" moderate events occurred at Salò on October 30th, 1901 (Io = VIII MCS) and November 24th, 2004 (Ml = 5.4). This is therefore a critical area for understanding the relationship between tectonic structures and earthquake source parameters in the Po Plain. We address this issue through new field data and airphoto interpretation, morphobathymetric investigations in South Lake Garda, and a systematic revision of published data. A new map of Quaternary faults is presented, that shows a good correlation between Quaternary deformations, major regional tectonic structures, and macroseismic information derived from local strong seismic events. Style and rates of activity of the proposed capable faults allow us to infer the typical seismogenic features of the characteristic seismic event for the Lake Garda region, which can be regarded as the controlling earthquake for the seismic hazard of the central part of the Po Plain.

Most relevant macroseismic and instrumental data concerning past and current seismic activity of the Potentino, southern Italy, have been collected in order to study the seismic behaviour of this area. Ten among the most important recent and historical earthquakes occurred in the area from 1826 to 1990 have been studied by means of macroseismic methodologies; macroseismic fields for all the events indicate a general isoseismal lengthening in the direction of the Apennines chain (northwest-southeast), a rapid attenuation of intensity westward of the studied area and a strong propagation eastwards; this configuration is strongly dependent on the source mechanisms of the seismic events and the geological dishomogeneities of the concerned areas. As regards earthquakes which have been instrumentally recorded in the Campania-Basilicata area from 1980 to 1991, more than 1300 accurate hypocentral locations have been computed for events with M D ⩾ 2.5, using data from Osservatorio Vesuviano (O.V.) and Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica (I.N.G.) seismic networks. Special emphasis is put on the Potenza May 5, 1990 earthquake ( M S = 5.4 NEIC—National Earthquake Information Center; I = VII MSK) which was the strongest recent event in the area and was felt in a large sector of southern Italy. As regards the seismic sequence following this event, about 110 aftershocks with M D ⩾ 1.9 have been located very close to the town of Potenza, northeast of it, with a clustering-type space distribution. The occurrence of the events is strongly time concentrated, in so defining a main shock-aftershocks typical sequence. Moreover, the macroseismic investigation of the main event has allowed to map out isoseismal lines bounding VII, VI, V and IV MSK areas; the isoseismals pattern shows that attenuation and amplification of intensity are observed in the same areas as for the previous events. Beginning from May 26, 1991 an increase of seismicity, initiated by an earthquake of M L = 4.7 NEIC and I = VI-VII MSK was observed nearly in the same area as the 1990 sequence. Accurate locations of 84 events with M D ⩾ 1.9 have been computed. However, this sequence seems to have a slightly different character from the 1990 one, in that events are scattered in time and seismic energy release is comparable to a swarm-type seismic sequence. As regards the previous sequences, fault plane solutions for the highest-magnitude events and for appropriate groups of events have been worked out; the mechanisms indicate normal faulting motion with T axes oriented orthogonal to the Apenninic chain. In conclusion, detailed analyses on the historical and recent seismicity of the Potentino area and adjacent ones have allowed to identify at least four seismogenic zones which show activity with different features. Such zoning represents a contribution to the seismic hazard assessment in the Southern Apennines on a regional scale.

EARTHQUAKE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS, INTENSITY AND SEISMIC HAZARD ASSESSMENT: THE EEE CATALOGUE (INQUA PROJECT #0418)

The coastal M. Pacì rock-avalanche occurred on 6th February 1783, near the village of Scilla (southern Calabria) and involved a subaerial volume of about 5·106 m3. This landslide produced a tsunami wave responsible for more than 1500 human life losses near Marina Grande beach. A geomechanical characterization of both the intact rock and the rock mass outcropping in the landslide slope was performed in order to obtain an engineering-geology model of the landslide according to an equivalent-continuum approach. Dynamic numerical modelling by FDM code FLAC 6.0 was performed to back-analyse the landslide occurrence during the 1783 seismic sequence. At this aim reference synthetic accelerometric ground motions were derived from strong motion records, taking into account both source and energy features of the 5th an 6th February mainshocks and local expected response spectra. In order to force the numerical model, levelled-energy multifrequencial equivalent signals were obtained from these reference records by experiencing the new LEMA_DES approach. The results of modelling show a post-seismic trigger of the rock-avalanche, related to the second mainshock of the seismic sequence, and are in good agreement with the present-day field evidences of the landslide scar area. In addition, no landslide results in the present M. Pacì slope by applying an equivalent input derived for the 1908 Reggio and Messina earthquake. The performed numerical analyses demonstrate the reliability of: 1. an equivalent-continuum approach to derive geomechanical properties of intensely jointed rock masses for numerical modelling of rock landslides; 2. levelled-energy multifrequencial equivalent signals derived from reference recordings; 3. the experienced approach for previsional analyses of landsliding, involving rock masses in highly seismic areas.

