Earthquake-induced landslide displacement attenuation models and application in probabilistic seismic landslide displacement analysis

A landslide displacement (DLL) attenuation model has been developed using spectral intensity and a ratio of critical acceleration coefficient to ground acceleration coefficient. In the development of the model,a New Zealand earthquake record data set with magnitudes ranging from 5.0 to 7.2 within a source distance of 175 km is used. The model can be used to carry out deterministic landslide displacement analysis,and readily extended to carry out probabilistic seismic landslide displacement analysis. DLL attenuation models have also been developed by using earthquake source terms,such as magnitude and source distance,that account for the effects of earthquake faulttype,source type,and site conditions. Sensitivity analyses show that the predicted DLL values from the new models are close to those from the Romeo model that was developed from an Italian earthquake record data set. The proposed models are also applied to an analysis of landslide displacements in the Wenchuan earthquake,and a comparison between the predicted and the observed results shows that the proposed models are reliable,and can be confidently used in mapping landslide potential.     

The 1997 Umbria-Marche (Italy) earthquake sequence: analysis of the data recorded by the local and temporary networks

We present some preliminary results obtained from thejoined analysis of the data collected by the permanentand the temporary networks operating in the area ofthe earthquake sequence that followed (andanticipated) the 26 September, Central Italy, mainshocks. In particular, these earthquake data haveallowed us to determine a well constrainedwave-velocity model (both P and S) with stationcorrections which demonstrated to produce robusthypocentral locations. These velocity modelswith station corrections have been used forre-locating the whole September 1997–July 1998subset of data of the permanent network, and theprevious background seismicity, starting from May1996. The focal mechanisms of the largest events werealso obtained from an analysis of the first-motionpolarities.Our results indicate that 1) the seismic activityaligns on a SE-NW trend for a total length of about50 km of extension; 2) the focal depth of theseevents is restricted to the range 0–9 km; 3) mostevents can be related to sub-parallel SW dipping faultplanes; 4) focal mechanisms of the largest shocks(M_L > 4) show a coherent behaviour, withnormal fault solution on SSE-NNW striking, SW dippingplanes; 5) the space-time evolution of the activitydisplays a discontinuous mode of energy release, withdifferent episodes of activation and an apparentclustering of aftershocks at the edges of the areaswhich presumably ruptured in the main shocks.     

A detailed analysis of two seismic sequences in Abruzzo, Central Apennines, Italy

A three-component digital seismic network has been installed along central Apennines since the end of 1991. Two seismic sequences having main shocks of magnitudes 3.9 and 3.7 were recorded in August 1992 and June 1994, respectively. A detailed analysis of these sequences, including multiplet relocation, fault-plane solutions and source parameter estimation, is performed in the present paper. A correlation analysis allowed us to recognize a number of correlated events in the two sequences which were used for relative locations using a master event technique. This analysis allowed to obtain a better alignment of epicentral data along two almost orthogonal directions, following an Apenninic and an anti-Apenninic trend. For the two sequences, fault-plane solutions were evaluated by using a first arrival technique, resulting in mechanisms with predominant normal faulting for the 1992 and 1994 swarms. S-wave polarization analysis allowed to check the stability of the previous solutions and to reduce their range of uncertainty. The same technique was also applied to derive the composite fault-plane solutions from the aftershocks, resulting in solutions which are in good agreement with those derived from the main shocks of both sequences. Source parameters were then derived from the three-component records of 28 well-recorded events with seismic moment in the range 8.5 × 10¹⁰–1.0 × 10¹⁴ Nm. Stress drops ranged in the interval 0.3–52.3 bar and source radii were of the order of 100 m. Their scaling relations are in good agreement with other results derived from the analysis of other Italian earthquakes that occurred in regions of predominantly normal faulting tectonics (Apennines and Calabrian arc).     

