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Dynamic modelling of stress accumulation in central Italy
Author(s) -
Negredo A. M.,
Carminati E.,
Barba S.,
Sabadini R.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl900408
Subject(s) - geology , subduction , seismology , upwelling , slab , induced seismicity , lithosphere , compression (physics) , crust , geodynamics , geophysics , tectonics , oceanography , materials science , composite material
We develop a viscoelastic dynamic model to calculate the stress distribution in central Italy induced by different geodynamic processes likely active in the region: Africa‐Eurasia convergence, Adriatic underthrusting/subduction and asthenospheric upwelling underneath Tuscany. Model results are compared with the hypocentral distribution of earthquakes and with the orientation of P and T axes available for the region. The first order characteristics of the seismotectonic observations in central Italy are: subcrustal seismicity, the pair extension‐compression in Tuscany and in the outer Apennines, and the flexural behaviour evident in long wavelength orientation of T axes. These features are reproduced by the combination of two processes: underthrusting of the Adriatic plate under the Apennines and asthenospheric upwelling underneath Tuscany. The comparison with available data does not give insights about slab pull as an ongoing process.