The origin of scarps in urban areas affected by active and capable normal faulting: only faults? Examples from the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake region (central Italy)

Abstract

We present the results of geological investigation and multi-temporal aerial pho- tographs analysis performed in the southern epicentral area of the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake; here, some geomorphic hints of active normal faulting are reported in the available literature, and based on which seismotectonic models are proposed. Our investigations pointed out that the supposed signatures of faulting are instead related to other natural or anthropogenic processes. Moreover, our study highlights that landforms supposed to be or actually related to structural features cannot be utilised tout court for active fault mapping in areas where many processes, togeth- er to or other than tectonics, concur to sculpt the landscape.