Three-dimensional seismo-tectonics in the Po Valley basin, Northern Italy

Abstract

The Po Valley (Northern Italy) is a composite foreland-foredeep basin caught in between the Southern Alps and Northern Apennine mountain belts. By integrating the 3D structural model of the region with the public earthquake dataset, the seismo-tectonics of the basin is shown at different scales of observation. The three-dimensional geo-volume is used to review the seismicity around the region and validate the structure-earthquake association for such a complex tectonic framework.Despite the overall uncertainty due to the original data distribution-quality as well as the crustal scale model dimension, the direct correlation between structures and seismicity a) confirms the Po Valley region as an active tectonic system and b) allows the whole structural architecture to be revised by a unique three-dimensional perspective and approach.This study also indicates that 3D methodology is a powerful tool for better understanding of highly complex seismo-tectonic situations at both regional and local scales.