地震散射波的高精度数值模拟与振幅分析

随着地震勘探要求和技术的不断提高,散射波地震勘探方法逐渐引起人们的重视,尤其在构造复杂地区的高精度勘探中,散射波理论具有广泛的应用前景.本文在讨论了现阶段几种散射波数值模拟方法的利弊后,设计了一种基于微扰论的FK域积分法,在散射场的二次震源和空间能量衰减处理两方面做了改进,其计算精度和效率均得到了提高.此外,采用该算法针对散射波动力学进行了正演模拟试算,从扰动介质空间分布和扰动量两个角度定量地分析了散射波振幅动力学方面的特征.在此基础上得到了五个经验常数,并给出了对应的计算公式和物理意义,通过这五个常数可以划分散射波不同形态的动力学特征.     

Attenuation tomography of the Southern Apennines (Italy)

The aim of this study is to improve our knowledge of the attenuation structure in the Southern Apennines using a new amplitude ratio tomography method (Phillips et al., Geophys Res Lett 32(21):L21301, 2005) applied on both direct and coda envelope measurements derived from 150 events recorded by 47 stations of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia National Seismic Network (Rete Sismica Nazionale Centralizzata). The two-dimensional (2-D) analysis allows us to take into account lateral crustal variations and heterogeneities of this region. Using the same event and station distribution, we also applied a simple 1-D methodology, and the performance of the 1-D and 2-D path assumptions is tested by comparing the average interstation variance for the path-corrected amplitudes using coda and direct waves. In general, coda measurement results are more stable than using direct waves when the same methodology is applied. Using the 2-D approach, we observe more stable results for both waves. However, the improvement is quite small, probably because the crustal heterogeneity is weak. This means that, for this region, the 1-D path assumption is a good approximation of the attenuation characteristics of the region. A comparison between Q tomography images obtained using direct and coda amplitudes shows similar results, consistent with the geology of the region. In fact, we observe low Q along the Apennine chain toward the Tyrrhenian Sea and higher values to the east, in correspondence with the Gargano zone that is related to the Apulia Carbonate Platform. Finally, we compared our results with the coda Q values proposed by Bianco et al. (Geophys J Int 150:10–22, 2002) for the same region. The good agreement validates our results as the authors used a completely independent methodology.     

使用宽频带地震记录研究2017年6月24日茂县新磨滑坡的动力学过程

北京时间2017年6月24日5时39分左右,四川省茂县叠溪镇新磨村发生大型岩质滑坡.体积约4.3×10⁶ m³的巨型岩体从山顶脱落,顺坡滑行约2.6 km后破碎沉积;碎屑物掩埋了整个新磨村,造成了巨大的人员伤亡和财产损失.本文使用来自滑坡周围的10个地震台站的宽频带观测资料的长周期信号反演了这次滑坡的受力时间函数;同时使用逐步细化的格点搜索方法得到了滑坡的位置,与其真实位置一致;根据反演的受力时间函数计算了滑坡过程中滑体的运动学参数,得到的滑体运动轨迹与实际路径吻合.综合分析地震信号、受力时间函数和运动学参数表明,本次滑坡主运动的持续时间约为79 s;脱落岩体在5∶38∶50.2启动后持续加速,在5∶39∶37.2达到速度峰值,约为52.1 m·s^-1;这段时间内岩体没有明显的破碎;之后,岩体开始铲刮并裹挟古滑坡造成的碎屑沉积物,自身也开始破碎解体,总体开始减速运动,直到5∶40∶9.2主运动停止;此后,小规模的碎屑散落又持续了约10 s的时间.     