We present the preliminary results of the oceanographic cruise CAFE_07 - Leg 3, conducted in the Napoli and Pozzuoli Bays in January 2008, on board of the Research Vessel (R/V) URANIA of the CNR. The aim of the cruise was the acquisition of high resolution multi-channel seismic profiles to understand the stratigraphic-structural setting of the Pozzuoli Bay area, with specific reference to the major offshore volcanic features, as well as the acquisition of bathymetric data on the seafloor morphology of the Bay. About 800 km of seismic profiles were acquired simultaneously by two acquisition systems, each characterized by different seismic source and streamer configuration, operating at different frequency ranges. Moreover shallow high resolution seismic reflection profiles (sub-bottom CHIRP) and multibeam echo-sounder bathymetry data have been recorded. The seismic grid consisted in a number of assistant profiles acquired over the Bay of Naples, along with a dense network of profiles with average distance of about 150 m between navigation routes, in order to obtain a quasi 3-D seismic coverage of the Pozzuoli Bay. This data set represents a part of the requirements for on-site detailed investigations ("site survey") that are necessary for the development of an Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) proposal dedicated to the offshore drilling of the Campi Flegrei and is a relevant complement in the site survey of an ongoing project that has been submitted to the International Continental Drilling Program (ICDP).

The September–October 1997 seismic sequence in the Umbria–Marche regions of Central Italy has been one of the best studied from the seismological, macroseismic and geological point of view. Numerous papers have been published in the period immediately after the seismic sequence, providing a significant database of effects triggered by the earthquake on natural environment. In the following years, further studies have provided additional pieces of evidence that allow to better relate the seismic sequence with its geological background. Moreover, recent developments in the characterization of coseismic environmental effects provide new horizons in seismic hazard assessment (SHA) procedures, which should take into account even long term geomorphological and geological features resulting from repeated characteristic earthquakes (concept of “seismic landscape”). This paper reviews the current state of knowledge on the 1997 Umbria–Marche seismic sequence, with particular regard to coseismic environmental effects (primary and secondary), that have been used for ESI seismic intensity assessment, in order to verify if i) they are consistent with geological, seismological and macroseismic data in the location and characterization of the seismogenic structure, and ii) if they fit the “seismic landscape” features that mark the epicentral area of Colfiorito.

This paper aims at substantiating the basic postulate of the recent Earthquake Environmental Effects (EEE) scale proposed by the International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA), that primary and secondary environmental effects of earthquakes provide invaluable information on the earthquake size and intensity field, complementing but also independently testing the results of the traditional damage-based macroseismic scales. The EEE scale is applied to five disastrous earthquakes, which occurred in Southern Italy since the end of the XVII century. For each considered earthquake, the available macroseismic data have been reviewed and integrated through an updated interpretation of the original texts. The cataloguing and analysis of the seismically induced environmental effects has provided (a) a more detailed picture of the macroseismic fields, (b) the chance to test the scaling of the EEE scale with the MCS and MSK macroseismic scales, confirming its good fit with the MSK/MM, (c) I0 estimates based on EEE scale in good agreement with I0 assessments derived from MCS/MSK scales, (d) further constrains for the new version of the EEE scale, (e) useful data for seismic zonation. These results have confirmed once more the essential role of EEEs in the process of seismic hazard assessment and risk reduction.

Seismic interpretation of about 150 km of high resolution Sonar Chirp lines, matched with cores collected off the Bonea Stream mouth (Salerno Bay, Southern Tyrrhenian Sea) were used in the detection of event beds interlayered in the pelitic Late Holocene shelf wedge. Grain fabric, textures and absolute dating of core sediment allowed to identify the most recent event bed as being the coarse deposit that settled following the disastrous flood of the Bonea Stream in 1954 A.D. Below this event bed, three others, consisting of sharp-based and graded sand layers, were recognized as well. Their lithology, texture and lateral geometry point to a diverse dynamic of deposition, involving the reworking and winnowing of fluvial and littoral sand such as seastorm-induced, downflow currents. The unusual thickness of tempestite sandy layers has been linked to the large availability of sand delivered to the coastal system by recurrent floods in the area and to the fast burial rate. Magnetic susceptibility correlations calibrated by a dated core, by 210 Pb and 137 Cs geochronology and by the 1822 A.D. Vesuvius tephra and seismic stratigraphic evidences, led to constrain these events to the last 1000 yr.

