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Paleoseismic investigations of historical liquefactions along the Ionian coast of Sicily
Author(s)
Language
English
Obiettivo Specifico
3.2. Tettonica attiva
Status
Published
JCR Journal
JCR Journal
Peer review journal
Yes
Title of the book
Issue/vol(year)
/13 (2009)
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Pages (printed)
68-79
Issued date
2009
Abstract
Eastern Sicily is an area where some of the most catastrophic earthquakes in Italian history occurred.
As reported by historical sources, these earthquakes induced liquefaction phenomena. In two areas
along the Ionian coast of Sicily we found liquefaction evidence in Holocene deposits. In the Minissale
site (east of Mount Etna), the observed liquefaction features can be related to the 1169 and 1693
earthquakes, while in the Agnone site (south of Catania), the deformational structures can be
tentatively associated to the 1542 and 1693 events. Both sites locate in areas where historical
liquefaction has been observed in the past, thus confirming the actual liquefaction susceptibility/
potential in this region. The evidence of repeated liquefaction events at the same site, highlights the
relevance of the paleoseismic approach for modeling the recurrence time and preparing scenarios of
seismic effects in eastern Sicily, where seismogenic sources are scantly defined.
As reported by historical sources, these earthquakes induced liquefaction phenomena. In two areas
along the Ionian coast of Sicily we found liquefaction evidence in Holocene deposits. In the Minissale
site (east of Mount Etna), the observed liquefaction features can be related to the 1169 and 1693
earthquakes, while in the Agnone site (south of Catania), the deformational structures can be
tentatively associated to the 1542 and 1693 events. Both sites locate in areas where historical
liquefaction has been observed in the past, thus confirming the actual liquefaction susceptibility/
potential in this region. The evidence of repeated liquefaction events at the same site, highlights the
relevance of the paleoseismic approach for modeling the recurrence time and preparing scenarios of
seismic effects in eastern Sicily, where seismogenic sources are scantly defined.
Sponsors
This work was funded by the Italian Civil Defence through INGV-DPC Project S2, grants
to MSB and PMDM.
to MSB and PMDM.
References
Ambraseys, N. N. [1988] ‘‘Engineering seismology,’’ Earthquake Engineering and Structural
Dynancics 17, 1–105.
Amick, D., Gelinas, R., Maurath, G., Cannon, H., Moor, D., Billington, E., and Kempinen, H.
[1990] ‘‘Paleoliquefaction features along the atlantic seabord,’’ U.S.N.R.C, Washington DC
20555 NRC FIN D 1682. NUREG/CR-5613 RA.
Berardi, R., Margottini, C., Molin, D. and Parisi, A. [1991] ‘‘Soil, liquefaction: Case histories in
Italy,’’ Tectonophysics 193, 141–164.
Bezerra, F. H. R., da Fonseca, V. P., Vita-Finzi, C., Lima-Filho, F. P., and Saadi, A. [2005]
‘‘Liquefaction-induced structures in quaternary alluvial gravels and gravelly sediments, NE
Brazil,’’ Engineering Geology 76, 191–208.
Boschi, E., Guidoboni, E., Ferrari, G., Gasperini, P., Mariotti, D., and Valensise, G. [2000]
‘‘Catalogue of strong Italian earthquakes from 461 a.C. to 1997,’’ Annals of Geophysics 43(4),
843–868 and CD-ROM.
De Martini, P. M., Burrato, P., Pantosti, D., Ma ramai, A., Graziani, L., and Abramson, H. [2003]
‘‘Identification of tsunami deposits and liquefaction features in the Gargano Area (Italy):
Paleoseismological implication,’’ Annals of Geophysics 46(5), 883–902.
Di Stefano, A. and Branca, S. [2002] ‘‘Long term uplift of the Etnean basement (Southern Italy)
based on biochronological data from Pleistocene sediments,’’ Terra Nova 14, 61–68.
Ferritto, J. M. [1997] ‘‘Seismic design criteria for soil liquefaction,’’ Naval Facilities Engineering
Services Center Technical Report TR-2077-SHR.