The 1997 Umbria-Marche (Italy) earthquake sequence: Tomographic images obtained from data of the GNDT-SSN temporary network

We present some preliminary images of the 3-D P-wavevelocity model and of the relocated seismicityobtained from the data collected by the GNDT-SSNtemporary network installed in the epicentral area ofthe earthquake sequence that followed the 26September, 1997, Central Italy main shock(M_w = 6.0). This network consisted of a total of 15stations, was deployed in the southern part of thearea affected by the earthquake sequence and operatedfor a total of 17 days starting on 10/18/97.Our results indicate that 1) the P-velocity structuredisplays a pattern of lateral variations consistentwith the general NW-SE trend of the Apennines in thearea; 2) the aftershock foci distribute, in thesouthern part of the sequence, on distinct and welldefined SW dipping planes which surface intersectionsmatch previously recognized active normal faults; 3)a distinct zone of aftershock quiescence is observedin correspondence of the 10/12 (M_L = 5.3) and10/14/97 (M_L = 5.7) hypocenters near Sellano; 4)the seismicity at the southern end is very shallow andit is unclear the relationship between the 1997 andthe 1979 Norcia sequences.     

Fault-generated mountain fronts in the central apennines (Central Italy): Geomorphological features and seismotectonic implications

The morphotectonic framework of the Central Apennines is given by faulted blocks bounded by normal faults, mostly trending NW–SE, NNW–SSE and NE–SW, which cut previous compressive structures. Such a structural setting is consistent with the focal mechanisms of the earthquakes which often occur in this area. In this paper, three lithologically different normal fault-generated mountain fronts are analysed in order to assess the relations between their geomorphic features and active tectonics. They border the Norcia depression (Sibillini Mts, Umbria), the Amatrice–Campotosto plateau (Laga Mts, Lazio) and the Fucino basin (Marsica Mts, Abruzzi). The Norcia depression is bounded by a N20°W trending normal fault to the east and by a parallel antithetic fault to the west. The main fault has a 1000 m throw and gives rise to a wide fault escarpment, characterized by: (1) sharp slope breaks due to low angle gravity faults; (2) important paleolandslides; and (3) several fault scarplets on the piedmont belt affecting Quaternary deposits. The Amatrice–Campotosto plateau is delimited by the western slope of Mt Gorzano which runs along a N20°W trending normal fault having a 1500m throw. Minor parallel faults dislocate Quaternary landforms. Large-scale massmovements also occur here. The Fucino basin was struck by the 1915 Avezzano earthquake (I=XI MCS) which produced extensive surface faulting along two parallel NW trending normal fault escarpments on the eastern border of the basin. There is paleoseismic evidence including buried gravity graben in Late Glacial gravels and tectonic dip-slip striations on Holocene calcitic crusts covering bedrock normal fault planes. These data suggest that active extensional tectonics plays a major role in the slope morphogenesis of the Central Apennines and they indicate the importance of geomorphic analysis in seismic zonation of this area.     

Mainshocks and aftershocks of the 2002 molise seismic sequence, southern Italy

In October and November 2002, the Molise region (southern Italy) was struck by two moderate magnitude earthquakes within 24 hours followed by an one month long aftershocks sequence. Soon after the first mainshock (October 31st, 10.32 UTC, M_w 5.7), we deployed a temporary network of 35 three-component seismic stations. At the time of occurrence of the second main event (November 1st, 15.08 UTC, M_w 5.7) the eight local stations already installed allowed us to well constrain the hypocentral parameters. We present the location of the two mainshocks and 1929 aftershocks with 2 < M_L < 4.2. Earthquake distribution reveals a E-trending 15 km long fault system composed by two main segments ruptured by the two mainshocks. Aftershocks define two sub-vertical dextral strike-slip fault segments in agreement with the mainshock fault plane solutions. P- and T-axes retrieved from 170 aftershocks focal mechanisms show a coherent kinematics: with a sub-horizontal NW and NE-trending P and T-axes, respectively. For a small percentage of focal mechanisms (∼ 10%) a rotation of T axes is observed, resulting in thrust solutions. The Apenninic active normal fault belt is located about 80 km westward of the 2002 epicentral area and significant seismicity occurs only 20-50 km to the east, in the Gargano promontory. Seismic hazard was thought to be small for this region because neither historical earthquake are reported in the Italian seismic catalogue or active faults were previously identified. In this context, the 2002 seismic sequence highlights the existence of trans-pressional active tectonics in between the extensional Apenninic belt and the Apulian foreland.     

