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The along‐strike rupture directivity of 16 of the strongest earthquakes (4.4 ≤ Mw ≤ 6.5) within the 2016–2017 central Italy seismic sequence is estimated by investigating high‐frequency S wave amplitude variations versus source azimuths with an empirical Green's function deconvolution approach. The results confirm that an along‐strike rupture directivity is a persistent feature of normal‐faulting earthquakes in the Apennines. The preferred rupture directions of the 2016–2017 earthquakes and of similar‐magnitude events from the 1997 Umbria‐Marche and 2009 L'Aquila‐Campotosto seismic sequences show a significant spatial consistency. Different sectors of the Apennines show an alternating trend of preferential along‐strike rupture propagation directions with significant spatial and temporal stabilities independent of the magnitude. These results, if confirmed by further data, could lead to more refined hazard assessments of the investigated region.

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Seismic events characterize active hydrothermal and volcanic areas and may be due to magma/fluid migration, hydrothermal pressurization, gravitational instability, and local tectonics. On 21 August 2017, an M d 4.0 earthquake occurred at Ischia volcanic island (Italy), within an active hydrothermal system. We analyze seismic, Global Positioning System, and interferometric synthetic aperture radar data to shed light on the source mechanism of such an event. The low-frequency content (2 Hz), the low stress drop (0.01 MPa), and a low S/P spectral ratio suggest the involvement of fluids in the source mechanism. The focal mechanism suggests a mixed shear-tensile (opening) rupture with the P first arrivals showing up movements in the nearest stations. Geodetic data describe an E-W elongated area of coseismic subsidence overlapping a WSW-ENE fault bounding the hydrothermal reservoir at depth. The modeled deformation field is consistent with a two-source model consisting of a WSW-ESE striking, north dipping normal fault, and a closing subhorizontal crack. This closure immediately followed an initial opening related to a fluid pressurization event responsible for the earthquake. We show that moderate magnitude earthquakes in active hydrothermal areas may be associated with the pressurization/depressurization cycles of a hydrothermal reservoir due to self-sealing processes and not to the arrival of new fluids from depth. Other events like that recorded at Ischia, which have affected the island in historical times, are not necessarily associated with 'volcanic unrest' episodes and imply the occurrence of fault-valve mechanisms. Therefore, the dynamics of hydrothermal systems must be taken into account in the seismic hazard evaluation.

On October 2002, a seismic swarm occurred on Mt. Etna. One of the strongest events caused severe damage, up to a European Macroseismic Scale intensity of VIII that contrasts with its local magnitude of 4.4. The occurrence of significant damage at such a small magnitude is repeatedly observed in the area and is traditionally attributed to shallow source. Recorded strong-motion accelerograms and broadband seismograms demonstrate that there is one more cause for the severe damage, that is, an anomalously strong low-frequency (0:1 < f < 1 Hz) radiation deviating from the conventional Brune (1970) spectral scaling. Therefore, these earthquakes cause large ground displacements and long (≈20 sec) durations of shaking. The integration of digital accelerograms yields a maximum peak ground displacement as large as 1.8 cm at a distance of 18 km. Based on the sharp local attenuation of ground motion in the study area, we infer that peak ground displacements near the epicenters did exceed 10 cm. The occurrence of large displacements caused selective damage to medium-rise (≥ 3 stories) reinforced concrete buildings and elements like church façades.The frequency cutoff below 1.25 Hz in the Wood-Anderson response attenuates the peak-to-peak amplitudes used to assess local magnitudes. Therefore, M L values are not representative of the real strength of volcanic earthquakes. Because a prompt magnitude (and damage potential) assessment is crucial for civil protection actions, a procedure is proposed which, in near-real time, can be successful in identifying potentially damaging earthquakes of Mt. Etna through the computation of pseudovelocity response spectra. The procedure provides a magnitude value that is derived on a statistical basis from the Housner (1952) spectral intensity computed in the low-frequency band. This parameter is a suitable near-real-time indicator of large earthquake-induced building shaking and could also be applied for a preliminary estimate of the epicentral macroseismic intensity.