Search Results (58)

Rural landscapes are changing rapidly, yet many assessments remain descriptive and weakly connected to planning instruments. This study connects rural landscape analysis with planning and management by examining post-earthquake transformations in Topaktaş (Tuşba, Van), a village redesigned and relocated after the 2011 events. Using ArcGIS 10.8 and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), we integrate DEM, slope, aspect, CORINE land cover Plus, surface-water presence/seasonality, and proximity to hazards (active and surface-rupture faults) and infrastructure (Karasu Stream, highways, village roads). A risk overlay is treated as a hard constraint. We produce suitability maps for settlement, agriculture, recreation, and industry; derive a composite optimum land-use surface; and translate outputs into decision rules (e.g., a 0–100 m fault no-build setback, riparian buffers, and slope thresholds) with an outline for implementation and monitoring. Key findings show legacy footprints at lower elevations, while new footprints cluster near the upper elevation band (DEM range 1642–1735 m). Most of the area exhibits 0–3% slopes, supporting low-impact access where hazards are manageable; however, several newly designated settlement tracts conflict with risk and water-service conditions. Although limited to a single case and available data resolutions, the workflow is transferable: it moves beyond mapping to actionable planning instruments—zoning overlays, buffers, thresholds, and phased management—supporting sustainable, culturally informed post-earthquake reconstruction. Full article

On 2 December 2020, an earthquake with a magnitude of M_w 4.5 occurred near the city of Thiva (Greece). The aftershock sequence, triggered by ruptures on or near the Kallithea fault, continued until January 2021. Seven months later, new seismic activity began a few kilometers west of the initial events, with the swarm displaying a general trend of spatiotemporal migration toward the east–southeast until the middle of 2022. In order to understand the physical and statistical pattern of the swarm, the seismicity was relocated using HypoDD, and the magnitude of completeness was determined using the frequency–magnitude distribution. In order to define the existence of spatiotemporal seismicity clusters in an objective way, the DBSCAN clustering algorithm was applied to the 2020–2022 Thiva earthquake sequence. The extracted clusters permit the analysis of the spatiotemporal scaling properties of the main clusters using the Non-Extensive Statistical Physics (NESP) approach, providing detailed insights into the nature of the long-term correlation of the seismic swarm. The statistical pattern observed aligns with a Q-exponential distribution, with q_D values ranging from 0.7 to 0.8 and q_T values from 1.44 to 1.50. Furthermore, the frequency–magnitude distributions were analyzed using the fragment–asperity model proposed within the NESP framework, providing the non-additive entropic parameter (q_M). The results suggest that the statistical characteristics of earthquake clusters can be effectively interpreted using NESP, highlighting the complexity and non-additive nature of the spatiotemporal evolution of seismicity. In addition, the analysis of the properties of the seismicity clusters extracted using the DBSCAN algorithm permits the suggestion of possible physical mechanisms that drive the evolution of the two main and larger clusters. For the cluster that activated first and is located in the west–northwest part, an afterslip mechanism activated after the 2 September 2021, M 4.0 events seems to predominately control its evolution, while for the second activated cluster located in the east–southeast part, a normal diffusion mechanism is proposed to describe its migration pattern. Concluding, we can state that in the present work the application of the DBSCAN algorithm to recognize the existence of any possible spatiotemporal clustering of seismicity could be helping to provide detailed insight into the statistical and physical patterns in earthquake swarms. Full article

Mount Etna has a well-documented history of frequent eruptions and seismic activity, periodically causing significant damage to urban areas. On 26 December 2018, a Mw 4.9 shallow earthquake struck the volcano’s eastern flank, severely damaging approximately 3000 buildings. The post-earthquake recovery strategy aimed to enhance community resilience by addressing the hazardous nature of the affected territory. This objective was achieved through measures such as relocation and public use transformation. In areas impacted by active faults, the relocation of damaged buildings was encouraged, while cleared zones were repurposed for public use, transformed into gardens and open-air parking spaces. Despite these efforts, some relocated individuals experienced psychological distress. To address this challenge, government planners played a pivotal role in disseminating scientifically accurate information, raising public awareness, and facilitating adaptation. The approach implemented on Etna was later adopted in other post-earthquake recovery programs in Italy, evolving into a replicable strategy for risk mitigation in disaster-prone areas. Full article

