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The stress field in Europe: optimal orientations with confidence limits

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Title: The stress field in Europe: optimal orientations with confidence limits Authors: Carafa, M. M. C.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia; Barba, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia Abstract: In this study, we modify and extend a data analysis technique to determine the stress orientations between data clusters by adding an additional constraint governing the probability algorithm. We apply this technique to produce a map of the maximum horizontal compressive stress (S_Hmax) orientations in the greater European region (including Europe, Turkey and Mediterranean Africa). Using the World Stress Map dataset release 2008, we obtain analytical probability distributions of the directional differences as a function of the angular distance, θ. We then multiply the probability distributions that are based on pre-averaged data within θ<3° of the interpolation point and determine the maximum likelihood estimate of the S_Hmax orientation. At a given distance, the probability of obtaining a particular discrepancy decreases exponentially with discrepancy. By exploiting this feature observed in the World Stress Map release 2008 dataset, we increase the robustness of our S_Hmax determinations. For a reliable determination of the most likely S_Hmax orientation, we require that 90% confidence limits be less than ±60° and a minimum of three clusters, which is achieved for 57% of the study area, with small uncertainties of less than ±10° for 7% of the area. When the data density exceeds 0.8×10^-3 data/km2, our method provides a means of reproducing significant local patterns in the stress field. Several mountain ranges in the Mediterranean display 90° changes in the S_Hmax orientation from their crests (which often experience normal faulting) and their foothills (which often experience thrust faulting). This pattern constrains the tectonic stresses to a magnitude similar to that of the topographic stresses. Description: This article has been accepted for publication in Geophysical Journal International ©: The Authors 2003. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Royal Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.

Comparison of characteristic and Gutenberg–Richter models for time-dependentM ≥ 7.9 earthquake probability in the Nankai-Tokai subduction zone, Japan

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Title: Comparison of characteristic and Gutenberg–Richter models for time-dependentM ≥ 7.9 earthquake probability in the Nankai-Tokai subduction zone, Japan Authors: Parsons, T.; U.S. Geological Survey, MS-999, 345 Middlefield Rd. Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; Console, R.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia; Falcone, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Murru, M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia; Yamashina, K.; Earthquake Research Institute (ERI), University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113–0032, Japan Abstract: Earthquake forecasts are usually underinformed, and can be plagued by uncertainty in terms of the most appropriate model, and parameter values used in that model. In this paper, we explore the application of two different models to the same seismogenic area. The first is a renewal model based on the characteristic earthquake hypothesis that uses historical/palaeoseismic recurrence times, and fixed rupture geometries. The hazard rate is modified by the Coulomb static stress change caused by nearby earthquakes that occurred since the latest characteristic earthquake. The second model is a very simple earthquake simulator based on plate-motion, or fault-slip rates and adoption of a Gutenberg–Richter magnitude–frequency distribution. This information is commonly available even if historical and palaeoseismic recurrence data are lacking. The intention is to develop and assess a simulator that has a very limited parameter set that could be used to calculate earthquake rates in settings that are not as rich with observations of large-earthquake recurrence behaviour as the Nankai trough. We find that the use of convergence rate as a primary constraint allows the simulator to replicate much of the spatial distribution of observed segmented rupture rates along the Nankai, Tonankai and Tokai subduction zones. Although we note rate differences between the two forecast methods in the Tokai zone, we also see enough similarities between simulations and observations to suggest that very simple earthquake rupture simulations based on empirical data and fundamental earthquake laws could be useful forecast tools in information-poor settings.

