Paleo-Seismicity in the Euganean Hills Province (Northeast Italy): Constraints From Geomechanical and Geophysical Tests in the Schio-Vicenza Fault Area

Researchers have uncovered evidence suggesting that the Schio-Vicenza Fault, which borders the Euganean Hills in northeast Italy, experienced more intense seismic activity in the past than previously thought. This conclusion stems from the discovery of gouges and cataclasites within exhumed fault zones, which are indicative of significant paleo-seismic events. Micropaleontological analyses confirmed that these gouges originated from the fragmentation of adjacent limestone rocks, while geomechanical tests revealed that substantial strain energy was required to pulverize these rocks. Current deformation rates in the region, measured through global navigation satellite system observations, are insufficient to generate such features, implying that the fault's past activity may have been more pronounced or that the area was affected by remote seismic events. These findings challenge the current understanding of the region's seismicity and have significant implications for seismic risk assessment in nearby urban areas, including Padova and Vicenza.

Martin, S., Fedrizzi, F., Boaga, J., Cenni, N., Agnini, C., Cortellazzo, G., & Rossato, S. (2020). Paleo-Seismicity in the Euganean Hills Province (Northeast Italy): Constraints From Geomechanical and Geophysical Tests in the Schio-Vicenza Fault Area. Frontiers in Earth Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.586897