Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The catastrophic 1883 earthquake at the island of Ischia (southern Italy): macroseismic data and the role of geological conditions

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Natural Hazards Aims and scope Submit manuscript

An Erratum to this article was published on 02 April 2009

Abstract

This article presents the results of a detailed study of the effects of the 1883 earthquake, which occurred at the island of Ischia (Gulf of Naples) and produced the total destruction of buildings in the epicentral area (Casamicciola town). Despite the moderate magnitude, this event was characterised by very high intensities (I max = XI degree MCS) mainly due to the shallow depth of the source. The study of the earthquake shows that the intensities, which decreased rapidly with distance, were affected by source directivity, according to the causative fault geometry and tectonic structures, while local amplification of damage was observed where soft soils outcrop. The attenuation of seismic intensity with distance was evaluated using the well-known relation of intensity versus epicentral distance (Blake’s method). The diverse gradients of attenuation, observed in different directions, were ascribed to the various geological features of the shallow crust of the island. In order to evaluate the role of geology in the damage level, we computed different attenuation models for stiff and soft soils outcropping on the island. A systematic local amplification of about 1 MCS degree associated to the presence of reworked tuffs was obtained. This study also shows the influence of geological conditions on the evaluation of macroseismic data and supplies useful elements to derive a predictive map of potential site effects.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abe K (1979) Magnitudes of major volcanic earthquakes of Japan 1901 to 192. J Fac Sci, Hokkaido Univ Ser VII 6:201–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Albarello D, Mucciarello M (2002) Seismic hazard estimates using ill-defined macroseismic data at site. Pure Appl Geophys 159:1289–1304. doi:10.1007/s00024-002-8682-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azzaro R, Barbano SS, D’Amico S, Tuvé T (2006) The attenuation of seismic intensity in the Etna region and comparison with other Italian volcanic districts. Ann Geophys 49(4/5):1003–1020

    Google Scholar 

  • Blake A (1941) On the estimation of focal depth from macroseismic data. Bull Seismol Soc Am 31(3):225–231

    Google Scholar 

  • Boccaletti M, Corti G, Gasperini P, Piccardi L, Vannucci G, Clemente S (2001) Active tectonics and seismic zonation of the urban area of Florence, Italy. Pure Appl Geophys 158:2313–2332. doi:10.1007/PL00001172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bommer JJ, Scherbaum F, Bungum H, Cotton F, Sabetta F, Abrahamson A (2005) On the use of logic trees for ground-motion prediction equations in seismic-hazard analysis. Bull Seismol Soc Am 95(2):377–389. doi:10.1785/0120040073

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boschi E, Guidoboni E, Ferrari G, Mariotti D, Valensise G, Gasperini P (eds) (2000) Catalogue of strong italian earthquakes from 461 B.C. to 1997 (CFTI3). Ann Geohys 43 (4):843–868 and CD-ROM

    Google Scholar 

  • Branno A, Esposito E, Luongo G, Marturano A, Porfido S, Rinaldis V (1984) The October 4th, 1983. Magnitude 4 earthquake in Phlegraean fields: macroseismic survey. Bull Volcanol 47(2 special issue):233–238

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchner G (1986) Eruzioni vulcaniche e fenomeni vulcano-tettonici di età preistorica e storica nell’isola d’Ischia. In: Tremblements de terre, éruptions volcaniques et vie des hommes dans la Campanie antique. Bibliothèque de l’Institut Francais de Naples, De uxième séries 7:145–188

  • Camassi R (2004) Catalogues of historical earthquakes in Italy. Ann Geophys 47(2/3):645–657

    Google Scholar 

  • Camassi R, Stucchi M (1996) NT4.1: un catalogo parametrico dei terremoti di area italiana al di sopra della soglia del danno. Milano, 86 pp

  • Carlino S, Cubellis E, Luongo G, Obrizzo F (2006) On the mechanics of caldera resurgence of Ischia Island (southern Italy). In: Troise C, De Natale G, Kilburn C (eds) Mechanisms of activity and unrest at large Calderas. Geological Society, London, pp 181–193 Special Publications, 269

    Google Scholar 

  • Cifelli F, Donati S, Funiciello F, Tertulliani A (2000) High-density macroseismic survey in urban areas. Part 2: results for the city of Rome, Italy. Bull Seismol Soc Am 90(2):298–311. doi:10.1785/0119990097