How do volcanic rift zones relate to flank instability? Evidence from collapsing rifts at Etna

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Title: How do volcanic rift zones relate to flank instability? Evidence from collapsing rifts at Etna Authors: Ruch, J.; Dipartimento Scienze Geologiche, Università Roma Tre, Roma, Italy; Pepe, S.; National Research Council (CNR), Istituto per il Rilevamento Elettromagnetico dell'Ambiente (IREA), Napoli, Italy; Casu, F.; National Research Council (CNR), Istituto per il Rilevamento Elettromagnetico dell'Ambiente (IREA), Napoli, Italy; Acocella, V.; Dipartimento Scienze Geologiche, Università Roma Tre, Roma, Italy; Neri, M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Catania, Catania, Italia; Solaro, G.; National Research Council (CNR), Istituto per il Rilevamento Elettromagnetico dell'Ambiente (IREA), Napoli, Italy; Sansosti, E.; National Research Council (CNR), Istituto per il Rilevamento Elettromagnetico dell'Ambiente (IREA), Napoli, Italy Abstract: Volcanic rift zones, characterized by repeated dike emplacements, are expected to delimit the upper portion of unstable flanks at basaltic edifices. We use nearly two decades of InSAR observations excluding wintertime acquisitions, to analyze the relationships between rift zones, dike emplacement and flank instability at Etna. The results highlight a general eastward shift of the volcano summit, including the northeast and south rifts. This steadystate eastward movement (1-2 cm/yr) is interrupted or even reversed during transient dike injections. Detailed analysis of the northeast rift shows that only during phases of dike injection, as in 2002, does the rift transiently becomes the upper border of the unstable flank. The flank's steady-state eastward movement is inferred to result from the interplay between magmatic activity, asymmetric topographic unbuttressing, and east-dipping detachment geometry at its base. This study documents the first evidence of steady-state volcano rift instability interrupted by transient dike injection at basaltic edifices.

A pilot GIS database of active faults of Mt. Etna (Sicily): A tool for integrated hazard evaluation

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Title: A pilot GIS database of active faults of Mt. Etna (Sicily): A tool for integrated hazard evaluation Authors: Barreca, G.; Università degli Studi di Catania, Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali, Sez. Scienze della Terra, Italy; Bonforte, A.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Catania, Catania, Italia; Neri, M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Catania, Catania, Italia Abstract: A pilot GIS-based system has been implemented for the assessment and analysis of hazard related to active faults affecting the eastern and southern flanks of Mt. Etna. The system structure was developed in ArcGis® environment and consists of different thematic datasets that include spatially-referenced arc-features and associated database. Arc-type features, georeferenced into WGS84 Ellipsoid UTM zone 33 Projection, represent the five main fault systems that develop in the analysed region. The backbone of the GIS-based system is constituted by the large amount of information which was collected from the literature and then stored and properly geocoded in a digital database. This consists of thirty five alpha-numeric fields which include all fault parameters available from literature such us location, kinematics, landform, slip rate, etc. Although the system has been implemented according to the most common procedures used by GIS developer, the architecture and content of the database represent a pilot backbone for digital storing of fault parameters, providing a powerful tool in modelling hazard related to the active tectonics of Mt. Etna. The database collects, organises and shares all scientific currently available information about the active faults of the volcano. Furthermore, thanks to the strong effort spent on defining the fields of the database, the structure proposed in this paper is open to the collection of further data coming from future improvements in the knowledge of the fault systems. By layering additional user-specific geographic information and managing the proposed database (topological querying) a great diversity of hazard and vulnerability maps can be produced by the user. This is a proposal of a backbone for a comprehensive geographical database of fault systems, universally applicable to other sites.

Evidence for a recent change in the shallow plumbing system of Mt. Etna (Italy): Gas geochemistry and structural data during 2001–2005

