Seismic characterization of the shore sand at Catania

In the framework of the Catania Project supported by GNDT (Gruppo Nazionale per la Difesa dai Terremoti) seismic measurements have been carried out in the shore sands of Catania to define their detailed shear wave velocity (V) profiles and attenuation properties (Q). The method used, FTAN, is based on the analysis of the dispersion curve extracted from signals generated by controlled sources. The computation of complete synthetic seismograms enables the estimation of the attenuation properties of the surface layers. Hereinafter we analyse the shear seismic characteristics of the shore sands as indicators of potential liquefaction phenomena.