A new 3D seismotectonic model of the Northern Apennines Pedeapenninic margin for seismic hazard assessment.

Abstract

Faults have the potential to generate earthquakes causing significant damage to societal infrastructure and life losses. Innovative methodologies and multidisciplinary research approaches are essential for assessing seismic hazard in areas where the study and parametrization of earthquake-generating faults present significant challenges, for example due to the scarcity of fault exposures. This is the case of the Northern Apennines front (Italy), where active and seismogenic faults are concealed beneath thick sedimentary deposits. To study the local seismotectonic framework we present a new 3D model for a sector of the Northern Apennines Pedeapenninic margin between Parma and Bologna. The model was generated by integrating geological, geophysical and seismological datasets in the software Leapfrog Works. It assembles eight primary geological units from the surface down to ∼15 km depth and allowed for the reconstruction of 54 active faults, including 12 seismogenic faults. The main aim of this study is to introduce a 3D seismotectonic database that serves scientific, educational and practical applications and can be used for seismic hazard analytical assessment.