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Title: Evidence for a recent change in the shallow plumbing system of Mt. Etna (Italy): Gas geochemistry and structural data during 2001–2005 Authors: Giammanco, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Catania, Catania, Italia; Neri, M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Catania, Catania, Italia; Salerno, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Catania, Catania, Italia; Caltabiano, T.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Catania, Catania, Italia; Burton, M. R.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Pisa, Pisa, Italia; Longo, V.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Catania, Catania, Italia Abstract: We analyzed crater SO2 fluxes from Mt Etna, together with soil CO2 effluxes from the volcano's flanks, in the period from 2001 to 2005. Between the 2001 and 2002–2003 eruptions, persistently low values of both parameters suggest that no new gas-rich magma was accumulating at shallow depth (b5 km) within Etna's central conduit, whereas very high SO2 sin-eruptive fluxes during the two eruptions indicated sudden decompression of an un-degassed magma rising along newly-formed eccentric conduits. In November 2003, soil CO2 data indicate migration of gas-rich magma from deep (>10 km) to shallow (b5 km) portions of the feeding conduits, preceded by an increase in crater SO2 fluxes. A similar behavior was observed also during and after the following 2004–2005 eruption. This degassing style matches a period of increased structural instability of the volcanic edifice caused by acceleration of spreading that affected both its eastern and southern flanks. Spreading could have triggered progressively deeper depressurization in the central conduit, inducing release of the more soluble gas (SO2) first, and then of CO2, contrary to what was observed before the 2001 eruption. This suggests that the edifice has depressurized, promoting ascent of fresh-magma and increasing permeability favouring release of CO2 flux. By integrating geochemical and structural data, previous degassing models developed at Mt. Etna have been updated to advance the understanding of eruptive events that occurred in recent years.

An overview of experimental models to understand a complex volcanic instability: Application to Mount Etna, Italy

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Title: An overview of experimental models to understand a complex volcanic instability: Application to Mount Etna, Italy Authors: Acocella, V.; Dipartimento di Scienze Geologiche, Università Roma tre, Roma, Italy; Neri, M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Catania, Catania, Italia; Norini, G.; Istituto per la Dinamica dei Processi Ambientali, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Dalmine, Italy Abstract: Volcanic edifices are often unable to support their own load, triggering the instability of their flanks. Many analogue models have been aimed, especially in the last decade, at understanding the processes leading to volcano flank instability; general behaviors were defined and the experimental results were compared to nature. However, available data at well-studied unstable volcanoes may allow a deeper understanding of the specific processes leading to instability, providing insights also at the local scale. Etna (Italy) constitutes a suitable example for such a possibility, because of its well-monitored flank instability, for which different triggering factors have been proposed in the last two decades. Among these factors, recent InSAR data highlight the role played by magmatic intrusions and a weak basement, under a differential unbuttressing at the volcano base. This study considers original and recently published experimental data to test these factors possibly responsible for flank instability, with the final aim to better understand and summarize the conditions leading to flank instability at Etna. In particular, we simulate the following processes: a) the longterm activity of a lithospheric boundary, as the Malta Escarpment, separating the Ionian oceanic lithosphere from the continental Sicilian lithosphere, below the most unstable east flank of the volcano; b) spreading due to a weak basement, with different boundary conditions; c) the pressurization of a magmatic reservoir, as that active during the 1994–2001 inflation period; d) dike emplacement, as observed during the major 2001 and 2002–2003 eruptions. The experimental results suggest that: 1) the long-term activity of a lithospheric tectonic boundary may create a topographic slope which provides a differential buttressing at the volcano base, a preparing factor to drive longer-term (>105 years) instability on the east flank of the volcano; 2) volcano spreading (b104 years) has limited effect on flank instability at Etna; 3) magmatic intrusions (b101 years), both in the form of Mogi-like sources or dikes, provide the most important conditions to trigger flank instability on the shorter-term.

