New paleoseismic data across the Mt. Marine Fault between the 2016 Amatrice and 2009 L’Aquila seismic sequences (central Apennines)

Abstract

Paleoseismological investigations have been carried out along the Mt. Marine normal fault, a probable source of the February 2, 1703 (Me=6.7) earthquake. The fault affects the area between the 2016 Amatrice and 2009 L’Aquila seismic sequences. Paleoseismological analysis provides data which corroborate previous studies, highlighting the occurrence of 5 events of surface faulting after the 6th–5th millenium B.C., the most recent of which is probably the 2 February 1703 earthquake. A minimum displacement per event of about 0.35 m has been measured. The occurrence of a minimum four faulting events within the last 7,000 years suggests a maximum 1,700 years recurrence interval.