Geological impact on seismic attenuation and earth-quake damage: Case of L’Aquila earthquake (2009)

You The quality factor of waves is a key index of the accuracy of seismic wave absorption types, which is influenced by several factors among them on geological characteristics. This article confirms this relationship by analyzing the major earthquake of April 6, 2009, that occurred in Italy specifically in L’Aquila, with a magnitude of 6.3 ML, causing 308 deaths. This earthquake damaged between 10,000 and 15,000 buildings spread across 26 locations. This earthquake was a main cause for modifying seismic standards by giving more importance to soil types in each region. The 12 seismic events analyzed in this study are recorded with 7 stations located less than 7 km from the hypocenter, ensuring accuracy in the results obtained. This distance is less than 250 km, which is the maximum limit for this type of study, L’Aquila is made up of geological contrasts, with hard limestones being more dominant in the substrate of the Apennines, this type of limestone has led to low wave absorption, favoring an efficient transmission of seismic energy. However, this low energy dissipation has caused powerful ground vibrations, amplified by the loosely consolidated superficial sedimentary layers. This observation is justified by the obtained average regional attenuation relationship: Q(f) = 86.1 ± 13.6. f1.03 + 0.05