Numerical analysis of seismic wave amplification in Nice (France) and comparisons with experiments

The analysis of site effects is very important since the amplification of seismic motion in some specific areas can be very strong. In this paper, the site considered is located in the centre of Nice on the French Riviera. Site effects are investigated considering a numerical approach (Boundary Element Method) and are compared with experimental results. The experimental results are obtained thanks to real earthquakes (weak motion) and microtremor measurements. The investigation of seismic site effects through numerical approaches is interesting because it shows the dependency of the amplification level on such parameters as wave velocity in surface soil layers, velocity contrast with deep layers, seismic wave type, incidence and damping.In this specific area of Nice, experimental measurements obtained for weak motion lead to strong site effects. A one-dimensional (1D) analytical analysis of amplification does not give a satisfactory estimation of the maximum reached levels. A boundary element model is then proposed considering different wave types (SH, P, SV) as the seismic loading. The alluvial basin is successively assumed as an isotropic linear elastic medium and an isotropic linear viscoelastic solid with Zener type behaviour (standard solid). The influence of frequency and incidence is analysed. The thickness of the surface layer, its mechanical properties, its general shape as well as the seismic wave type involved have a great influence on the maximum amplification and the frequency for which it occurs. For real earthquakes, the numerical results are in very good agreement with experimental measurements for each motion component. The boundary element method leads to amplification values very close to the actual ones and much larger than those obtained in the 1D case. Two-dimensional basin effects are then very strong and are well reproduced numerically.     

Hypocenter location accuracy and seismicity distribution in the Central Apennines (Italy)

In this paper, we analyse the seismicity distribution in the CentralApennines (Italy) using the recordings of the Rete SismometricaMarchigiana (RSM). In particular, the selected events are relocated usinga 1-D model calculated by means of an inversion procedure. The robustnessof the 1-D model and the location accuracy are tested. The capability ofthe RSM to well constrain crustal and subcrustal events in the studied areais discussed. We find that in the inner side of the chain the seismicity liesin the upper crustal layers, following the structural trend of the Apenninicbelt. A W-deepening of the events is observed in the Apenninic foredeep,where the seismicity is mainly confined in the lower crust. This evidenceimplies the deepening of the brittle to ductile transition. Some well-locatedsubcrustal events are found. Their locations seem to confirm the W-dippingsubduction of the Adriatic lithosphere beneath the Apennines.     

Superposition of different stress orientations in the western sector of the northern Apennines (Italy)

Previous studies of the stress regime in the northern Apennines report compression in the outer sector and extension in the inner sector. In this study we focus on the relationships between the two regimes and, by making use of 54 focal mechanism solutions, we try to shed some more light on a tectonic setting that appears more complex than the previous models. The focal mechanisms, computed using the first onset technique, are inverted for stress parameters. The method applied requires subdividing the volume to be investigated into homogeneous sectors: to comply with the complexity of the area under study, we included depth as a parameter for sub-zoning. Our results show that the shallow regime (0–10 km of depth) is transtensive even in the sector previously reported to be compressive. In fact, at a shallow depth, very few thrust focal solutions lie in a spatially limited sector in the eastern part of the area under study. Just below 10 km in depth, the stress regime converts to transpressional: stress axes are approximately inverted. Deeper than 45 km, thrust solutions are found. They are not numerous enough to perform an inversion but indicate the existence of a compressional regime at depth. It is worth noting that a gap of seismicity is observed in the layer 30–45 km.     

Emergency assessment of seismic landslide susceptibility： a case study of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake affected area

The 8.0 Mw Wenchuan earthquake triggered widespread and large scale landslides in mountainous regions.An approach was used to map and assess landslide susceptibility in a given area. A numerical rating system was applied to five factors that contribute to slope instability. Factors such as lithology, topography, streams and faults have an important influence as event-controlling factors for landslide susceptibility assessment. A final map is provided to show areas of low,medium, and high landslide susceptibility. Areas identified as having high landslide susceptibility were located in the central,northeastern, and far south regions of the study area. The assessment results will help decision makers to select safe sites for emergency placement of refuges and plan for future reconstruction. The maps may also be used as a basis for landslide risk management in the study area.     

