Macroseismic evidence and site effects for the Lunigiana (Italy) 1995 Earthquake

Abstract

On October 10, 1995, an ML= 4.8 (ING) earthquake occurred in the region of Lunigiana (northwestern Italy). The shock was felt over a large area and produced significant damage. We performed a macroseismic survey and damage zonation and assessed a maximum intensity VII MCS in the epicentral area. The damage pattern, that we investigated in detail for some of the villages in the most heavily damaged area, emphasises the role of surface geology in amplifying the effects. Topographic effects and near-surface geology are largely responsible for broadening the damage area. Given the moderate size of the earthquake, many of the macroseismic observations, including rotations of objects and the propagation of visible waves in the ground, are suggestive of amplification phenomena.