Since the onset of gas extraction in Groningen province, the Netherlands, more than 1700 earthquakes have taken place. This has resulted in damage to properties and safety issues for almost 28,000 buildings. As a result, an extensive reinforcement and damage repair operation started, due to which, many residents were temporarily relocated. Although the need for compensation and restoration was recognized from 2012, recent years are characterized by unclear and shifting responsibilities, bureaucratic complexities, and evolving compensation standards, leading to disparity and a further escalation of social impacts. This paper examines developments in the case from 2015 onwards, when the last overview article on this case was published. We observe that even after a decade of compensation efforts, many residents experience loss of trust in the government and endure chronic stress that impacts their well-being, family dynamics, and overall quality of life. We analyze the government-led mitigation and compensation system that in essence fails to address the grievances of local people. Even after broad recognition of the flawed system, the parliament did not fundamentally change it. In nine lessons, we underscore the global imperative for robust social impact assessments, ongoing social monitoring, and well-coordinated compensation frameworks. This is not only crucial to address socio-ecological distress, but also to build more accountable and sustainable institutional responses to future extraction endeavors. Full article

Volcano-tectonic seismic events (VT) are quite rare at Stromboli, numbering about ten events per year and generally with low magnitude. Using a dataset of 98 events from the 2005–2024 period, we report an improved relocation of VT events here. Relocated earthquakes are mainly distributed on the island and in an area located SSW of Stromboli. These VT events are related to the activation of seismogenic structures by a stress increase related to magma ascent. The shallowest seismicity (4–5 km) is positioned under the Stromboli summit, with a high occurrence in 2006–2007 and in 2019–2024, suggesting a major recharge of the HP magma reservoir. The deepest VT seismicity affects a depth of 7–12 km located in the submerged edifice SSW of the summit and is attributable to the dynamics of the LP magma reservoir, which was more active in 2006–2014 and much less so in the successive years. The increase in the occurrence rate of VT shallow seismicity seems to precede the most significant Stromboli activities, such as the 2007 and 2024 lava effusions followed by paroxysms. For these episodes, VT seismicity would appear to indicate a recharging in the first 4–5 km during the months preceding them, thereby representing a medium–short-term warning signal. Full article

The analysis of earthquake source mechanisms is key for seismotectonic studies, but it is often limited to traditional methods plagued with issues of precision and automation. This is particularly true in low-seismicity areas with deep and/or hidden seismogenic sources, where the identification of precise source mechanisms is a difficult and non-trivial task. In this study, we present a detailed application of TESLA (Tool for automatic Earthquake low-frequency Spectral Level estimAtion), a novel tool designed to overcome these limitations. We demonstrated TESLA’s effectiveness in defining source mechanism analysis by applying it to seismic sequences that occurred near Asti (AT), in the Monferrato area (Southern Piedmont, Italy). Our analysis reveals that the observed clusters consist of two distinct seismic sequences, occurring in 1991 and 2012, which were activated by the same seismogenic source. We relocated a total of 36 events with magnitudes ranging from 1.1 to 3.7, using a 3D velocity model, and computed 12 well-constrained focal mechanism solutions using the first motion polarities and the low-frequency spectral level ratios. The results highlight a relatively small seismogenic source located at approximately 5 km north of Asti (AT), at a depth of between 10 and 25 km, trending SW–NE with strike-slip kinematics. A smaller cluster of three events shows an activation of a different fault segment at around 60 km of depth, also showing strike-slip kinematics. These findings are in good agreement with the regional stress field acting in the Monferrato area and support the use of investigation tools such as TESLA for microseismicity analysis. Full article

On 18 December 2023, a M_w 6.2 earthquake occurred in close proximity to Jishishan County, located on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. The event struck the structural intersection of the Haiyuan fault, Lajishan fault, and West Qinling fault, providing empirical evidence for investigating the crustal compression mechanisms associated with the northeastward expansion of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. In this study, we successfully acquired a high-resolution coseismic deformation field of the earthquake by employing interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technology. This was accomplished through the analysis of image data obtained from both the ascending and descending orbits of the Sentinel-1A satellite, as well as from the ascending orbit of the ALOS-2 satellite. Our findings indicate that the coseismic deformation is predominantly localized around the Lajishan fault zone, without leading to the development of a surface rupture zone. The maximum deformations recorded from the Sentinel-1A ascending and descending datasets are 7.5 cm and 7.7 cm, respectively, while the maximum deformation observed from the ALOS-2 ascending data reaches 10 cm. Geodetic inversion confirms that the seismogenic structure is a northeast-dipping thrust fault. The geometric parameters indicate a strike of 313° and a dip angle of 50°. The slip distribution model reveals that the rupture depth predominantly ranges between 5.7 and 15 km, with a maximum displacement of 0.47 m occurring at a depth of 9.6 km. By integrating the coseismic slip distribution and aftershock relocation, this study comprehensively elucidates the stress coupling mechanism between the mainshock and its subsequent aftershock sequence. Quantitative analysis indicates that aftershocks are primarily located within the stress enhancement zone, with an increase in stress ranging from 0.12 to 0.30 bar. It is crucial to highlight that the structural units, including the western segment of the northern margin fault of West Qinling, the eastern segment of the Daotanghe fault, the eastern segment of the Linxia fault, and both the northern and southern segment of Lajishan fault, exhibit characteristics indicative of continuous stress loading. This observation suggests a potential risk for fractures in these areas. Full article

