Earthquakes
In the geological context of the Alpine chain, the Trentino territory is seismically active, i.e. characterised by the presence of earthquakes. In addition to those localised in Trentino, the province is also affected by stronger seismic events occurring in neighbouring regions, such as the Gardesana-Lessinea and Feltrino-Bellunese areas.
The level of seismicity in Trentino and the neighbouring Alpine regions is such that only a few earthquakes are perceived by the population each year, although those recorded instrumentally are far greater in number. In fact, it is normal for minor earthquakes to be much more numerous than those that are energetically stronger.
According to current knowledge, very strong earthquakes that are capable of causing damage in the Trentino area are not very frequent. For this reason, it is easy to lose memory of them and underestimate the risk. It is therefore essential to be prepared and to know what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
Other topics
Notices
Seismicity in Trentino
Earthquakes affecting the Trentino area are generated in the upper portion of the earth's crust, typically within a depth of 15 kilometres. Their magnitude, a parameter that describes their magnitude, has so far not exceeded 5.5, at least as far as earthquakes recorded instrumentally during the last century are concerned. However, if one considers earthquakes from the pre-instrumental era, the so-called historic seismicity, even larger seismic events with intensities up to grade 9 are known. In this case, the intensity parameter is used instead of magnitude, which describes the severity of the effects produced.
Among the recent earthquakes that have left an important mark, mention must certainly be made of the one that occurred on 13 December 1976 with its epicentre in Val di Ledro, which caused significant resonance and even some damage in Riva del Garda.
Instrumental seismic catalogue
The catalogue contains earthquakes recorded and localised through the use of the Trentino instrumental monitoring network.
Publication date:Friday 19 January 2024
Historical seismic catalogue
The catalogue contains historical earthquakes, which are known from documentary and other information.
Publication date:Friday 19 January 2024
Real-time earthquakes
List of earthquakes in Italy, in the Mediterranean and in the world, from the processing of the National Institute
of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).
Publication date:Monday 22 January 2024
Seismic monitoring network
The seismic monitoring network in Trentino has been active since 1981, thanks to the installation and management activities of the Geological Survey. Over the decades, the characteristics of the instrumentation and data analysis procedures have been varied. Today, the monitoring network meets the most recent seismological standards and is able to satisfy both the need for real-time seismic warnings for civil protection purposes and the need to know in detail and reliably the characteristics of seismicity affecting the territory.
The seismic monitoring system, including data processing and automatic alerting procedures, is managed and developed in collaboration with the seismology group of the Department of Environmental, Earth and Life Sciences of the University of Genoa.
Seismometric network
The monitoring network installed in the area is designed to record seismic signals, to know where earthquakes occur and to assess their magnitude.
Publication date:Friday 19 January 2024
Accelerometer network
The accelerometer monitoring network records the ground acceleration during the earthquake, for an assessment of the magnitude of shaking due to the earthquake.
Publication date:Friday 19 January 2024
Accelerometers in built-up areas
Accelerometers installed in built-up areas make it possible to know the effects caused by the earthquake, for better emergency management in the event of strong earthquakes.
Publication date:Friday 19 January 2024
Accelerometers at large dams
A dedicated network of accelerometers is installed near the large dams in Trentino
Publication date:Friday 19 January 2024
Webcams of seismic monitoring stations
Webcams are installed at the Paganella, Malga Gaggia, Panarotta, Careser, Lago Palù, Roncone, Dosso del Sommo, Varagna, Ozolo, Ziano di Fiemme and Malga Bissina sites.
Publication date:Wednesday 24 January 2024
Local seismic effects
The magnitude of the ground shaking caused by an earthquake at depth is not only due to the energy released at the hypocentre (the point at which the earthquake is generated in the earth's crust), but also to how the seismic waves are transmitted to the surface and how they interact with the different geological materials near it. The changes that are generated near the surface, at an observation site, are known as local seismic effects.
Seismic microzonation
Seismic Microzonation studies possible local effects following ground shaking induced by an earthquake at depth.
Publication date:Wednesday 24 January 2024
Seismic hazard map
Among the Seismic Hazard Maps, the seismic hazard map assesses not only the 'basic' seismic hazard, i.e. related to the so-called reference earthquake, but also the 'local' seismic hazard, i.e. due to site seismic effects.
Publication date:Monday 22 January 2024
Seismotectonics
Seismotectonics is the discipline concerned with studying the relationship between seismicity and tectonics in order to identify and characterise seismic sources and the seismogenetic potential of active geological structures.
Read moreSeismic classification
The entire Italian territory is classified from a seismic point of view, based on the intensity and frequency of past earthquakes.
Read moreTechnical regulations and seismic action
The Technical Regulations for Construction define the criteria for assessing seismic action, based on the national seismic hazard map.
Read moreTechnical and scientific insights
In-depth materials on earthquakes and seismological issues
Earthquakes in Trentino - Studies and tools for seismic risk reduction
Proceedings of the workshop held on 14 May 2024 in Trento on the main seismological activities developed in Trentino on seismic hazard and risk
Publication date:Friday 21 June 2024
