Earthquake surface faulting at Mount Etna volcano (Sicily) and implications for active tectonics

Recognition of active faults and assessment of their kinematics constrain the deformative model of an area. Thus, observations on coseismic faulting at Etna can provide effective evidence on ongoing tectonics and fault activity. The present study has allowed the recognition of surface ruptures for a large number of earthquakes (50) that have occurred since 1818 by means of a careful search and re-examination of historical sources and recent data. Analysis of surface faulting has provided a clearer relationship between seismicity and mapped structures, and also a better definition of the volcano's tectonic framework through the identification of previously unknown, hidden faults. Critical interpretation of data and ad hoc field investigations also allowed the verification of kinematics, slip per event, length of rupture, and the geometry of seismogenic segments providing new data for seismic hazard assessment. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.