Galadini, F., Galli, P., and Giraudi, C. [1995] ‘‘Individuazioni ed analisi di deformazioni geologiche
associate a liquefazioni indotte da terremoti,’’ Convegno Gruppo Nazionale Geologia Applicata,
Messina, 1995.
Galli, P. [2000] ‘‘New empirical relationships between magnitude and distance for liquefaction,’’
Tectonophysics 324, 169–187.
Galli, P. and Ferreli, L. [1995] ‘‘A methodological approach for historical liquefaction research,’’
In: Serva, L., Slemmons, B., Eds., Perspectives in Paleoseismology, Association of Engineering
Geologists Special Publication 6, 36–48.
Galli, P. and Meloni, F. [1993] ‘‘Nuovo catalogo nazionale dei processi di liquefazione avvenuti in
occasione dei terremoti storici in Italia,’’ Il Quaternario 6, 271–292.
Galli, P. and Velona`, M. [1991] ‘‘Liquefazione storica di terreni sabbiosi durante i passati terremoti,’’
ISMES Report RAT-CGA-0023, 29 pp.
Galli, P., Meloni, F., and Rossi, A. [1999] ‘‘Historical liquefaction in Italy: Relationship between
epicentral distance and seismic parameters,’’ European Geophysical Society XXIIII General
Assembly Natural Hazards NH3, The Hague, Netherlands, 19–23 April.
Lanzafame, G., Leopardi, A. and Neri, M. [1999] ‘‘Nota presentata nella seduta del 23 Aprile
1999,’’ dal Corrisp. Wezel F. C., Rend. Fis. Acc. Lincei s. 9, 10, 63–80.
Longhitano, S. and Colella, A. [2007] ‘‘Geomorphology, Sedimentology and recent evolution of the
anthropogenically modified Simeto River delta system (Eastern Sicily, Italy),’’ Sedimentary
Geology 194, 195–221.
Moretti, M. [2000] ‘‘Soft-sediment deformation structures interpreted as seismites in middle-late
Pleistocene aeolian deposits (Apulian foreland, southern Italy),’’ Sedimentary Geology 135,
167–179.
Obermeier, S. F. [1996] ‘‘Use of liquefaction-induced features for Paleoseismic analysis— An
overview of how seismic liquefaction features can be distinguished from other features and
how their regional distribution and properties of source sediment can be used to infer the
location and strength of holocene Paleo-earthquakes,’’ Engineering Geology 44, 1–76.
Pirrotta, C., Barbano, M. S., Guarnieri, P. and Gerardi, F. [2007] ‘‘New empirical relationships
between magnitude/intensity and epicentral distance for liquefaction in Eastern Sicily,’’ Annals
of Geophyics 50(6), 763–774.
Russ, D. P. [1982] ‘‘Style and significance of surface deformation in the vicinity of New Madrid,
Missouri,’’ In: McKeown F. A. and Pakiser L. C., eds. Investigations of the New Madrid,
Missouri, Earthquake Region, U. S. Geological Survey Prof. Paper 1236, 95–114.
Saucier, R. T. [1989] ‘‘Evidence for episodic sand-blow activity during the 1811–1812 New Madrid
(Missouri) Earthquake Series,’’ Geology 17, 103–106.
Sauret, B. and Bousquet, J. C. [1984] ‘‘Manifestations d’instabilite du sol dans la zone
epicentrale du seisme de Messine de 1908 le role de la liquefaction,’’ Mouvements de
terrains 83, 63–74.
Seed, H. B. [1979] ‘‘Soil liquefaction and cyclic mobility evaluation for level ground during
earthquakes,’’ Proc. Am. Soc. Civil Engin, Journal Geotechnicat Enginerring 105, 201–255.
Stuiver M. and Reimer, P. J. [2005] Radiocarbon calibration program CALIB REV5.0.2, copyright,
available at http://calib.cub.ac.uk/calib/
Talwani, P. and Cox, J. [1985] ‘‘Paleoseismic evidence for recurrence of earthquakes near
Charleston, South Carolina,’’ Science 229, 379–381.
