Insights from the Mw 6.3, 2009 L?Aquila earthquake (central Apennines) - Unveiling new seismogenic sources through their surface signatures: the adjacent San Pio Fault

Abstract

We analyzed a broad region around L’Aquila in search of seismogenic faults similar to that responsible for the 6 April 2009 earthquake (Mw 6.3). Having the lessons learned from this earthquake in mind, we focused on adjacent areas displaying similar morphotectonic, geological and structural evidence. The basin running from Barisciano to Civitaretenga-Navelli, notably located near the southeastern edge of the 2009 aftershock pattern, appears to be one of such areas. We collected morphotectonic and structural data indicating that this basin is underlain by a major active normal fault (San Pio Fault). All the observations are very much reminiscent of the morphotectonic, geological and structural setting of area struck by the L’Aquila earthquake, suggesting that the newly identified fault has the potential for a Mw 6.2-6.4 shock.