Lateral variations in the European lithosphere and seismic activity

In the Mediterranean region an interesting correlation between the model of the lithospheric structure and the distribution of epicentres of shallow earthquakes with magnitudes larger or equal to 6.5 can be established in some areas. These areas, namely northern and southern Italy, the Calabrian and Hellenic Arcs, correspond to belts where high rigidity values in the lid are associated with very rapid changes in the lithospheric thickness.