Evaluation of site effects using numerical and experimental analyses in Città di Castello (Italy)

In the paper the results of the numerical and experimental analyses, at a site in the Umbria Region (Città di Castello—PG), are finalized and the evaluations of site effects are shown. The aim of the work was to compare the two types of analyses and give some methodologies that may be used at the level of urban planning. Therefore a series of geological, geomorphological (1:5.000 scale), geotechnical and seismic analyses have been carried out, to characterize the lithological units and to identify the areas affected by site effects. The expected seismic inputs were provided and two-dimensional numerical analyses have been done. An experimental analysis, using the registrations of small events, has been done. The results for the two approaches were performed in terms of elastic pseudo-acceleration spectra and amplification factors. The results are given as a ratio between spectral intensity, calculated using the pseudo-velocity spectra, in the periods of 0.1–0.5 s and 0.1–2.5 s of output and input. The results have been analyzed and compared, to provide a methodology that may be comprehensive and precise.     

Human‐induced hazardous debris flows in Carrara marble basins (Tuscany,Italy)

In Carrara marble basins, the long and intensive quarrying activities (which began in the first century BC ) have produced extensive dump deposits, locally known as ravaneti. Ravaneti are of such large dimensions and diffusion as to make them a widespread landform of the Apuane Alps (Tuscany). In recent years these quarry dump deposits have been affected by frequent debris flows, more than 50 in 1996/97. This phenomenon is the most significant currently active geomorphological process in this landscape. The evolution of quarrying techniques produced a variety of sedimentological compositions of ravaneti. The debris flows analysed involve only the surface layers where debris is mixed with fine material with a lower permeability (active ravaneti) than the coarser underlying debris (older ravaneti). The presence of different permeability layers causes a wetting front to move downwards. Source area observations indicate a soil slip movement in the initial phases of the failure. The transformation of landslides into debris flow occurs by means of both soil contractive failure and an increase of granular temperature. The morphological and sedimentological analyses of depositional lobes resulted in a classification of three types of lobe, based on fabric–morphometry relationships allowing the identification of different flow dynamics: (1) type A lobe (platy form), matrix‐supported and well developed fabric with general tendency of ab clast plane strikes to lie generally parallel to flow direction as a consequence of laminar flow; (2) type B lobe (elongated form), clast‐supported and random fabric as a consequence of both turbulent flow and coarser composition of starting material; (3) type C lobe, intermediate type A–B morphometry, tendency for ab clast plane to lie in a semi‐circle around the main flow direction determined by the presence of secondary flow lines divergent from it in the stopping phase. In Carrara marble basins, the anomalous frequency with which debris flows tend to be triggered by medium‐intensity rainstorms (about 30 mm h⁻¹ rainfall) is due to the recent increases in silt dump produced by modern quarrying techniques. This represents a significant example of debris flows as an environmental problem in major anthromorphized landscapes. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Paleomagnetic constraints on the Plio–Pleistocene geodynamic evolution of the external central–northern Apennines (Italy)

We report on new paleomagnetic results obtained from 27 sites sampled in the Plio–Pleistocene sequences at the external front of the central–northern Apennines. Previous analyses of Miocene (Messinian) sediments indicated that the present shape of the northern Apenninic arc is due to the oroclinal bending of an originally straight belt oriented around N320° and that vertical axis rotations accompanied the migration of the thrust fronts toward the Adriatic foreland [F. Speranza et al., J. Geophys. Res. 102 (1997) 3153–3166]. We tried to provide new paleomagnetic constraints for the timing and rates of the oroclinal bending process during the Pliocene and the Pleistocene. The results suggest that CCW rotations observed in the northern part of the studied area are possibly younger than 3 Ma. No regional rotation is recorded in the Pliocene and Pleistocene sediments from the southern part of the study area, analogously to the Messinian sediments of the ‘Acquasanta’ domain of Speranza et al. [F. Speranza et al., J. Geophys. Res. 102 (1997) 3153–3166]. A local significant CCW rotation (23°±10°) is identified in the Early Pleistocene sediments that crop out along the Adriatic coast between Ascoli and Pescara, indicating differential motion of the thrust sheets. This rotation must be younger than 1.43 Ma.     

