Urban MEMS based seismic network for post-earthquakes rapid disaster assessment
A. D'Alessandro
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Centro Nazionale Terremoti, Rome, Italy
Università degli Studi di Palermo, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Palermo, Italy
D. Luzio
Università degli Studi di Palermo, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Palermo, Italy
G. D'Anna
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Centro Nazionale Terremoti, Rome, Italy
Related authors
Antonino D'Alessandro
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-521, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-521, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences (NHESS).
Short summary
Short summary
Historical earthquake records extend knowledge of past earthquakes but are uneven and incomplete. This study compares historical and early modern earthquake locations worldwide to test how well historical data reflect real earthquake patterns. We show that historical records capture large-scale tectonic features but miss details at smaller scales. This means historical earthquakes are useful for broad hazard studies, but not for detailed local assessments.
Antonino D'Alessandro
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-628, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-628, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
Instruments that measure extremely small ground motions are vital for monitoring earthquakes, volcanoes, and slow Earth deformation. This study presents a virtual modelling approach that predicts sensor performance before construction. By accounting for physical limits, electronic effects, and uncertainty, the method clarifies what truly limits sensitivity and how designs can be improved, supporting the development of more accurate and robust tools for Earth science.
Massimiliano Guastella, Antonino Pisciotta, Raffaele Martorana, and Antonino D’Alessandro
Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XLVIII-M-7-2025, 169–179, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-M-7-2025-169-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-M-7-2025-169-2025, 2025
Alessandro Gattuso, Francesco Italiano, Giorgio Capasso, Antonino D'Alessandro, Fausto Grassa, Antonino Fabio Pisciotta, and Davide Romano
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 3407–3419, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-3407-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-3407-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Santa Barbara and Aragona are affected by mud volcanism with episodic hazardous paroxysm events. Two potentially hazardous paroxysm exposed surfaces of 0.12 and 0.20 km2 were elaborated with DSMs and with historical information on the paroxysms that occurred in the past. This paper, in the end, could be a useful tool for civil protection authorities in order to take appropriate risk mitigation measurements for exposed people and for monitoring activities.
Antonino D'Alessandro
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-521, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-521, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences (NHESS).
Short summary
Short summary
Historical earthquake records extend knowledge of past earthquakes but are uneven and incomplete. This study compares historical and early modern earthquake locations worldwide to test how well historical data reflect real earthquake patterns. We show that historical records capture large-scale tectonic features but miss details at smaller scales. This means historical earthquakes are useful for broad hazard studies, but not for detailed local assessments.
Antonino D'Alessandro
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-628, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-628, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
Instruments that measure extremely small ground motions are vital for monitoring earthquakes, volcanoes, and slow Earth deformation. This study presents a virtual modelling approach that predicts sensor performance before construction. By accounting for physical limits, electronic effects, and uncertainty, the method clarifies what truly limits sensitivity and how designs can be improved, supporting the development of more accurate and robust tools for Earth science.
Massimiliano Guastella, Antonino Pisciotta, Raffaele Martorana, and Antonino D’Alessandro
Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XLVIII-M-7-2025, 169–179, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-M-7-2025-169-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-M-7-2025-169-2025, 2025
Alessandro Gattuso, Francesco Italiano, Giorgio Capasso, Antonino D'Alessandro, Fausto Grassa, Antonino Fabio Pisciotta, and Davide Romano
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 3407–3419, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-3407-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-3407-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Santa Barbara and Aragona are affected by mud volcanism with episodic hazardous paroxysm events. Two potentially hazardous paroxysm exposed surfaces of 0.12 and 0.20 km2 were elaborated with DSMs and with historical information on the paroxysms that occurred in the past. This paper, in the end, could be a useful tool for civil protection authorities in order to take appropriate risk mitigation measurements for exposed people and for monitoring activities.
Cited articles
Ambraseys, N. N., Simpson, K. A., and Bommer, J. J.: Prediction of horizontal response spectra in Europe, Earthq. Eng. Struct. D., 25, 371–400, 1996.
Arias, A.: A measure of earthquake intensity, in: Seismic design of nuclear power plants, The MIT Press, 438–468, 1970.
