Liquefaction structures induced by historical earthquakes along the Ionian coast of Sicily (southern Italy)

Abstract

The aim of this work is to present geological evidence of liquefactions triggered by earthquakes in eastern-Sicily and to analyze their characteristics. Liquefaction prone areas have been selected on the basis of the historical observations and by using aerial photographs, geological maps and field investigations.Though the difficulties caused by the intense human activity (urban settlement, industrial development, fluvial regimentation etc.), field investigations allowed us to recognize evidence of 2 liquefaction at several sites in the eastern flank of Mt. Etna and in the Catania plain to the south, where these phenomena are described by historical reports. In two sites we analyzed in details artificial exposures showing evidences of liquefaction features in the outcropping Holocene deposits: (1) the Minissale trench, in the Mascali area, and (2) the Agnone trench, in the Catania plain both placed onto the Gela foredeep.