From historical earthquake records to intensity value: some results of a study

Abstract

The use of historical records to assess macroseismic intensity involves problems seldom evidenced. This paper deals with the problems connected with the use of macroseismic scales, with particular attention to MSK 81 and the EMS 92, in the case of two Italian localities (Fabriano in the Marche region and Orciano in North- Western Tuscany) damaged by two earthquakes (1741. April 24 and 1846, August 14) which have a good historical documentation. Nevertheless, it is difficult to obtain the data required by the scales. It follows that intensity estimates are in principle affected by some uncertainties which have been analysed.

Keywords

• Fabriani, Orciano (Itaky)
• macroseismic intensity
• macroseismic scale
• historical earthquake records