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Civetta L, Gallo G, Orsi G (1991) Sr and Nd isotope and trace element constraints on the chemical evolution of the magmatic system of Ischia (Italy) in the last 55, 000 ka. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 46:213–230. doi:10.1016/0377-0273(91)90084-D

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CPT04 Working Group (2004) http://emidius.mi.ingv.it/CPTO4/

  • Cubellis E (1985) Il terremoto di Casamicciola del 28 luglio 1883: Analisi degli effetti, modellizzazione della sorgente ed implicazioni sulla dinamica in atto. Boll Soc Natur Napoli 94:157–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Cubellis E, Luongo G (1998) Il terremoto del 28 luglio 1883 a Casamicciola nell’isola d’Ischia – “Il contesto fisico”. Monografia N.1 – Servizio Sismico Nazionale. Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, Rome, pp 49–123

    Google Scholar 

  • Cubellis E, Marturano A (2002) Mt.Vesuvius: a macroseismic study of the earthquake of October 9, 1999. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 118:339–351. doi:10.1016/S0377-0273(02)00301-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cubellis E, Marturano A (2006) Analysis of historical and present earthquakes at Campi Flegrei caldera for seismic hazard evaluation. International workshop “Campi Flegrei Caldera Deep Drilling Project” Naples, 29–31 May 2006. Deposited Earth-Prints. http://hdl.handle.net/2122/2072

  • Cubellis E, Carlino S, Iannuzzi R, Luongo G, Obrizzo F (2004) Management of historical seismic data using GIS: the island of Ischia (Southern Italy). Nat Hazards 33:379–393. doi:10.1023/B:NHAZ.0000048465.40413.17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cubellis E, Luongo G, Marturano A (2007) Seismic hazard assessment at Mt Vesuvius: Maximum expected magnitude. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 162:139–148. doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2007.03.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Natale G, Pinto S, Troie C, D’Alessandro G, Tammaro U (1998). Ischia: seismic surveillance. In: Gasparini P (ed) Data related to eruptive activity, unrest phenomena and other observations on the Italian active volcanoes. Geophysical monitoring of the Italian active volcanoes 1993–1995. Acta Vulcanolog 10(1):108–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Esposito E, Luongo G, Petrazzuoli SM, Porfido S (1992) Damage scenarios induced by the major seismic events from XV to XIX century in Naples City with particular reference to the seismic response. Proceedings of tenth world conference “Earthquake Engineering”. Madrid, 2:1075–1080

  • Fah D, Ruttener E, Noack T, Kruspan P (1997) Microzonation of the city of Basel. J Seismol 1:87–102. doi:10.1023/A:1009774423900

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fusi N, Tibaldi A, Vezzoli L (1990) Vulcanismo, risorgenza calderica e relazioni con la tettonica regionale nell’isola d’Ischia. Mem Soc Geol It 45:971–980

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasperini P (2001) The attenuation of seismic intensity in Italy: a bilinear shape indicates the dominance of deep phases at epicentral distances longer than 45 km. Bull Seismol Soc Am 91:826–841. doi:10.1785/0120000066

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gasperini P, Ferrari G (1997) Stima dei parametri sintetici: nuove elaborazioni. In: Boschi E, Guidoboni E, Valensise G, Gasperini P (eds) Catalogo dei Forti Terremoti in Italia dal 561 a.C. al 1990. ING-SGA

  • Giammarino MS, Tertulliani A, Galli G, Leta M (2005) Investigation of surface geology and intensity variability in the Palermo, Italy, urban area after the 6 September 2002 earthquake. Bull Seismol Soc Am 95(6):2318–2327. doi:10.1785/0120040214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grandori G, Perotti F, Tagliani A (1987) On the attenuation of macroseismic intensity with epicentral distance. In: Cakmak AS (ed) Ground motion and engineering seismology, developments in geotechnical engineering, vol 44. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 581–594

    Google Scholar 

  • Gruppo di Lavoro CPTI (1999) Catalogo Parametrico dei Terremoti Italiani. ING, GNDT, SGA, SSN. Bologna, 92 pp

