We investigate the ground deformation and source geometry of the 2016 Amatrice earthquake (Central Italy) by exploiting ALOS2 and Sentinel‐1 coseismic differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar (DInSAR) measurements. They reveal two NNW‐SSE striking surface deformation lobes, which could be the effect of two distinct faults or the rupture propagation of a single fault. We examine both cases through a single and a double dislocation planar source. Subsequently, we extend our analysis by applying a 3‐D finite elements approach jointly exploiting DInSAR measurements and an independent, structurally constrained, 3‐D fault model. This model is based on a double fault system including the two northern Gorzano and Redentore‐Vettoretto faults (NGF and RVF) which merge into a single WSW dipping fault surface at the hypocentral depth (8 km). The retrieved best fit coseismic surface deformation pattern well supports the exploited structural model. The maximum displacements occur at 5–7 km depth, reaching 90 cm on the RVF footwall and 80 cm on the NGF hanging wall. The von Mises stress field confirms the retrieved seismogenic scenario.

We focus on the coseismic surface faulting exposed along the Mt. Vettore‐Mt. Bove fault system (VBF, central Italy), that activated during the 24 August 2016, Amatrice earthquake (M_w6.0) and soon after reactivated during the 26 October Visso (M_w5.9) and 30 October Norcia events (M_w6.5 mainshock). We systematically recognized the coseismic surface ruptures of the aforesaid earthquakes, which document the repeated surface faulting on the same seismogenic structure in close temporal succession. We surveyed 1,747 evidence of coseismic ruptures, 325 fault plane attitudes along the Vettoretto‐Redentore segment, and over 4,000 data along the entire VBF that were organized in a GIS‐database. This data set allowed us to estimate the coseismic surface rupture length (SRL), maximum (MD) and average (AD) displacement associated with the M_w6.0 and M_w6.5 events. We found that the SRL and MD associated with the former are respectively 5.8 km and 28.5 cm and AD reaches 12.7 cm. For the mainshock, the values of SRL ≥ 22 km and MD = 222 cm were measured. The cumulative, post‐30 October parameters are SRL = 30 km, MD = 240 cm, AD = 36 cm. Despite that the MD of the M_w6.0 event differs by ~1 order of magnitude respect to the mainshock MD, the two slip profiles display a similar multiscale sinuosity showing a significant control of the long‐term fault segmentation on the coseismic rupturing. Comparing the obtained coseismic parameters with literature global earthquakes data highlights some peculiarities of the 2016 central Italy surface rupture pattern, which suggest caution in applying empirical relationships to highly segmented seismogenic faults.

The application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, in geological, geomorphological, and geotechnical studies has gained significant attention due to their versatility and capability to capture high-resolution data from challenging terrains. This research uses drone-based high-resolution photogrammetry to assess the geomechanical properties and rockfall potential of several rock scarps within a wide area of 50 ha. Traditional methods for evaluating geomechanical parameters on rock scarps involve time-consuming field surveys and measurements, which can be hazardous in steep and rugged environments. By contrast, drone photogrammetry offers a safer and more efficient approach, allowing for the creation of detailed 3D models of a cliff area. These models provide valuable insights into the topography, geological structures, and potential failure mechanisms. This research processed the acquired drone imagery using advanced geospatial software to generate accurate orthophotos and digital elevation models. These outputs analysed the key factors contributing to rockfall triggering, including identifying discontinuities, joint orientations, kinematic analysis of failures, and fracturing frequency. More than 8.9 × 10⁷ facets, representing discontinuity planes, were recognised and analysed for the kinematic failure modes, showing that direct toppling is the most abundant rockfall type, followed by planar sliding and flexural toppling. Three different fracturation grades were also identified based on the number of planar facets recognised on rock surfaces. The approach used in this research contributes to the ongoing development of fast, practical, low-cost, and non-invasive techniques for geomechanical assessment on vertical rock scarps. In particular, the results show the effectiveness of drone-based photogrammetry for rapidly collecting comprehensive geomechanical data valid to recognise the prone areas to rockfalls in vast regions.

We use a multidisciplinary approach to gather preliminary evidence for a Quaternary east‐dipping extensional detachment in Central Italy. This structure crops out in the Sabini‐Eastern Simbruini (SES) and would be hidden at mid‐crustal depths beneath the L'Aquila 2009 (M_w6.3) epicentral area. TheSESgeometry is reconstructed through geological mapping, structural analysis and seismic line interpretation. The geometry of the mid‐crustal segment, referred to as the Ocre Segment (OS), is interpreted through seismological analyses of the largest aftershock (M_w5.4) of the L'Aquila 2009 sequence. The kinematic compatibility between theSESand theOSunder a commonSW–NEtensional field is tested through stress inversion of both geological and seismological data. The reliability ofOSactivation is tested through slip tendency analysis. Like other Italian cases, theSESand theOSare preliminarily interpreted as expressions at different depths of the same unknown east‐dipping extensional detachment, characterized by a ramp–flat–ramp geometry.

The following is a geological study of a Quaternary and active normal fault-system, which crops out in the Pollino area, a seismogenic sector of the Southern Apennines, Italy.From 2010 to 2014, this area was affected by long lasting seismic activity characterized by three major events which occurred in May 2012 (Mw 4.3), in October 2012 (Mw 5.2) and in June 2014 (Mw 4.0). The integration of structural-geological data with morpho-structural and remote sensing analyses, led to define the geometry, the kinematics, the cross-cutting relationships and the slip rates of the inferred active fault segments within and near the epicentral area.We reconstructed an asymmetric extensional pattern characterized by low-angle, E and NNE-dipping faults, and by antithetic, high-angle, SW- to WSW-dipping faults. The geometry of the faults at depth was constrained using high-resolution hypocenter distributions. The overall system fits well with the deformation field obtained from focal mechanisms and geodetic data.Comparing the fault pattern with the time-space evolution of the Pollino seismic activity, we identified the seismogenic sources in two, near-parallel, WSW-dipping faults, whose seismogenic potential were assessed.The peculiar perpendicular-to-fault-strike evolution of the seismic activity, is discussed in the frame of the reconstructed seismotectonic model

We present QUIN, a “QUaternary fault strain INdicators database”, designed to integrate and unify published and unpublished local-scale geological information and derive strain parameters for structural and seismotectonic analyses. It provides data on 3339 Fault Striation Pairs (FSP; fault plane and slickenline), distributed within 455 survey sites. These are exposed along the intra-Apennine Quaternary extensional faults of Central Italy. The area covers an extent of ~550 km in a NW-SE direction. We give information on FSP location, attitude and kinematics, and deformation axes. We also provide an original shapefile of the faults hosting the FSP. A large amount of homogeneously distributed Quaternary fault/slip data help to clarify and implement the contemporary geometric and kinematic deformation pattern of Central Italy that appears scattered and incomplete whenever exclusively derived from earthquake data. The high-density of structural data can help investigate stress pattern heterogeneities at local scales, with relevance for new generations of hazard assessment evaluation and a better understanding of rupture propagation and related barriers.