IMAGING THE ACTIVE STRESS FIELD OF THREE SEISMOGENIC AREAS ALONG THE APENNINES AS REVEALED BY CRUSTAL ANISOTROPY

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:00:00 GMT

Title: IMAGING THE ACTIVE STRESS FIELD OF THREE SEISMOGENIC AREAS ALONG THE APENNINES AS REVEALED BY CRUSTAL ANISOTROPY Authors: Pastori, Marina; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione CNT, Roma, Italia; Margheriti, Lucia; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione CNT, Roma, Italia; Piccinini, Davide; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Pisa, Pisa, Italia; De Gori, Pasquale; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione CNT, Roma, Italia; Di Bucci, Daniela; Dipartimento della Protezione Civile; Barchi, Massimiliano R.; Università degli studi di Perugia Editors: seno, silvio; Università di Pavia Abstract: During the last decades, the study of seismic anisotropy has provided useful information for the interpretation and evaluation of the stress field and active crustal deformation. Seismic anisotropy can yield valuable information on upper crustal structure, fracture field, and presence of fluid-saturated rocks crossed by shear waves. Several studies worldwide demonstrate that seismic anisotropy is related to stress-aligned, filled-fluid micro-cracks (EDA model). An automatic analysis code, “Anisomat+”, was developed, tested and improved to calculate the anisotropic parameters: fast polarization direction (φ) and delay time (∂t). Anisomat+ has been compared to other two automatic analysis codes (SPY and SHEBA) and tested on three zones of the Apennines (Val d’Agri, Tiber Valley and L’Aquila surroundings). The anisotropic parameters, resulting from the automatic computation, have been interpreted to determine the fracture field geometries; for each area, we defined the dominant fast direction and the intensity of the anisotropy, interpreting these results in the light of the geological and structural setting and of two anisotropic interpretative models, proposed in the literature. In the first one, proposed by Zinke and Zoback, the local stress field and cracks are aligned by tectonics phases and are not necessarily related to the presently active stress field. Therefore the anisotropic parameters variations are only space-dependent. In the second, EDA model, and its development in the APE model fluid-filled micro-cracks are aligned or ‘opened’ by the active stress field and the variation of the stress field might be related to the evolution of the pore pressure in time; therefore in this case the variation of the anisotropic parameters are both space- and time- dependent. We recognized that the average of fast directions, in the three selected areas, are oriented NW-SE, in agreement with the orientation of the active stress field, as suggested by the EDA model, but also, by the proposed by Zinke and Zoback model; in fact, NW-SE direction corresponds also to the strike of the main fault structures in the three study regions. The mean values of the magnitude of the normalized delay time range from 0.005 s/km to 0.007 s/km and to 0.009 s/km, respectively for the L'Aquila (AQU) area, the High Tiber Valley (ATF) and the Val d'Agri (VA), suggesting a 3-4% of crustal anisotropy. In each area are also examined the spatial and temporal distribution of anisotropic parameters, which lead to some innovative observations, listed below. 1) The higher values of normalized delay times have been observed in those zones where most of the seismic events occur. This aspect was further investigated, by evaluating the average seismic rate, in a time period, between years 2005 and 2010, longer than the lapse of time, analyzed in the anisotropic studies. This comparison has highlighted that the value of the normalised delay time is larger where the seismicity rate is higher. 2) In the Alto Tiberina Fault area the higher values of normalised delay time are not only related to the presence of a high seismicity rate but also to the presence of a tectonically doubled carbonate succession. Therefore, also the lithology, plays a important role in hosting and preserving the micro-fracture network responsible for the anisotropic field. 3) The observed temporal variations of anisotropic parameters, have been observed and related to the fluctuation of pore fluid pressure at depth possibly induced by different mechanisms in the different regions, for instance, changes in the water table level in Val D’Agri, occurrence of the April 6th Mw=6.1 earthquake in L’Aquila.Since these variations have been recognized, it is possible to affirm that the models that better fit the results, both in term of fast directions and of delay times, seems to be EDA and APE models.

crustal fracturing field and presence of fluid as revealed by seismic anisotropy: case-histories from seismogenic areas in the Apennines