The role of the urban system dysfunction in the assessment of seismic risk in the Mt. Etna area (Italy)

A procedure for seismic risk assessment is applied to the Mt. Etna area (eastern Sicily, Italy) through assessment of urban system dysfunction following the occurrence of an earthquake. The tool used is based on the Disruption Index as a concept implemented in Simulator QuakeIST, which defines urban disruption following a natural disaster. The first element of the procedure is the definition of the seismic input, which is based on information about historical seismicity and seismogenic faults. The second element is computation of seismic impact on the building stock and infrastructure in the area considered. Information on urban-scale vulnerability was collected and a geographic information system was used to organise the data relating to buildings and network systems (e.g., building stock, schools, strategic structures, lifelines). The central idea underlying the definition of the Disruption Index is identification and evaluation of the impact on a target community through the physical elements that most contribute to severe disruption. The procedure applied in this study (i.e., software and data) constitutes a very useful operational tool to drive the development of strategies to minimise risks from earthquakes.     

Flexibility of superstructures and supports in the seismic analysis of simple bridges

This paper addresses the elastic dynamic response of simply supported bridges to ground motion in their transverse direction. The interaction between superstructure and support flexibilities is studied in a systematic manner for symmetric spans. The bridges are modelled as beams with uniformly distributed mass and elasticity, simply supported at the ends by elastic springs. It is shown that a dimensionless stiffness index, which reflects the relative stiffness of the superstructure compared to the stiffness of the substructure, completely defines the dynamic mode shapes of the model. Useful closed‐form expressions, based on approximate shape functions, are derived for the dynamic parameters of the first mode, and their accuracy is assessed. The effect of the stiffness index on these dynamic parameters is investigated. Numerical case studies are presented to illustrate the use of proposed equations in the seismic analysis of bridges. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

InSAR-DEM analyses integrated with geologic field methods for the study of long-term seismogenic fault behavior: Applications in the axial zone of the central Apennines (Italy)

The integration of terrain computer modeling with field methods may provide a powerful mechanism for understanding active faults geometry, kinematics and long-term fault behavior. Radar interferometry was used on ERS tandem images to create a geocoded DEM (InSAR-DEM) with a nominal 20-m spatial-resolution of the central Apennines axial zone, a seismically active area characterized by historical destructive earthquakes with M 7. The potential was tested of InSAR-DEM application to the Fucino and Sulmona basin boundary faults, which have well-defined seismological, paleoseismological and/or geological evidence for their having seismogenic sources. In particular, slope maps extracted from the InSAR-DEM were used for fault scarps detection, whether on carbonate bedrock (fault scarp type 2) or affecting continental deposits within the basin (fault scarp type 1), and compared with the available geological and new field data. In order to assess the DEM accuracy and to evaluate morphometric parameters related to the long-term slip-rates of the faults, a set of topographic profiles was extracted from the InSAR-DEM and compared with analogous profiles derived from the available topographic map (i.e., 1/25,000, with 25 m contour interval). In particular, the use of InSAR-DEM analyses showed its better results, with respect to the standard topography, for urban/agricultural gently sloped areas where fault scarps affected unconsolidated and particularly soft sediments (e.g., Fucino basin fault systems), while in severely sloped carbonate ridge and forested areas low coherences and layover effects made InSAR-DEM application problematic. A maximum value of 1.1 ± 0.2 mm yr^–1 slip-rate was obtained for the Fucino boundary fault. Finally, the recognized en-échelon pattern of the Sulmona basin boundary fault, provided a segmentation model for this structure corroborated by geological-structural field data.