Finite-fault parameters of the September 1976 M > 5 aftershocks in Friuli (NE Italy)

On September 1976 four strong aftershocks with M > 5 occurred in the Friuli area (NE Italy) causing more damage with respect to that caused by the M6.4 mainshock that occurred on May 6, 1976. Although many studies have been published on the 1976 Friuli seismic sequence, only recently have finite-fault models based on geological considerations (Galadini et al., 2005; Burrato et al., 2008) been proposed for these aftershocks. The aim of our study is to model the September 1976 seismic sources as finite faults by computing finite-fault synthetic seismograms for several possible proposed fault models and nucleation locations. The seismicity distribution following each of the four events gives us some further information about the areal extent of the related fault and its rupture propagation. About 9000 synthetic seismograms are computed for all the tested fault models adopting the reflectivity technique for an upper cutoff frequency of 1 Hz. A “trial and error” procedure is used to find the best fit between the recorded and computed peak ground acceleration derived from signals filtered at 1 Hz, that identifies the final models. These are selected also on the basis of the existing knowledge of fault traces in the area. The four best-fit models seem to be well related to the main Barcis-Staro Selo fault system, their spatial–temporal sequence evidencing an overall progressive East-to-West migration of the seismic activity related to the 1976 sequence.

► In this study we model the source related to four earthquakes occurred in Friuli on September, 1976.
► We apply a trial and error forward procedure using accelerometric data recorded close the epicenter.
► The retrieved source models are compared with tectonic studies and with aftershocks distribution: good agreement is found.
► We observe a migration of seismicity from East to West during the 1976 Friuli seismic sequence.