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:00:00 GMT

Title: crustal fracturing field and presence of fluid as revealed by seismic anisotropy: case-histories from seismogenic areas in the Apennines Authors: Pastori, Marina; Università degli studi di Perugia Abstract: During the last decades, the study of seismic anisotropy has provided useful information for the interpretation and evaluation of the stress field and active crustal deformation. Seismic anisotropy can yield valuable information on upper crustal structure, fracture field, and presence of fluid-saturated rocks crossed by shear waves. Several studies worldwide demonstrate that seismic anisotropy is related to stress-aligned, filled-fluid micro-cracks (EDA model, Crampin et al., 1984b; Crampin, 1993). The seismic anisotropy is an almost ubiquitous property of the Earth and the Shear Wave Splitting is the most unambiguous indicator of anisotropy, but the automatic estimation of the splitting parameters is difficult because the effect of the anisotropy on a seismogram is a second order, not easily detectable effect. Different researchers developed automated techniques aimed to study the Shear Wave Splitting: in this study, the results of different codes are compared in order to evaluate the best method for automatic anisotropy evaluation. In the last three years, an automatic analysis code, “Anisomat+”, was developed, tested and improved to calculate the anisotropic parameters: fast polarization direction () and delay time (∂t). “Anisomat+” consists of a set of MatLab scripts able to retrieve automatically crustal anisotropy parameters from three-component seismic recordings of local earthquakes. It needs waveforms and hypocentral parameters in the format routinely archived by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV). The code uses horizontal component cross-correlation method: a mathematical algorithm aimed to measure the similarity of the pulse shape between two shear waves. Anisomat+ has been compared to other two automatic analysis codes (SPY and SHEBA) and tested on three zones of the Apennines (Val d’Agri, Tiber Valley and L’Aquila surroundings). It was observed that, if the number of measures is large enough, at each station the average values of the parameters (fast direction and delay time) are comparable. The main goal in developing of an automatic code was to have tool able to work on a big amount of data, in a short time, by reducing the errors due to the subjectivity. These two acquirements are very useful and are the basis to develop a quasi real-time monitoring of the anisotropic parameters. The anisotropic parameters, resulting from the automatic computation, have been interpreted to determine the fracture field geometries; for each area, I defined the dominant fast direction and the intensity of the anisotropy, interpreting these results in the light of the geological and structural setting and of two anisotropic interpretative models, proposed in the literature. In the first one, proposed by Zinke and Zoback (2000), the local stress field and cracks are aligned by tectonics phases and are not necessarily related to the presently active stress field. Therefore the anisotropic parameters variations are only space-dependent. In the second, EDA model (Crampin, 1993), and its development in the APE model (Zatsepin and Crampin, 1995) fluid-filled micro-cracks are aligned or ‘opened’ by the active stress field and the variation of the stress field might be related to the evolution of the pore pressure in time; therefore in this case the variation of the anisotropic parameters are both space- and time- dependent. I recognized that the average of fast directions, in the three selected areas, are oriented NW-SE, in agreement with the orientation of the active stress field, as suggested by the EDA model, proposed by Crampin (1993), but also, by the proposed by Zinke and Zoback model; in fact, NW-SE direction corresponds also to the strike of the main fault structures in the three study regions. The mean values of the magnitude of the normalized delay time range from 0.005 s/km to 0.007 s/km and to 0.009 s/km, respectively for the L'Aquila (AQU) area, the High Tiber Valley (ATF) and the Val d'Agri (VA), suggesting a 3-4% of crustal anisotropy (Piccinini et al., 2006). In each area are also examined the spatial and temporal distribution of anisotropic parameters, which lead to some innovative observations, listed below. o The higher values of normalized delay times have been observed in those zones where most of the seismic events occur. This aspect was further investigated, by evaluating the average seismic rate, in a time period, between years 2005 and 2010, longer than the lapse of time, analyzed in the anisotropic studies. This comparison has highlighted that the value of the normalised delay time is larger where the seismicity rate is higher. o In the Alto Tiberina Fault area the higher values of normalised delay time are not only related to the presence of a high seismicity rate but also to the presence of a tectonically doubled carbonate succession. Therefore, also the lithology, plays a important role in hosting and preserving the micro-fracture network responsible for the anisotropic field. o The observed temporal variations of anisotropic parameters, have been observed and related to the fluctuation of pore fluid pressure at depth possibly induced by different mechanisms in the different regions, for instance, changes in the water table level in Val D’Agri (Valoroso et al., GJI submitted), occurrence of the April 6th Mw=6.1 earthquake in L’Aquila (Lucente et al., 2010). Since these variations have been recognized, it is possible to affirm that the models that better fit my results, both in term of fast directions and of delay times, seems to be those proposed by Crampin (1993) and Zatsepin & Crampin (1995), respectively EDA and APE models.

