Seven missing damaging earthquakes in Upper Valtiberina (Central Italy) in 16th-18th century: research strategies and historical sources

Abstract

The Italian earthquake catalogue is considered to be fairly complete starting from the 17th century and for classes of earthquakes of magnitude greater than 5.5. However, dedicated historical research has highlighted the fact that even in areas believed to be well-recognised from the seismological standpoint, authoritative traces of local earthquakes that have caused damage may also emerge. In this study, we present the results of a pilot study performed for the Upper Valtiberina within the framework of the INGV research programmes in the years 1999-2001, expanded and revised in 2005. The study highlighted seven local medium intensity earthquakes, which nonetheless caused damage to buildings. Besides the results, which as a whole have allowed us to classify 18 effects in 6 sites, the research method adopted is also presented. It is a method applicable to other cases as well, where the chronological earthquake indicators are unknown, being capable of unearthing earthquakes unknown to the tradition of seismological studies and the catalogues in use. A selection of the manuscript sources used is presented in the Appendix.