Valera, J. E., Traubenik, M. L., Egan, J. A. and Kaneshiro, J. Y. [1994] ‘‘A practical perspective on
liquefaction of gravels,’’ In: Prakash, S. and Dakoulas, P., eds., Ground Failures Under Seismic
Conditions, American Civil Engineers Geotechnical Special Publication 44, 241–257.
Wong, R. T., Seed, H. B. and Chan, C. K. [1975] ‘‘Cyclic loading liquefaction of gravelly soils,’’
Journal of Geotechnical Engineering ASCE 101(GT6), 571–582.
Working Group CPTI [2004] ‘‘Catalogo parametrico dei terremoti italiani, versione 2004,’’
CPTI04, INGV, Bologna, Internet at http://emidius.mi.ingv.it/CPTI/.
Youd, T. L. [1977] ‘‘Discussion of ‘Brief review of liquefaction during earthquakes in Japan, by
Kuribayashi, E. and Tatsuoka, F., 1975, in Soil and Foundations 15, 81–92.’’ Soil and
Foundations 17, 82–85.
Dynancics 17, 1–105.
Amick, D., Gelinas, R., Maurath, G., Cannon, H., Moor, D., Billington, E., and Kempinen, H.
[1990] ‘‘Paleoliquefaction features along the atlantic seabord,’’ U.S.N.R.C, Washington DC
20555 NRC FIN D 1682. NUREG/CR-5613 RA.
Berardi, R., Margottini, C., Molin, D. and Parisi, A. [1991] ‘‘Soil, liquefaction: Case histories in
Italy,’’ Tectonophysics 193, 141–164.
Bezerra, F. H. R., da Fonseca, V. P., Vita-Finzi, C., Lima-Filho, F. P., and Saadi, A. [2005]
‘‘Liquefaction-induced structures in quaternary alluvial gravels and gravelly sediments, NE
Brazil,’’ Engineering Geology 76, 191–208.
Boschi, E., Guidoboni, E., Ferrari, G., Gasperini, P., Mariotti, D., and Valensise, G. [2000]
‘‘Catalogue of strong Italian earthquakes from 461 a.C. to 1997,’’ Annals of Geophysics 43(4),
843–868 and CD-ROM.
De Martini, P. M., Burrato, P., Pantosti, D., Ma ramai, A., Graziani, L., and Abramson, H. [2003]
‘‘Identification of tsunami deposits and liquefaction features in the Gargano Area (Italy):
Paleoseismological implication,’’ Annals of Geophysics 46(5), 883–902.
Di Stefano, A. and Branca, S. [2002] ‘‘Long term uplift of the Etnean basement (Southern Italy)
based on biochronological data from Pleistocene sediments,’’ Terra Nova 14, 61–68.
Ferritto, J. M. [1997] ‘‘Seismic design criteria for soil liquefaction,’’ Naval Facilities Engineering
Services Center Technical Report TR-2077-SHR.
Galadini, F., Galli, P., and Giraudi, C. [1995] ‘‘Individuazioni ed analisi di deformazioni geologiche
associate a liquefazioni indotte da terremoti,’’ Convegno Gruppo Nazionale Geologia Applicata,
Messina, 1995.
Galli, P. [2000] ‘‘New empirical relationships between magnitude and distance for liquefaction,’’
Tectonophysics 324, 169–187.
Galli, P. and Ferreli, L. [1995] ‘‘A methodological approach for historical liquefaction research,’’
In: Serva, L., Slemmons, B., Eds., Perspectives in Paleoseismology, Association of Engineering
Geologists Special Publication 6, 36–48.
Galli, P. and Meloni, F. [1993] ‘‘Nuovo catalogo nazionale dei processi di liquefazione avvenuti in
occasione dei terremoti storici in Italia,’’ Il Quaternario 6, 271–292.
Galli, P. and Velona`, M. [1991] ‘‘Liquefazione storica di terreni sabbiosi durante i passati terremoti,’’
ISMES Report RAT-CGA-0023, 29 pp.