Project S1: Analysis of the seismic potential in Italy for the evaluation of the seismic hazard

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT

Title: Project S1: Analysis of the seismic potential in Italy for the evaluation of the seismic hazard Authors: Barba, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia; Doglioni, C.; Sapienza Università di Roma Abstract: The project S1 was aimed at (a) collecting new data and to update the existing databases needed to quantify seismic hazard; (b) promoting new studies on specific fields of knowledge and less-explored areas of Italy; (c) testing new approaches to evaluate seismic potential; (d) bounding slip rate values to use within probabilistic hazard estimates; and (e) preparing the way towards a future seismic hazard map of Italy. It was designed with three scientific parts – nationwide basic data, rheology, and field studies – and implemented into four tasks: 1) earthquake geodesy and modeling, 2) seismological data and earthquake statistics, 3) earthquake geology, and 4) tsunamis. Although with many difficulties and some delay, described in the appropriate section, all the above objectives have generally been accomplished. New observations were collected through original fieldwork and more sophisticated analyses were performed on existing data. Datasets needed for the seismic hazard estimates were updated at various levels by reducing both epistemic and aleatory uncertainties. New studies were carried out on specific fields of knowledge, e.g. addressing the repeatability of geodetic and stress data measurements or the seismogenic behavior of misoriented faults. Studies on less-explored areas were stimulated, and faults, whose seismic potential was not previously accounted for, were mapped and/or parameterized in the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, in Calabria, Sicily and the Southwestern Alps. Independent approaches to evaluate the seismic potential were tested, and a large effort toward homogenization and verifiability was made. The substantial improvements of nationwide datasets and understanding of the tectonic processes in large areas of the country set the basis for a significantly better assessment of seismic hazard.

The Italian present-day stress map

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:00:00 GMT

Title: The Italian present-day stress map Authors: Montone, P.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia; Mariucci, M. T.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia; Pierdominici, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia Abstract: In this paper, we present a significant update of the Italian present-day stress data compilation not only to improve the knowledge on the tectonic setting of the region or to constrain future geodynamic models, but also to understand the mechanics of processes linked to faulting and earthquakes. In this paper, we have analysed, revised and collected new contemporary stress data from borehole breakouts and we have assembled earthquake and fault data. In total, 206 new quality-ranked entries complete the definition of the horizontal stress orientation and tectonic regime in some areas, and bring new information mainly in Sicily and along the Apenninic belt. Now the global Italian data set consists of 715 data points, including 499 of A–C quality, representing an increase of 37 per cent compared to the previous compilation. The alignment of horizontal stresses measured in some regions, closely matches the ∼N–S first- order stress field orientation of ongoing relative crustal motions between Eurasia and Africa plates. The Apenninic belt shows a diffuse extensional stress regime indicating a ∼NE–SW direction of extension, that we interpret as related to a second-order stress field. The horizontal stress rotations observed in peculiar areas reflect a complex interaction between first-order stress field and local effects revealing the importance of the tectonic structure orientations. In particular, in Sicily the new data delineate a more complete tectonic picture evidencing adjacent areas characterized by distinct stress regime: northern offshore of Sicily and in the Hyblean plateau the alignment of horizontal stresses is consistent with the crustal motions, whereas different directions have been observed along the belt and foredeep.