Publication Date:
2021-05-11
Description:
Summary
The continental margins of southern Italy are located along converging plate boundaries, which
are affected by intense seismicity and volcanic activity. Most of the coastal areas experienced
severe earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis in historical and/or modern times. The most
prominent example is the Messina earthquake of Dec. 28, 1908 (Ms=7.3; 80,000 casualties),
which was characterized by the worst tsunami Italy experienced in the historical time (~2000
casualties). It is, however, still unclear, whether this tsunami was triggered by a sudden vertical
movement along a major fault during the earthquake or as a result of a giant marine slide
initiated by the earthquake. The recurrence rates of major landslides and therefore the risk
associated with landslides is also unknown. Based on detailed bathymetric data sets collected by
Italian colleagues in the frame of the MaGIC Project (Marine Geohazards along the Italian
Coast), we collected seismic data (2D and 3D) and gravity cores in three working areas (The
Messina Straits, off Eastern Sicily, the Gioia Basin). A dense grid of new 2D-seismic data in the
Messina Straits will allow to map fault patterns in great detail. One interesting outcome in this
context is the identification of a set of normal faults striking in an EW-direction, which is almost
perpendicular to the previously postulated faults. This EW-striking faults seem to be active. The
area off eastern Sicily is characterized by numerous landslides and a complex deformation
pattern. A 3D-seismic data set has been collected during the cruise using the so called P-cable in
order to investigate these deformation patterns in detail. The new data will be the basis for a risk
assessment in the working areas.
Type:
Report
,
NonPeerReviewed
Format:
text
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