Galli, P., Meloni, F., and Rossi, A. [1999] ‘‘Historical liquefaction in Italy: Relationship between
epicentral distance and seismic parameters,’’ European Geophysical Society XXIIII General
Assembly Natural Hazards NH3, The Hague, Netherlands, 19–23 April.
Lanzafame, G., Leopardi, A. and Neri, M. [1999] ‘‘Nota presentata nella seduta del 23 Aprile
1999,’’ dal Corrisp. Wezel F. C., Rend. Fis. Acc. Lincei s. 9, 10, 63–80.
Longhitano, S. and Colella, A. [2007] ‘‘Geomorphology, Sedimentology and recent evolution of the
anthropogenically modified Simeto River delta system (Eastern Sicily, Italy),’’ Sedimentary
Geology 194, 195–221.
Moretti, M. [2000] ‘‘Soft-sediment deformation structures interpreted as seismites in middle-late
Pleistocene aeolian deposits (Apulian foreland, southern Italy),’’ Sedimentary Geology 135,
167–179.
Obermeier, S. F. [1996] ‘‘Use of liquefaction-induced features for Paleoseismic analysis— An
overview of how seismic liquefaction features can be distinguished from other features and
how their regional distribution and properties of source sediment can be used to infer the
location and strength of holocene Paleo-earthquakes,’’ Engineering Geology 44, 1–76.
Pirrotta, C., Barbano, M. S., Guarnieri, P. and Gerardi, F. [2007] ‘‘New empirical relationships
between magnitude/intensity and epicentral distance for liquefaction in Eastern Sicily,’’ Annals
of Geophyics 50(6), 763–774.
Russ, D. P. [1982] ‘‘Style and significance of surface deformation in the vicinity of New Madrid,
Missouri,’’ In: McKeown F. A. and Pakiser L. C., eds. Investigations of the New Madrid,
Missouri, Earthquake Region, U. S. Geological Survey Prof. Paper 1236, 95–114.
Saucier, R. T. [1989] ‘‘Evidence for episodic sand-blow activity during the 1811–1812 New Madrid
(Missouri) Earthquake Series,’’ Geology 17, 103–106.
Sauret, B. and Bousquet, J. C. [1984] ‘‘Manifestations d’instabilite du sol dans la zone
epicentrale du seisme de Messine de 1908 le role de la liquefaction,’’ Mouvements de
terrains 83, 63–74.
Seed, H. B. [1979] ‘‘Soil liquefaction and cyclic mobility evaluation for level ground during
earthquakes,’’ Proc. Am. Soc. Civil Engin, Journal Geotechnicat Enginerring 105, 201–255.
Stuiver M. and Reimer, P. J. [2005] Radiocarbon calibration program CALIB REV5.0.2, copyright,
available at http://calib.cub.ac.uk/calib/
Talwani, P. and Cox, J. [1985] ‘‘Paleoseismic evidence for recurrence of earthquakes near
Charleston, South Carolina,’’ Science 229, 379–381.
Valera, J. E., Traubenik, M. L., Egan, J. A. and Kaneshiro, J. Y. [1994] ‘‘A practical perspective on
liquefaction of gravels,’’ In: Prakash, S. and Dakoulas, P., eds., Ground Failures Under Seismic
Conditions, American Civil Engineers Geotechnical Special Publication 44, 241–257.
Wong, R. T., Seed, H. B. and Chan, C. K. [1975] ‘‘Cyclic loading liquefaction of gravelly soils,’’
Journal of Geotechnical Engineering ASCE 101(GT6), 571–582.
Working Group CPTI [2004] ‘‘Catalogo parametrico dei terremoti italiani, versione 2004,’’
CPTI04, INGV, Bologna, Internet at http://emidius.mi.ingv.it/CPTI/.
Youd, T. L. [1977] ‘‘Discussion of ‘Brief review of liquefaction during earthquakes in Japan, by
Kuribayashi, E. and Tatsuoka, F., 1975, in Soil and Foundations 15, 81–92.’’ Soil and
Foundations 17, 82–85.
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