Reply on RC3

Abstract

<strong class="journal-contentHeaderColor">Abstract.</strong> Italian strong motion network monitors the seismic activity of Italy and its surrounding with more than 700 stations. Thanks to the upgrade of the stations with continuous data acquisition, it is possible to measure the noise level of the strong motion network. In this study, we used the recorded background noise to estimate the variations in the noise levels of the network. Data recorded in 2019 and 1st of January to 30th of April 2022 are used to understand the noise level of the stations and data from the COVID-19 lockdown period are used to see the effect of the anthropogenic sources on the background noise. To do that, power spectrum density is calculated for the continuous stations. It is found that more than half of the stations exceed the background noise model designed for strong motion stations by Cauzzi and Clinton (2013) in at least one of the calculated periods. Considering the characteristics of the instrumentation at the stations and their deployment often near urban areas, we focused on relatively short periods (&le;5 s), interested by anthropic noises. Stations can be noisier during the day, up to 14 decibels and during the weekday, up to 5 decibels in short periods. Noise level differences between day-night decrease with an increasing period as the human-related high-frequency effects of humans are attenuated. As expected, the noisiest stations are located in densely populated areas such as center of Naples, whereas the quietest stations are located far away from cities. The swell, sea, and wind effects, on the other hand, are not observed in stations. During the COVID-19 lockdown, noise levels dropped to 6.5 decibels in daytime and 12.5 decibels on weekdays. Noise levels are reduced by around 2 decibels in 0.1 s, in which cultural noise is predominant. Furthermore, we found that the vehicles have measurable effects on noise levels.