Azzaro, R., Carocci, C. F., Maugeri, M., and Torrisi, A.: Microzonazione sismica del versante orientale dell'Etna, Studi di primo livello, Regione Siciliana, Dipartimento della Protezione Civile, Le Nove Muse Editrice, 184 pp., 2010.
Azzaro, R., D'Amico, S., Peruzza, L., and Tuvè, T.: Probabilistic seismic hazard at Mt. Etna (Italy): The contribution of local fault activity in mid-term assessment, J. Volcanol. Geoth. Res., 251, 158–169, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2012.06.005, 2013.
Chung, A. I., Neighbors, C., Belmonte, A., Miller, M., Sepulveda, H. H., Christensen, C., Jakka, R. S., Cochran, E. S., and Lawrence, J. F.: The Quake-Catcher Network Rapid Aftershock Mobilization Program Following the 2010 M 8.8 Maule, Chile Earthquake, Seismol. Res. Lett., 82, 526–532, https://doi.org/10.1785/gssrl.82.4.526, 2011.
Clayton, R. W., Heaton, T., Chandy, M., Krause, A., Kohler, M., Bunn, J., Guy, R., Olson, M., Faulkner, M., Cheng, M., Strand, L., Chandy, R., Obenshain, D., Liu, A., and Aivazis, M.: Community Seismic Network, Ann. Geophys.-Italy, 54, 6, https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-5269, 2011.
Cochran, E. S., Lawrence, J. F., Christensen, C., and Jakka, R. S.: The Quake-Catcher Network: Citizen Science Expanding Seismic Horizons, Seismol. Res. Lett., 80, 26–30, https://doi.org/10.1785/gssrl.80.1.26, 2009.
Cochran, E. S., Lawrence, J. F., Kaiser, A., Fry, B., Chung, A., and Christensen, C.: Comparison between low-cost and traditional MEMS accelerometers: a case study from the M 7.1 Darfield, New Zealand, aftershock deployment, Ann. Geophys.-Italy, 54, 728–737, https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-5268, 2012.
D'Alessandro, A.: The Marsili Seamount, the biggest European volcano, could be still active!, Curr. Sci., 106, p. 1339, 2014a.
D'Alessandro, A.: Monitoring of earthquakes using MEMS sensors, Curr. Sci., 107, 733–734, 2014b.
D'Alessandro, A. and D'Anna, G.: Suitability of low cost 3 axes MEMS accelerometer in strong motion seismology: tests on the LIS331DLH (iPhone) accelerometer, B. Seismol. Soc. Am., 103, 2906–2913, https://doi.org/10.1785/0120120287, 2013.
D'Alessandro, A. and Ruppert, N.: Evaluation of Location Performance and Magnitude of Completeness of Alaska Regional Seismic Network by SNES Method, B. Seismol. Soc. Am., 102, 2098–2115, https://doi.org/10.1785/0120110199, 2012.
D'Alessandro, A. and Stickney, M.: Montana Seismic Network Performance: an evaluation through the SNES method, B. Seismol. Soc. Am., 102, 73–87, https://doi.org/10.1785/0120100234, 2012.
D'Alessandro, A., D'Anna, G., Luzio, D., and Mangano, G.: The INGV's new OBS/H: analysis of the signals recorded at the Marsili submarine volcano, J. Volcanol. Geoth. Res., 183, 17–29, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2009.02.008, 2009.
D'Alessandro, A., Luzio, D., D'Anna, G., and Mangano, G.: Seismic Network Evaluation through Simulation: An Application to the Italian National Seismic Network, B. Seismol. Soc. Am., 101, 1213–1232, https://doi.org/10.1785/0120100066, 2011a.
D'Alessandro, A., Papanastassiou, D., and Baskoutas, I.: Hellenic Unified Seismological Network: an evaluation of its performance through SNES method, Geophys. J. Int., 185, 1417–1430, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2011.05018.x, 2011b.
D'Alessandro, A., Mangano, G., and D'Anna, G.: Evidence of persistent seismo-volcanic activity at Marsili seamount, Ann. Geophys.-Italy, Scientific News, 55, 213–214, https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-5515, 2012a.
