Maximum Observable Shaking (MOS) maps of Italy (Final report)

Abstract

We investigate wave motion through numerical simulations that take into account primarily the ground acceleration in response to a given earthquake rupture that radiates seismic waves. The shaking that potential sources might cause is plotted on maps that provide a general overview of the hazard over a large area, and that can be used as the starting point for further detailed investigations. Here, we establish a procedure to compute ground motion that spans the entire frequency range of engineering interest (i.e., broad-band), and we derive the maximum shaking that is caused by expected earthquakes throughout Italy (i.e. the maximum observable shaking; MOS). Our approaches merge updated knowledge of the Italian regional tectonic setting and of source-zone definitions (Valensise and Pantosti, 2001; Basili et al., 2008) and scenario-like calculations of the expected MOS in any given area.