On 9 September 1998, at 13:28 local time (11:28 UTC), a moderate earthquake of Mw = 5.6 struck the Southern Apennines at the northwest margin of the Pollino Massif (the highest mountain range of the region, reaching elevations above 2,000 m a.s.l.; Figures 1 and 2). The macroseismic epicenter is located about 3 km southeast of Lauria, with a maximum intensity of VIII on the MCS scale (or MM or MSK; see below for a correlation among macroseismic scales); thus we refer to this event as the Lauria earthquake. Historical towns—such as Lagonegro, Lauria, and Castelluccio—suffered significant damage, in particular that of Rivello, which is a remarkable local artistic site. Several ground effects followed the shock, and a rockfall on the road between Cersuta and Acquafredda (site 9a in Figure 3) claimed one life. A moderate magnitude event, the Lauria earthquake, together with the 5 May 1990 Potenza earthquake ( Ms = 5.4), was the largest earthquake in southern Italy since the destructive 23 November 1980 Irpinia earthquake (Alessio et al., 1995, cum bib.; Table 1 and Figure 2A). The day after the shock we initiated a reconnaissance survey of the epicentral area in order to record the geological and environmental changes induced by the earthquake. Among many other effects, we observed the rejuvenation of a bedrock fault scarp. In this paper we focus on this evidence of tectonic surface rupture because it has significant implications for the seismic hazard assessment both in (a) this sector of the Apennines and (b) other parts of the world. 1. This is the first modern observation of earthquake surface rupture in the apparently “aseismic” Pollino region. Figure 2 shows that according to the historical seismic catalogs only a few moderate to small local earthquakes (I ≤ VIII MCS) affected this area, in …

On Oct. 4th, 1983 the area of Phlegraean Fields, near Naples (Southern Italy) was shaked by an earthquake of magnitude (M L) 4.0 that caused some damage in the town of Pozzuoli and its surroundings. This seismic event was the largest one recorded during the recent (1982–84) inflation episode occurred in the Phlegraean volcanic area, and a detailed macroseismic reconstruction of the event was carried out. Failing macroseismic data on other earthquakes occurred in Phlegraean Fields, the attenuation law of the intensity as a function of the distance as obtained for the Oct. 4th earthquake was compared with those obtained for other volcanic areas in central Italy —i.e., Tolfa, Monte Amiata — in order to check the reliability of the results obtained for Phlegraean Fields. The Blake's model of the earthquake of Oct. 4th, 1983 does not agree with the experimental data because isoseismals contain areas larger than those shown by the model. This result has been interpreted as an effect of energy focusing due to a reflecting layer 6–8 km deep.

The aim of this study was to provide a contribution to seismic hazard assessment of the Salento Peninsula (Apulia, southern Italy). It is well known that this area was struck by the February 20, 1743, earthquake (I 0 = IX and M w = 7.1), the strongest seismic event of Salento, that caused the most severe damage in the towns of Nardo (Lecce) and Francavilla Fontana (Brindisi), in the Ionian Islands (Greece) and in the western coast of Albania. It was also widely felt in the western coast of Greece, in Malta Islands, in southern Italy and in some localities of central and northern Italy. Moreover, the area of the Salento Peninsula has also been hit by several low-energy and a few high-energy earthquakes over the last centuries; the instrumental recent seismicity is mainly concentrated in the western sector of the peninsula and in the Otranto Channel. The Salento area has also experienced destructive seismicity of neighboring regions in Italy (the Gargano Promontory in northern Apulia, the Southern Apennines chain, the Calabrian Arc) and in the Balkan Peninsula (Greece and Albania). Accordingly, a critical analysis of several documentary and historical sources, as well as of the geologic–geomorphologic ground effects due to the strong 1743 Salento earthquake, has been carried out by the authors in this paper; the final purpose has been to re-evaluate the 1743 MCS macroseismic intensities and to provide a list of newly classified localities according to the ESI-07 scale on the base of recognized Earthquake Environmental Effects. The result is a quite different damage scenario due to this earthquake that could raise the seismic potential currently recognized for the Salento area, and consequently upgrade the seismic hazard classification of the Salento. Indeed it is important to remind that currently, despite the intense earthquake activity recorded not only in the Otranto Channel, but especially in Greece and Albania, this area is classified in the least dangerous category of the Seismic Classification of the Italian territory (IV category).

In this paper some extreme flooding events occurred in the Campania Region, particularly in the Salerno province since the XVI century, and in the Somma-Vesuvius volcanic complex since the beginning of the XX century, have been analyzed. Through a multidisciplinary approach based on detailed bibliographic and archival documents investigation, besides geologic-geomorphologic analyses, in GIS environment, the landslide distribution and frequency in the last centuries, inside these two areas, has been examined, jointly with the urbanization evolution for the Vesuvius area. In particular, seven flood events, the 1581, 1588, 1773, 1899, 1910, 1924 and the 1954 floods occurred in the Salerno province, have been studied in detail; while the alluvial phenomena occurred in the Somma-Vesuvius district, repeatedly affected by disastrous flood events, and occurred from 1906 to 2011, have been reported. Although this study is not exhaustive, it aims to contribute, illustrating a methodology for data searching and analyzing, to a correct assessment and reduction of hydrogeological risk in the Campania region.