The main causes of damage include poor site selection, such as building on fault lines or on fill soil, as well as deficiencies in design, materials, and workmanship. Damage levels are also linked to the economic conditions of the region. In the 1939 earthquake, there were high casualties due to the magnitude of the earthquake, lack of engineering design in traditional structures and unsuitable soil conditions. Similarly, in the 1992 earthquake, unexpected damage occurred due to faulty designs created by inexperienced engineers who lacked sufficient knowledge of the seismic behavior of structures, errors in craftsmanship and workmanship, and unsuitable residential area selection for construction. These problems continue today and put most of the building stock at risk in case of a major earthquake. Seismic steel isolators are used in two new buildings in the city; if they are effective, they should be made mandatory in new construction. Otherwise, consideration should be given to relocating the city to the more stable southern rocky areas, which were unaffected in both 1939 and 1992. Full article

Background: Facility location is a key challenge in humanitarian logistics, particularly in disaster response, where rapid and efficient resource deployment is crucial. Temporary facilities offer a cost-effective solution due to their rapid deployment and flexibility in addressing increased demand and the dynamic conditions of post-disaster environments. Methods: This study conducts a systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines to analyze facility location problems involving temporary or modular facilities in humanitarian logistics. A total of 65 articles from Scopus and Web of Science were analyzed. Results: Most studies focus on temporary facilities like shelters and medical centers in earthquake-affected areas, with most applications in Asia. Despite being temporary, only 6% of the studies consider closure decisions. Recent research explores modular facilities that enhance adaptability through module relocation and capacity adjustments. Conclusions: Temporary facilities after sudden-onset disasters require advanced modeling approaches that include multi-period planning, modular design, and complex decision-making, requiring solutions through heuristics or relaxations. However, there is a lack of research on their application in slow-onset and human-induced disasters. Moreover, considering geographical, cultural, and political factors is essential to ensure effective solutions. Further studies are also needed on facilities functioning as collection and processing centers, given their critical role in the humanitarian supply chain. Full article

The structural response of single-story timber houses subjected to the 27 February 2010 Chile tsunami is studied in San Juan Bautista, an island town located nearly 600 km westward from the earthquake’s rupture source, in the Pacific Ocean. The ASCE 7-22 energy grade line analysis (EGLA) is used to calculate flow depths and velocities as functions of the topography and recorded runup. To understand the structural response along the topography, reactions and displacements are computed at six positions every 50 m from the coastline. Houses are modeled using the Robot software, considering dead and live loads cases under the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) philosophy. The results show that houses located near the coastline experience severe displacements and collapse due to a combination of hydrodynamic forces, drag and buoyancy, which significantly reduces the efficiency of the foundations’ anchorage. Structures far from the coastline are less exposed to reduced velocities, resulting in decreased displacements, structural demand and a tendency to float. Finally, the methodology is validated by applying a nonlinear analysis of the structures subjected to tsunami loads at the different positions considered in this study. Despite their seismic resistance, lightweight timber houses are shown to not be suitable for areas prone to tsunamis. Tsunami-resilient design should therefore consider heavier and more rigid materials in flooding areas and the relocation of lightweight structures in safe zones. Full article

On 1 January 2024, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, causing substantial damage to northern Noto. This study aimed to clarify the experiences of patients using a psychiatric visiting nurse service who were affected by the earthquake, and the influencing factors of worsening mental health symptoms after the earthquake. Participants were 114 patients using a psychiatric visiting nurse service in northern Noto. Data were collected retrospectively from nursing records. Factors associated with signs of worsening mental health symptoms were the continued use of home visiting nursing services after the disaster (n = 43, 46.7%; p = 0.040) and the intervention of a disaster psychiatric assistance team (DPAT) (n = 7, 77.8%; p = 0.034). No significant correlation was found between the number of relocations owing to evacuation and signs of worsening mental health symptoms. Although 61.4% of participants experienced more than one evacuation, the number of evacuations and relocations did not seem to directly affect the worsening of mental health symptoms. However, the results suggest a need for more direct interventions, such as the continued use of home visiting nursing services and the involvement of DPATs as an external resource, for patients exhibiting signs of worsening mental health symptoms. Full article

