Seismic coda Q and turbidity coefficient at the Phlegraean Fields volcanic area: Preliminary results

Digital recordings of microearthquake codas from shallow seismic events in the Phlegraean Fields region (south-central Italy) were used to calculate the attenuation factor Q_c.A quite unusual frequency dependence was found for the coda attenuation comparable to Hawaii pattern of Q_c. This is interpreted as due to the presence of magma that increases the amount of anelasticity. Amount of scattering at Phlegraean Fields was estimated through the « turbidity » coefficient (Dainty model), that shows a high degree of scattering due to inhomogeneities as compared to Hawaii. Probably this is due to the greater crustal thickness of Phlegraean Fields with respect to Hawaii that produces more scattering.     

Q c of three component seismograms of volcanic microearthquakes at Campi Flegrei volcanic area — Southern Italy

Digital recordings of three component microearthquake codas from shallow seismic events in the volcanic region of Campi Flegrei — Southern Italy — were used with an automatic technique to calculate the attenuation factorQ _c (codaQ) in the hypothesis of singleS toS backscattering.Results show the same value ofQ for each of the three components. This result is interpreted as due to isotropicS wave radiation pattern.A check of the coda method was performed using a single station method based on simple assumptions on the direct SH wave spectrum. Single stationQ was averaged over the stations and over the earthquakes. Results show that the two methods lead to comparable results.A frequency dependence quite different from that evaluated in active tectonic regions was found for coda attenuation, comparable to other volcanic areas throughout the world. This is interpreted as due to the presence of magma that affects anelasticity and scattering.     

Determination of Cosmological Parameters with a Sample of Quasars

We use a sample of 808 quasars selected by Risaliti and Lusso to estimate two important cosmological parameters: the percentage of matter in the Universe Ωm and the Hubble constant. The method is based on an auxiliary experimental correlation between the luminosity of quasars in the Xray band and UV band in the form log L_X = β + γ log L_UV. For the flat ΛCDM model our fit gives Ω _m = 0.21 ± 0.12. Our main results are the following: firstly, the fraction of matter (baryonic + dark) contained in the Universe is 21% according to our estimate and is smaller than the one found by other authors using Type Ia Supernovae (though, considering the large error, our result is consistent with the supernova data). Secondly, the Einstein–de Sitter model is outside the 95% confidence interval of our best fit curve. In order to determine also the Hubble constant, we were compelled to fix one of the free parameters (β, γ,H₀,Ω _m ) and to determine the others with the non-linear least square method. We have proceeded in two different ways. Increasing h₀ = H₀/100 with a step of 0.01 in the range from 0.65 to 0.95, we obtain a Hubble constant H₀ = 74.6± 2.4 (km/s)/Mpc in agreement with the values found using CMB, supernovae and cepheids. On the other hand, increasing the parameter m = β/γ with a step of 0.03 in the range from 13.4 to 14.4, we obtain the same result (but with a greater statistical error), and hence a self-consistentmodel, only assuming β ≥ 8.21.     

Rupture mechanism and source parameters of Umbria-Marche mainshocks from strong motion data

A long sequence of earthquakes causing few casualties and considerable damage in a wide zone struck Central Italy starting on September 26, 1997. Theearthquakes are characterized by normal faulting mechanism, with a NE-SW(anti-Apenninic direction) tension axis. In this paper we analyze the accelerometric recordings collected by the accelerograph stations belonging to the National Accelerograph Network. About 10 stations were triggered by the mainshocks of the sequence. In particular, a small size foreshock and the two mainshocks that occurred on September,26 (00:33(GMT) M_W = 5.7 and 09:40 M_W = 6.0) have been recorded by two digital 3-C accelerometers located at near source distances (within 30 km from the faults). These records are relevant to investigate the detail of therupture kinematics, due to the close epicentral distance and azimuthallocation relative to the fault orientation and geometry. Using a trial and error approach we modeled the source mechanism through the fit of the arrival times, the apparent source time duration, the main polarization features and the entire waveforms of the recorded signals, in order to get some insight on the rupture evolution, the location of the fracture origin point and the fault geometry. Based on this fault kinematic model, inferences on fault slip distribution are obtained by modeling the S acceleration waveform, comparing the ray theory synthetics with 1–5 Hz band filtered ground velocity records.The final model shows that the seismic ruptures occurred along two adjacent,sub-parallel, low angle dipping normal faults. Ruptures bothnucleated from the fault bottom and propagated up-dip, showing differentrupture velocity and length. The presence of a transfer zone (barrier)can be suggested by the mainshocks rupture evolution. This transfer zonehas probably controlled the amplitude increase of local stressreleased by the first rupture at its NW edge which triggered about 9 hourslater the second rupture. The inferred model was used to compute the predictedground acceleration in the near source range, using a hybridstatistical-deterministic approach.A similar trial and error method has been also applied to the October 14, 199715:23 earthquake (M_W = 5.6). The inferred kinematic model indicates a rupture nucleating from the faultbottom and propagating up-dip, toward the SE direction. Thus the three mainshocks ruptured distinct fault segments, adjacent and slightly offsetfrom one to another.     

Rapid estimation of ground-shaking maps for seismic emergency management in the Campania Region of southern Italy

Strong ground-shaking mapping soon after a moderate-to-large earthquake is crucial to recognize the areas that have suffered the largest damage and losses. These maps have a fundamental role for emergency services, loss estimation and planning of emergency actions by the Civil Protection Authorities. This is particularly important for areas with high seismic risk levels, such as the Campania-Lucania Region in southern Italy. Taking advantage of the Irpinia Seismic Network (ISNet), a recently installed dense and wide dynamic seismic network, we have developed a procedure for rapid estimation of ground-shaking maps after moderate-to-large earthquakes (GRSmap). This uses an optimal data gridding scheme designed to account for bi-dimensional features of strong ground-motion fields, such as directivity, radiation patterns and focal mechanisms, to which most damage can be correlated. The basis of the mapping technique is a triangulation procedure to locally correct predicted data at the triangle barycentres where their vertices correspond to seismic stations. The method has been tested off-line using a simulated M 6.6 earthquake located at the centre of ISNet and applied to data of the 23 November 1980 Irpina M 6.9 earthquake recorded by a sparse network. This has highlighted its ability to predict peak ground-motion parameters of large magnitude earthquakes with respect to the attenuation relationships.