Seismicity and Crustal Structure in Italy

Abstract

The extensive geophysical surveys in Italy, especially the extended DSS profiles program (from 1956], have permitted a first knowledge of the main crustal conditions, which are very varied and cover most of the normal and extreme features. Of particular importance for the understanding of the actual seismicity and of the character of the seismogenetic zones are :

• a long strip of Moho vertical discontinuities, faults and subductions along the axis of the Apennines, from the Po Plain to Calabria, to which correspond the maxima of seismicity;

• the presence of infra-crustal and crustal doublings all around the Adriatic microplate, the borders of which are also characterised by a strong seismicity