Real time Gutenberg–Richter b-value estimation for an ongoing seismic sequence: an application to the 2022 marche offshore earthquake sequence (ML 5.7 central Italy)

We estimate the b-value parameter of the Gutenberg–Richter law for earthquake magnitudes in
the early stage of the Costa Marchigiana (Italy) seismic sequence, starting on 2022 November
9, with an ML 5.7 event in the Adriatic sea. In particular, we estimate both the completeness
magnitude Mc and the b-value within the first 4 and 7 d after the initial strong event in the
sequence. Our work represents a practical example of b-value estimation in ‘true’ real time,
that is, during the seismic sequence, and its possible interpretation in terms of short-term
forecasting. We highlight some critical issues to consider both in estimating/intepreting the
b-value, and in evaluating the real time estimation of Mc. These issues are mainly due to
the fact that preliminary catalogues available in real time are quite different from the revised
ones, which are usually delivered after a few months. The criticalities are linked to the raw
data recorded at an early-stage, an unreliable evaluation of the Mc with statistical approaches,
the Short Term Aftershock Incompleteness entailed after the initial strong event, and the
magnitude binning. Our results show that real time estimation of the b-value can give insights
into the evolution of an ongoing seismic sequence, when attention is paid to data quality and
quantity.

This article has been accepted for publication in Geophysical Journal International ©:The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy.
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