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Recurrent patterns in the spatial behaviour of Italian seismicity revealed by the fractal approach
Author(s) -
De Rubeis V.,
Dimitriu P.,
Papadimitriou E.,
Tosi P.
Publication year - 1993
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 - 10.1029/93gl01889
Subject(s) - aftershock , induced seismicity , fractal dimension , fractal , geology , seismology , spatial distribution , correlation dimension , fractal analysis , dimension (graph theory) , mathematics , mathematical analysis , remote sensing , pure mathematics
Three are the essential parameters needed to describe seismicity: the b ‐value of the Gutenberg‐Richter relation and the spatial and temporal fractal dimensions ( D s and D t ). Several cases have been reported when a significant decrease in the b ‐value or in the spatial fractal dimension preceded major earthquake sequences or aftershocks. Here we use the fractal method based on the correlation integral to study the temporal changes in the spatial (2‐D) distribution of earthquakes in three important seismic zones of Italy. In all three zones D s shows significant variability, which correlates well with the major events and clearly marks the beginning and the end of an earthquake cycle. Finally, the nucleation of most major events is associated with a fractal dimension value which corresponds to the topological dimension of a plane.