Comment on ‘Are the source models of the M 7.1 1908 Messina Straits earthquake reliable? Insights from a novel inversion and sensitivity analysis of levelling data’ by M. Aloisi, V. Bruno, F. Cannav ` o, L. Ferranti, M. Mattia, C. Monaco and M. Palano

Abstract

In a recent paper, important issues were raised about the identification of the fault responsible for the 1908 Messina Straits earthquake. Starting with a reanalysis of the available original geodetic data, the authors aimed to demonstrate that both of the fault–plane orientations derived by the focal mechanism are compatible with the measurements. On these grounds, and based on geological considerations, they argued in favour of the Armo fault—a high-angled structure on the Calabrian side of the Messina Straits—as responsible for the 1908 earthquake. We indicate here that their analysis has some pitfalls that produce questionable results, and that render their conclusions unreliable. Moreover, especially when dealing with such old events and data, we consider that it is more prudent not to derive conclusions on the basis of a single data set, as all of the available information should be included in any interpretation. Indeed, when the joint results of the seismological and geodetic analyses are taken into account, a consistent and robust source model can be derived that indicates that a low-angle, east-dipping fault is the most likely source of this 1908 Messina Straits earthquake