D'Alessandro, A., Danet, A., and Grecu, B.: Location Performance and Detection Magnitude Threshold of the Romanian National Seismic Network, Pure Appl. Geophys., 169, 2149–2164, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-012-0475-7, 2012b.
D'Alessandro, A., Gervasi, A., and Guerra, I.: Evolution and strengthening of the Calabrian Regional Seismic Network, Adv. Geosci., 36, 11–16, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-36-11-2013, 2013a.
D'Alessandro, A., Mangano, G., D'Anna, G., and Luzio, D.: Waveforms clustering and single-station location of microearthquake multiplets recorded in the northern Sicilian offshore region, Geophys. J. Int., 194, 1789–1809, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggt192, 2013b.
D'Alessandro, A., Badal, J., D'Anna, G., Papanastassiou, D., Baskoutas, I., and Özel, M. M.: Location Performance and Detection Threshold of the Spanish National Seismic Network, Pure Appl. Geophys., 170, 1859–1880, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-012-0625-y, 2013c.
D'Alessandro, A., Scarf\`i, L., Scaltrito, A., Di Prima, S., and Rapisarda, S.: Planning the improvement of a seismic network for monitoring active volcanic areas: the experience on Mt. Etna, Adv. Geosci., 36, 39-47, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-36-39-2013, 2013d.
Evans, J. R., Allen, R. M., Chung, A. I., Cochran, E. S., Guy, R., Hellweg, M., and Lawrence, J. F.: Performance of Several Low-Cost Accelerometers, Seismol. Res. Lett., 85, 147–158, https://doi.org/10.1785/0220130091, 2014.
Grünthal, G.: European Macroseismc Scale 1998 (EMS-98), European Seismological Commission, subcommission on Engineering Seismology, working Groupo Macroseismic Scales, Conseil de l'Europe, Cahiers du Centre Euroéen de Géodynamique et de Séismologie, 15, Luxembourg, 99 pp., 1998.
Kohler, M. D., Heaton, T. H., and Cheng, M.-H.: The community seismic network and quake-catcher network: enabling structural health monitoring through instrumentation by community participants, Proc. SPIE 8692, Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems 2013, 86923X (19 April 2013), https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2010306, 2013.
Lawrence, J. F., Cochran, E. S., Chung, A., Kaiser, A., Christensen, C. M., Allen, R., Baker, J. W., Fry, B., Heaton, T., Kilb, D., Kohler, M. D., and Taufer, M.: Rapid Earthquake Characterization Using MEMS Accelerometers and Volunteer Hosts Following the M 7.2 Darfield, New Zealand, Earthquake, B. Seismol. Soc. A., 104, 184–192, 2014.
Lee, W. H. K., Celebi, M., Todorovska, M. I., and Igel, H.: Introduction to the special issue on rotational seismology and engineering applications, B. Seismol. Soc. Am., 99, 945–957, 2009a.
Lee, W. H. K., Igel, H., and Trifunac, M. D.: Recent Advances in Rotational Seismology, Seismol. Res. Lett., 80, 479–490, https://doi.org/10.1785/gssrl.80.3.479, 2009b.
Mangano, G., D'Alessandro, A., and D'Anna, G.: Long-term underwater monitoring of seismic areas: design of an Ocean Bottom Seismometer with Hydrophone and its performance evaluation, OCEANS 2011 IEEE Conference, 6–9 June, Santander, Spain, in OCEANS 2011 IEEE Conference Proceeding, 9 pp., https://doi.org/10.1109/Oceans-Spain.2011.6003609, 2011.
Peterson, J.: Observation and modelling of background seismic noise, U.S. Geol. Surv. Open-File Rept., Albuquerque, New Mexico, 93–322, 1993.
Simpson, K. A.: Attenuation of strong ground-motion incorporating near-surface foundation conditions, Ph.D. thesis, University of London, 1996.
Teisseyre, R., Takeo, M., and Majewski, E. (Eds.): Earthquake Source Asymmetry, Structural Media and Rotation Effects, Berlin: Springer, 2006.
Teisseyre, R., Nagahama, H., and Majewski, E. (Eds.): Physics of Asymmetric Continua: Extreme and Fracture Processes: Earthquake Rotation and Soliton Waves, Berlin & Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag, 2008.