  • Guadagno FM, Mele R (1995) Earthquakes induced landslides in the Island of Ischia (Southern Italy). In: Bell DH (ed) “Landslide Glissements de terrain”, 1951–1956. A.A.Balkema/Rotterdam/Brookfield. Proceedigs of sixth international symposium on the landslides, New Zealand, 10–12 February 1992

  • Guidoboni E, Comastri A (2005) Catalogue of earthquakes and tsunamis in the Mediterranean area from the 11th to the 15th century. Roma-Bologna

  • Hough SE, Martin S, Bilam R, Aktinson GM (2002) The 26 January M 7.6 Bhuj, India, earthquake. Observed and predicted ground motions. Bull Seismol Soc Am 92(6):2061–2079. doi:10.1785/0120010260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hough SE, Bilham R, Ambraseys N, Feldl N (2005) Revisiting the 1897 Shillong and 1905 Kangra earthquakes in northern India: site response, Moho reflections and a triggered earthquake. Curr Sci 88(10):1632–1638

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston-Lavis HJ (1885) Monograph of the earthquakes of Ischia. London-Naples

  • Joyner WB, Boore DM (1981) Peak horizontal acceleration and velocity from strong-motion records including records from the 1979 Imperial Valley, California, earthquake. Bull Seismol Soc Am 90(2):298–311. doi:10.1785/0119990097

    Google Scholar 

  • Judenherc S, Zollo A (2004) The Bay of Naples (southern Italy): constraints on the volcanic structures inferred from a dense seismic survey. J Geophys Res 109(B10312):2004. doi:10.1029/2003JB002876

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee VW, Manic M (1994) Empirical scaling of response spectra in former Yugoslavia. Proceedings of 10th European conference on earthquake engineering. Vienna, Balkema, Rotterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Lima A, Cicchella D, Di Francia S (2003) Natural contribution of harmful elements in the thermal groundwaters of Ischia Island (Southern Italy). Environ Geol 43:930–940

    Google Scholar 

  • Luongo G, Cubellis E, Obrizzo F (1987) Ischia storia di un’isola vulcanica. Liguori, Naples, 164 pp

  • Luongo G, Cubellis E, Di Vito MA, Cascone E (1995) L’isola d’Ischia: dinamica e struttura del M.Epomeo. In: “Cinquanta anni di attività didattica e scientifica del Prof. F. Ippolito”. Liguori (ed), Naples, pp 427–436

  • Luongo G, Carlino S, Cubellis E, Ferri M, Obrizzo F (1998) Seismic hazard in the island of Ischia (Italy). In: Buccianti A, Nardi G, Potenza R (eds) Proceedings of IAMG ‘98 the fourth annual conference of the international association for mathematical geology. De Frede, Naples, pp 938–943

    Google Scholar 

  • Macedonio G, Tammaro U (eds) (2005) Attività di sorveglianza dell’Osservatorio Vesuviano, Rendiconto anno 2003. Naples

  • McNutt SR (2005) Volcanic seismology. Annu Rev Earth Planet Sci 32:461–491. doi:10.1146/annurev.earth.33.092203.122459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mele R, Del Prete S (1998) Fenomeni di instabilità dei versanti in Tufo Verde del Monte Epomeo (Isola d’Ischia-campania). Boll Soc Geol It 117:93–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercalli G (1884) L’isola d’Ischia ed il terremoto del 28 luglio 1883. Mem Ist Lombardo Sci Mater Nat XV:99–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Molin P, Acocella V, Funiciello R (2003) Structural, seismic and hydrothermal features at the border of an active intermittent resurgent block: Ischia Island (Italy). J Volcanol Geotherm Res 121:65–81. doi:10.1016/S0377-0273(02)00412-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mucciarelli M, Peruzza L, Caroli P (2000) Tuning of seismic hazard estimates by means of observed site intensities. J Earthq Eng 4(2):141–159. doi:10.1142/S1363246900000084

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mucciarelli M, Masi A, Gallipoli MR, Harabaglia P, Vona M, Ponzo F, Dolce M (2004) Analysis of RC building dynamic response and soil-building resonance based on data recorded during a damaging earthquake (Molise, Italy, 2002). Bull Seismol Soc Am 94(5):1943–1953. doi:10.1785/012003186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nunziata C, Rapolla A (1987) A gravity and magnetic study of the volcanic island of Ischia, Naples (Italy). J Volcanol Geotherm Res 31:333–344. doi:10.1016/0377-0273(87)90076-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orsi G, Gallo G, Zanchi A (1991) Simple-shearing block resurgence in caldera depressions. A model from Pantelleria and Ischia. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 47:1–11. doi:10.1016/0377-0273(91)90097-J

