Quick moment tensor solution for 6 April 2009,L'Aquila,Italy,earthquake

A Mw6.4 earthquake occurred in L＇Aquila, central Italy at 1：32：42 （UTC）, April 6, 2009. We quickly obtained the moment tensor solution of the earthquake by inverting the P waveforms of broadband recordings from the global seismographic network （GSN） stations using the quick technique of moment tensor inversion, and further inferred that the nodal plane of strike 132°, dip 53° and rake -103° is the seismogenic fault.

Coseismic slip distribution of 2009 L'Aquila earthquake derived from InSAR and GPS data

To better understand the mechanism of the Mw6.3 L＇Aquila （Central Italy） earthquake occurred in 2009, global positioning system （GPS） and interferometric synthetic aperture radar （InSAR） data were used to derive the coseismic slip distribution of the earthquake fault. Firstly, based on the homogeneous elastic half-space model, the fault geometric parameters were solved by the genetic algorithm. The best fitting model shows that the fault is a 13.7 km×14.1 km rectangular fault, in 139.3° strike direction and 50.2° southwest-dipping. Secondly, fixing the optimal fault geometric parameters, the fault plane was extended and discretized into 16× 16 patches, each with a size of 1 kmx 1 krn, and the non-uniform slip distribution of the fault was inverted by the steepest descent method with an appropriate smoothing ratio based on the layered crustal structure model. The preferred solution shows that the fault is mainly a normal fault with slight right-lateral strike slip, the maximum slip of 1.01 m is located in the depth of 8.28 km, the average rake is -100.9°, and the total geodetic moment is about 3.34× 1018 N.m （Mw 6.28）. The results are much closer than previous studies in comparison with the seismological estimation. These demonstrate that the coseismic fault slip distribution of the L＇Aauila earthauake inverted by the crustal model considering layered characters is reliable.

Processes of the displacement field change of the 2009 April 6 M_W6.3 L'Aquila earthquake using persistent scatterer and small baseline methods

Using a time series method that combines both the persistent scatterer and small baseline approaches, we analyzed 9 scenes Envisat ASAR data over the L＇Aquila earthquake, and obtained a Shocke＇s displacement field and its evolution processes. The results show that： （1） Envisat ASAR clearly detected the whole processes of displacement field of the L＇Aquila earthquake, and distinct variations at different stages of the displacement field. （2） Preseismic creep displacement → displacement mutation when faulting → constantly slowed down after the earthquake. （3） The area of the strongest deformation and ground rupture was a low-lying oval depression region to the southeast. Surface faulting within a zone of about 22 km× 14 km, with an orientation of 135°, occurred along the NW-striking and SW-dipping Paganica-S. Demetrio normal fault. （4） In analyzing an area of about 54 km x 59 km, bounded by north-south axis to the epicenter, the displacement field has significant characteristics of a watershed： westward of the epicenter shows uplift with maximum of 130 mm in line-of-sight （LOS）, and east of the epicenter was a region with 220 mm of maximum subsidence in the LOS, concentrating on the rupture zone, the majority of which formed in the course of faulting and subsequence.

Testing Geographical Methodology and Tools for the Study of Territories Damaged by Earthquakes. The Case of L’Aquila and Other Localities Three Years after the April 6th 2009 Event

In this paper, we discuss a geographical methodology supported by specific geo-technologies which we are testing for the study of territories damaged by the L’Aquila earthquake of 6 April 2009 and which can be used in similar situations. Subsequently, we provide an overview of the current situation and make a comparison between some aerial photographs obtained from an overflight in March 2012 and some photos made during our first field study in February 2010, in order to show the work undertaken or not during this period and to substantiate any considerations regarding the choices adopted and the necessary future planning. Moreover, we provide an example of the added value provided by the analysis of aerial photographs in both visible and thermal light for recognizing the provisional non-painted metal roofing of buildings in a post-earthquake urban area. In fact this technique can be useful for the rapid identification of damaged buildings and zones with provisional covering. In the present paper, we focus attention on L’Aquila town centre which provides a significant example of a “City of Stone” almost “minus” the presence of people.

Introspection on improper seismic retrofit of Basilica Santa Maria di Collemaggio after 2009 Italian earthquake

The 2009 L’Aquila, Italy earthquake highlighted the seismic vulnerability of historic masonry building structures due to improper ＂strengthening＂ retrofit work that has been done in the last 50 years. Italian seismic standards recommend the use of traditional reinforcement techniques such as replacing the original wooden roof structure with new reinforced concrete （RC） or steel elements, inserting RC tie-beams in the masonry and new RC floors, and using RC jacketing on the shear walls. The L’Aquila earthquake revealed the numerous limitations of these interventions, because they led to increased seismic forces （due to greater additional weight） and to deformation incompatibilities of the incorporated elements with the existing masonry walls. This paper provides a discussion of technical issues pertaining to the seismic retrofit of the Santa Maria di Collemaggio Basilica and in particular, the limitations of the last （2000） retrofit intervention. Considerable damage was caused to the church because of questionable actions and incorrect and improper technical choices.

2009年4月6日意大利拉奎拉(L′Aquila)M_W 6.3地震的破裂过程——视震源时间函数方法与直接波形反演方法比较

通过对视震源时间函数方法和直接波形反演方法在意大利拉奎拉(L′Aquila)M_w 6.3地震破裂过程反演中的应用,分析比较了两种方法的特点.视震源时间函数结果表明,这次地震的破裂过程由两次子事件组成,其中第二次子事件的多普勒效应显著,表明破裂主要朝震中的东南方向传播.分别采用视震源时间函数方法和滑动角固定以及滑动角可变的直接波形反演方法对拉奎拉地震时空破裂过程进行反演所得到的结果一致表明:断层面上有两块滑动量集中的区域,分别位于震源处和沿走向(132°)方向距震源5～10 km处,最大滑动量分别约为1.2 m和1.0 m.破裂持续时间约为9.5 S.最大滑动速率达0.6～0.7 m/S,快速的破裂和上盘下盘效应导致了拉奎拉城的严重破坏.

联合Envisat和ALOS卫星影像确定L′Aquila地震震源机制

2009年4月6日意大利L′Aquila地区发生了Mw6.3级地震,该地震造成了300余人的人员死亡.本文联合不同波长、不同入射倾角的升降轨Envisat和ALOS卫星的差分干涉数据对该地震进行震源机制解的反演研究.研究首先对卫星雷达影像进行二通差分干涉处理,获取了覆盖L′Aquila地震震区的完整InSAR同震形变场,然后结合四叉树和均匀采样方法对原始观测数据进行降采样.在此基础上,联合GPS形变观测数据,利用弹性半空间矩形和三角位错模型,以及断层自动剖分技术对断层面进行最优离散剖分,反演获取了发震断层的精确几何参数和最优断层滑动分布,结果显示分布式三角位错滑动模型能够很好地解释观测到的地表形变场.反演结果表明发震断层是一个以正倾滑为主兼有少量右旋走滑的盲断层;基于观测数据最优确定的断层单元的最短边长为0.4km,最长边长为6.3km;此次地震的滑动分布主要发生在5～14km深度的范围内,最大滑移量为1.07m,释放的能量为3.43×1018 N.m(Mw6.32),与地震学的研究结果非常一致.

The Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio in L＇Aquila： Modern Provisional Measures

The case in analysis is Santa Maria di Collemaggio, the church symbol of the town of L＇Aquila and the most important example of Romanesque style in Abruzzi, tragically damaged by the earthquake in 2009. The following paper starts with an accurate analysis of the Basilica, whose historical, stylistical cultural characteristics make it an unicum in the whole urban environment. The authors tried to identify in which way these values have been compromised or altered after the earthquake through several analysis （surveys, historical researches etc.） aiming at the recognition of collapses, the cracks profile, the structural transformations caused by the provisional measures： the goal is to provide a kind of Basilica ＂cognitive manual＂ that will be useful for the future interventions. This first analysis allowed to understand many aspects： on the one hand, the constructive phases and which damages were caused by past careless interventions of restoration, drawing attention to the vulnerability elements of the Basilica; on the other hand, the innovative technologies and materials of the post-seismic provisional measures and their exact location.

地震同震形变场失相干恢复方法研究——以2009年拉奎拉M_(W)6.3地震为例

在合成孔径雷达干涉测量中,干涉相干是局部干涉条纹质量的重要评价标准,但是由于各种失相干源的影响,会出现失相干现象,而这可能会丢失重要的形变数据。本文首先利用ENVISAT ASAR的两景影像获得了2009年意大利拉奎拉M_(W)6.3地震的带有失相干现象的同震形变场,对数据预处理后再使用移动窗口克里金法对拉奎拉地震的同震形变场进行插值处理,恢复了形变图的失相干区域,之后进一步通过正反演获得同震形变场,并与上一步的插值结果进行对比分析。结果显示,插值结果与反演结果在极震区吻合得很好,验证了移动窗口克里金插值法恢复失相干的可靠性,说明插值法可以成为实现地震同震形变场失相干恢复的一种途径。

Determination of Smoothing Factor for the Inversion of Co-seismic Slip Distribution

For the determination of the smoothing factor (also known as the regularization parameter) in the co-seismic slip distribution inversion, the compromise curve between the model roughness and the data fitting residual is generally used to determine (in order to distinguish the method proposed in this paper, the method is called “L curve” according to its shape). Based on the L-curve, the Eclectic Intersection curve as a new method is proposed to determine the smoothing factor in this paper. The results of the simulated experiment show that the inversion accuracy of the parameters of the seismic slip distribution with the smoothing factor determined by the Eclectic Intersection curve method is better than that of the L curve method. Moreover, the Eclectic Intersection curve method and the L curve method are used to determine the smoothing factor of L’Aquila earthquake and the Taiwan Meinong earthquake slip distribution inversion respectively, and the inversion results are compared and analyzed. The analysis results show that the L’Aquila and the Taiwan Meinong actual earthquake slip distribution results are in the range of other scholars at home and abroad, and compared with the L curve method, the Eclectic Intersection curve method has advantages of high computation efficiency, no need to depend on data fitting degree and more appropriate of smoothing factor and so on.

Reducing seismic risk by understanding its cultural roots: Inference from an Italian case history

The paper discusses how to approach the problem of the social mitigation of seismic risk, in order to reduce damage and grief consequent to earthquakes. An alert protocol, intended as a working hypothesis, is proposed based on the experience gained from analysis of the behaviour and social response to the threat before and after the great disaster of the L’Aquila earthquake on 6th April 2009. Authors propose a protocol addressing four levels of increasing alert based on signs of earthquake preparation and social concerns. In this sense, it works as an intensity scale and does not strictly relate to earthquake size (magnitude) or seismic hazard. The proposed alert protocol provides sensible measures for reducing vulnerability, which is the only factor that can be more or less efficiently controlled, based on structural and behavioural adjustments. Factors indicating the difficult relationship between politicians, scientific community and citizens are considered: 1) a serious gap between researchers and citizens;2) measures adopted by local administrators and the National Civil Protection Service not agreed by the population;3) misunderstanding originated from a lack of clarity of communication about scientific terminology;and 4) the lack of an alert procedure protocol. In the current situation, all these problems are crucial and contribute to the unpreparedness to face a seismic event, and thus greatly increase the risk. The adoption and implementation of an alert procedure protocol requires a preliminary assessment of the context and should be adapted to the local sensibility and culture. The application of a protocol may reduce the contrasts between preventive measures and individual responsibilities, making mitigation measures more feasible and socially acceptable. In this paper, risk evaluation is not strictly related to probabilistic or deterministic predictions. In fact, this is a result of a project that comes from the general analysis of risk and is not intended to give an alternative hazard estimate method. This paper proposes an alert protocol addressing four levels of increasing alert based on signs of earthquake generating preparation and social concerns. Finally, there is a suggestion on how to gradually communicate the threat and get citizens involved in the risk mitigation process.

基于SB-DInSAR时间序列探测地震形变过程的研究

对2009年4月6日意大利拉奎拉6.3级地震9景ENVISAT重轨单视复数据采用双轨模式进行小基线(SB)干涉处理,获得了此次地震的SB-DInSAR时间序列干涉图、位移场以及位移速度场。结果表明:1)地震位移场形变过程为由震前的缓慢变化到震后的加速运动,速度明显由慢到快;2)震中以西为大面积隆起区,最大隆起量为140 mm;震中以东为大面积下沉区域,但形变集中在破裂区,主要在发震过程及震后形成,最大沉降量达185mm;3)地震产生的破裂主要沿震中的东南方向传播,集中在约13.4 km×7.6 km、方向约135°的椭圆形区域内。

Fuzzy Boundaries Between Post-Disaster Phases: The Case of L'Aquila, Italy

A number of indices have been developed for measuring vulnerability to disasters, but little attention has been paid to recovery indices. Post-disaster periods are usually divided into four phases. The terms established by the United Nations Development Programme for post-disaster phases—relief, early recovery, recovery, and development—are used in this article. This research examines the hypothesis that the boundaries between post-disaster recovery phases are fuzzy and should be defined by the progress achieved in the recovery process, rather than by the amount of time elapsed since the event. The methodology employed involved four steps: fieldwork, mapping,identification of indicators, and assessment. The case study area was the city of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, which was struck by an earthquake in April2009. For each phase of the recovery process in L'Aquila a score was calculated based on the progress observed in2016, 7 years after the earthquake. The highest score went to the early recovery phase(14 points), followed by the recovery phase(13 points), the development phase(12points), and the relief phase(4 points). The results demonstrate the possibility of defining post-disaster recovery phases in an affected area based on measuring achievements through indicators rather than defining recovery phases in terms of elapsed time after a disaster.