Research and in-depth analysis on seismic safety continue in Asolo. In recent days, a paleoseismic trench was excavated between Via Palladio and Via Montello as part of the Level 3 seismic microzonation study sponsored by the Municipality of Asolo. This project represents a further step forward in the series of geophysical surveys launched in recent years to better understand the presence and behavior of the seismic fault located at the foot of the city. It is worth noting that Asolo holds the presence of two seismographs operated by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), underscoring the scientific attention and constant monitoring dedicated to the Asolo area.
Specifically, the trench was excavated with a dual objective: to verify the possible presence of the fault and its capacity to cause surface deformations and, if identified, to define with greater precision the buffer zone that will then be incorporated into the municipality’s urban planning instruments. The study is coordinated by Scientific Director Dr. Maria Elena Poli together with geologists Livio Sartor, Francesco Marinoni, and Maurizio Olivotto, in collaboration with the Universities of Udine and Trieste.
By analyzing the walls of the excavation, researchers will be able to reconstruct the recent geological history of the fault’s movements, seeking to understand key factors such as the frequency with which it has been active in past centuries, the time elapsed since the last significant seismic event, any correlation with historical earthquakes recorded in Italian seismicity catalogs, and the maximum magnitude expected for an event linked to this geological structure.
The purpose of this trench is to “search” the walls of the excavation for information on past fault movements – explains Asolo’s mayor, Franco Dalla Rosa. – Based on the conclusions of this study, we will gain a better understanding of the fault’s history and its hazard potential. The information obtained will also allow for a more precise definition of the fault’s buffer zone, which will be incorporated into urban planning tools. This information, of course, is currently ‘uncertain’ and cannot be used to predict future earthquakes, – the researchers explain, – but it is nonetheless essential for obtaining as complete a picture as possible of seismic hazard.