On 23 March 2018, an event of magnitude M_L 3.9 occurred about 10 km from the town of Ostuni, in the Adriatic offshore. It was the most energetic earthquake in South–Central Apulia ever recorded instrumentally. On 13 February 2019, in the same area, a second M_L 3.3 event was recorded. The analysis of the 2018 event shows that the ambiguity of the solution of the fault plane reported by INGV (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia) on the Italian National Earthquake Centre website can be solved considering existing seismic profiles, exploration well logs and the Quaternary activity of faults in the epicentral area. A seismogenic source was identified in the rupture of a small portion of a 40 km length structure with strike NW-SE, dipping at a high angle toward the south. In this work, we have relocated the recent earthquakes by using the seismic stations managed by the University of Bari (UniBa), one of which is quite close to the event’s epicenter (about 20 km), together with data coming from the RSN (Rete Sismica Nazionale). Furthermore, we have determined the focal mechanism of some events, with implications on stress field of the area. Our results show right-lateral transtensional kinematics of the seismogenic faults along approximately E-W striking planes, with a tension, T, with a trend of about 60° (NE-SW direction) and a plunge of 20°. Finally, we have tried to correlate the location of the four best constrained earthquakes with their seismogenic structures. Full article

Peru constituted the most important Viceroyalty of the Spanish Empire in South America, with the Port of Callao controlling the South Pacific trade routes. Although it was safe in its infancy, Callao suffered coastal attacks leading to its fortification. However, on 28 October 1746, an earthquake and tidal wave devastated the port, leading to its relocation and the construction of the Real Felipe Fortress of Callao, the South Pacific’s most significant fortification. The fortress was based on 18th century military conceptions adapted to the specific conditions of the coastal lands of the Peruvian Viceroyalty, such as the lack of stone, the use of adobe, and the frequent earthquakes. This research sought to identify the architectural theories influencing its design, the adaptations necessary for its coastal location, and the underlying mathematical and military concepts. Photogrammetry based techniques and a geographic information system (GIS) were used for georeferencing historical planimetry, along with the analysis of historical documents. This allowed us to reconstruct the original design and make evident how European ideas were adjusted to the particularities of the American territory, thus contributing to the improvement of knowledge about Spanish military architecture in America. Full article

The 2019 Ridgecrest M_W7.1 earthquake has received significant attention due to its complex fault activity. It is also noticeable for its M_W6.4 foreshock sequence. There are intricate dynamic relationships between earthquakes in such vigorous sequences. Based on the relocated catalogue, we adopt the nearest neighbour algorithm to analyze its foreshock and aftershock sequences. Detailed links and family structures of the sequence are obtained. The results show that a M_W5.0 event at 03:16 (UTC) on 6 July is a direct foreshock of the M_W7.1 mainshock. It is likely related to barriers on the northwest-striking fault. The M_W6.4 event on 4 July is characterized as a complex conjugate rupture. Notably, a magnitude 4.0 event occurred on the northwest-striking fault before the M_W6.4 event, establishing it as a direct foreshock. The Ridgecrest sequence is predominantly influenced by northwest fault activity. It first caused small fractures on the northwest-striking fault. Then, it triggered conjugate slips on the southwest-striking fault. Lastly, it led to larger ruptures on the northwest-striking fault. Full article

On 5 September 2022, the moment magnitude (Mw) 6.7 Luding earthquake struck in the Xianshuihe Fault system on the eastern edge of the Tibet Plateau, illuminating the seismic gap in the Moxi segment. The fault system geometry and rupture process of this earthquake are relatively complex. To better understand the underlying driving mechanisms, this study first uses the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technique to obtain static surface displacements, which are then combined with Global Positioning System (GPS) data to invert the coseismic slip distribution. A machine learning approach is applied to extract a high-quality aftershock catalog from the original seismic waveform data, enabling the analysis of the spatiotemporal characteristics of aftershock activity. The catalog is subsequently used for fault fitting to determine a reliable fault geometry. The coseismic slip is dominated by left-lateral strike-slip motion, distributed within a depth range of 0–15 km, with a maximum fault slip > 2 m. The relocated catalog contains 15,571 events. Aftershock activity is divided into four main seismic clusters, with two smaller clusters located to the north and south and four interval zones in between. The geometry of the five faults is fitted, revealing the complexity of the Xianshuihe Fault system. Additionally, the Luding earthquake did not fully rupture the Moxi segment. The unruptured areas to the north of the mainshock, as well as regions to the south near the Anninghe Fault, pose a potential seismic hazard. Full article