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orsi G, Patella D, Piochi M, Tramacere A (1999) Magnetic modelling of the Phlegrean volcanic district with extension to the Ponza archipelago, Italy. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 74:179–214. doi:10.1016/S0377-0273(96)00063-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmieri L, Ogliarolo A (1884) Sul terremoto dell’isola d’Ischia della sera del 28 luglio 1883. Reale Accademia Scienze Fis. e Mat. di Napoli, I, ser.II, 1–28

  • Parascandola A (1937) Il periodo sismico 1927–1936 nell’isola d’Ischia. Boll Soc Natur Napoli XLIX:147–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Penta (1963) Sulle caratteristiche idrotermologiche dell’isola d’Ischia. Rend Acc Naz Lincei 34:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Peruzza L (2000) Macroseismic attenuation relationships of Italian earthquakes for seismic hazard assessment purpose. Boll Geofis Teor Appl 41(1):31–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Silveira D, Gaspar JL, Ferreira T, Queiroz G (2003) Reassessment of the historical seismic activity with major impact on S. Miguel Island (Azores). Nat Hazards 3:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Sousa ML, Oliveira CS (1997) Hazard mapping based on macroseismic data considering the influence of geological conditions. Nat Hazards 14:207–225. doi:10.1007/BF00128267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Surveillance Reports OV-INGV. http://www.ov.ingv.it

  • Termini D, Teramo A, Tuvé T, Bottari A (2005) On the observed filtering in the anisotropic distribution modelling of macroseismic intensity. Pure Appl Geophys 162:683–697. doi:10.1007/s00024-004-2632-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tertulliani A, Riguzzi F (1995) Earthquakes in the Rome during the past one hundred years. Ann Geofis XXXVIII(5/6):581–590

    Google Scholar 

  • Tibaldi A, Vezzoli L (1998) The space problem of caldera resurgence: an example from Ischia island, Italy. Geol Rundsch 87:53–66. doi:10.1007/s005310050189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trifunac MD (1990) How to model amplification of strong ground motion by local soil and geological site conditions. Earthq Eng Struct Dyn 19(6):833–846. doi:10.1002/eqe.4290190605

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vezzoli L (ed) (1988) Island of Ischia. Quaderni de La Ricerca Scientifica. CNR 10, 114 pp

  • Wells DL, Coppersmith KJ (1994) Updated empirical relationships among magnitude, rupture length, rupture area, and surface displacement. Bull Seismol Soc Am 84:974–1002

    Google Scholar 

  • Yokoyama I (2001) The largest magnitudes of earthquakes associated with some historical volcanic eruptions and their volcanological significance. Ann Geophys 44:1021–1029

    Google Scholar 

  • Zobin VM (2001) Seismic hazard of volcanic activity. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 112:1–14. doi:10.1016/S0377-0273(01)00230-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zobin VM (2003) Significant volcano-tectonic earthquake and their role in volcanic processes. In: Introduction to volcanic seismology. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 171–196

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by funding from the Regione Campania (Italy) Regional Law no. 5/03 and MUR FIRB AIRPLANE-INGV and partially supported by the ProCiv-INGV 2004–2006 project. We gratefully acknowledge G. Luongo for useful discussions and suggestions, and the editor V. Schenk for his advice and cooperation. We also thank the anonymous referees, who made helpful comments that have improved the quality of the final draft.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, INGV Sezione di Napoli Osservatorio Vesuviano, Via Diocleziano 328, 80124, Naples, Italy

    S. Carlino, E. Cubellis & A. Marturano

Authors
  1. S. Carlino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. Cubellis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Marturano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Carlino.

Additional information

An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11069-009-9387-y

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Carlino, S., Cubellis, E. & Marturano, A. The catastrophic 1883 earthquake at the island of Ischia (southern Italy): macroseismic data and the role of geological conditions. Nat Hazards 52, 231–247 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-009-9367-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-009-9367-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation