MOLE: A multidisciplinary Observatory and Laboratory of experiments in Central Italy

Abstract

The structure and mechanics of active Low Angle Normal Faults (LANFs) have for decades been posing questions—in particular,if low angle normal faults accommodate crustal extension and if they generate large magnitude earthquakesor if they move aseismically. To shed new light on these challenging questions, MOLE intends to drill (down to 4–5 km an active U b - LANFin the Um bria-Marche sector of the northern Apennines and to establish a deep borehole observatory. The target site offers a unique opportunity to reach a LANF at drillable seismogenic depth to unravel the “low angle normal fault mechanical paradox”.