The Estimation of Earthquake Parameters in Europe by Using Macroseismic Data: Testing the MEEP Program

Abstract

In the frame of the NA-4 module of the European project NERIES, a specific task is devoted to the determination of earthquakes parameters from macroseismic data. On this regard, a new methodology, implemented in the program MEEP, has been developed by Musson et al. (see relevant presentation in this session). Here we present and discuss some tests performed by using the MEEP program in order to contribute to the setting up of the code and to validate the methodology itself. To this purpose, a set of earthquakes occurred in different regions of Europe and with different ranges of magnitude have been selected. In particular, the main aspects investigated here are: • reliability of estimates of epicentre location, magnitude and hypocentral depth compared with instrumental determinations; • comparison with epicentral parameters derived by using other methods based on macroseismic data; • sensitivity of the methodology to number and geographic distribution of available intensity data points (IDPs); • sensitivity to the calibration parameters requested by the program.

Results of this analysis suggested some modifications of the program