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Subsurface imaging in urban environments: Insights from multi-method geophysical surveys in the historical center of Messina (southern Italy).

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Title: Subsurface imaging in urban environments: Insights from multi-method geophysical surveys in the historical center of Messina (southern Italy).
Authors: Adam, Malik Adam Alddoum1 (AUTHOR) malik.adamalddoumadam@studenti.unime.it, D'Amico, Sebastiano1,2 (AUTHOR) sebastiano.damico@um.edu.mt, De Domenico, Domenica1 (AUTHOR) domenica.dedomenico@unime.it, Panzera, Francesco3 (AUTHOR) francesco.panzera@unict.it, Presti, Debora1 (AUTHOR) debora.presti@unime.it, Scolaro, Silvia1 (AUTHOR) silvia.scolaro@unime.it, Totaro, Cristina1 (AUTHOR) cristina.totaro@unime.it
Source: Engineering Geology. Jul2026, Vol. 369, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Geophysical surveys, Earthquake hazard analysis, Cities & towns, Shear waves, Public spaces
Geographic Terms: Messina (Italy), Italy
Abstract: The city of Messina, southern Italy, is characterized by high seismic hazard and complex near-surface conditions. Messina has been repeatedly struck by destructive earthquakes over the last centuries, most notably the M7.1 event of 1908, which caused near-total destruction. Reconstructions following these earthquakes generated thick and laterally non-uniform anthropogenic deposits (rubble and debris) that, combined with vertically heterogeneous stratigraphy, might pose significant challenges for accurate subsurface characterization and site response analysis. In this study, we performed integrated geophysical surveys in the historical center of Messina, focusing on the area surrounding the Cathedral, where urban stratigraphy is strongly influenced by both natural and anthropogenic processes. Ambient noise data were analyzed using the Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio technique to estimate fundamental resonance frequencies and delineate major impedance contrasts. Active and passive surface-wave methods, including Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves and array-based approaches, were employed to retrieve shear-wave velocity profiles at different depths. The combined results allowed the identification of key stratigraphic interfaces, the recognition of laterally variable anthropogenic fills and deposits, and the estimation of the main discontinuities within the uppermost layers. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of a multi-method approach in resolving shallow subsurface complexity in highly urbanized areas. The outcomes provide essential input for seismic microzonation, site response modeling, and hazard mitigation strategies in one of the most seismically vulnerable urban environments of the central Mediterranean. • Integrated HVSR and surface-wave surveys in Messina Cathedral area. • Identification of shallow anthropogenic layers and lateral variability. • MASW, ESAC, and f-k analyses provide complementary Vs constraints. • Joint inversion improves depth estimate of main impedance contrast (∼100 m). • Robust Vs models support site response and seismic microzonation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Engineering Geology is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
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DbLabel: Engineering Source
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PubTypeId: academicJournal
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  Data: Subsurface imaging in urban environments: Insights from multi-method geophysical surveys in the historical center of Messina (southern Italy).
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Adam%2C+Malik+Adam+Alddoum%22">Adam, Malik Adam Alddoum</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> malik.adamalddoumadam@studenti.unime.it</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22D'Amico%2C+Sebastiano%22">D'Amico, Sebastiano</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> sebastiano.damico@um.edu.mt</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22De+Domenico%2C+Domenica%22">De Domenico, Domenica</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> domenica.dedomenico@unime.it</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Panzera%2C+Francesco%22">Panzera, Francesco</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> francesco.panzera@unict.it</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Presti%2C+Debora%22">Presti, Debora</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> debora.presti@unime.it</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Scolaro%2C+Silvia%22">Scolaro, Silvia</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> silvia.scolaro@unime.it</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Totaro%2C+Cristina%22">Totaro, Cristina</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> cristina.totaro@unime.it</i>
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  Data: The city of Messina, southern Italy, is characterized by high seismic hazard and complex near-surface conditions. Messina has been repeatedly struck by destructive earthquakes over the last centuries, most notably the M7.1 event of 1908, which caused near-total destruction. Reconstructions following these earthquakes generated thick and laterally non-uniform anthropogenic deposits (rubble and debris) that, combined with vertically heterogeneous stratigraphy, might pose significant challenges for accurate subsurface characterization and site response analysis. In this study, we performed integrated geophysical surveys in the historical center of Messina, focusing on the area surrounding the Cathedral, where urban stratigraphy is strongly influenced by both natural and anthropogenic processes. Ambient noise data were analyzed using the Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio technique to estimate fundamental resonance frequencies and delineate major impedance contrasts. Active and passive surface-wave methods, including Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves and array-based approaches, were employed to retrieve shear-wave velocity profiles at different depths. The combined results allowed the identification of key stratigraphic interfaces, the recognition of laterally variable anthropogenic fills and deposits, and the estimation of the main discontinuities within the uppermost layers. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of a multi-method approach in resolving shallow subsurface complexity in highly urbanized areas. The outcomes provide essential input for seismic microzonation, site response modeling, and hazard mitigation strategies in one of the most seismically vulnerable urban environments of the central Mediterranean. • Integrated HVSR and surface-wave surveys in Messina Cathedral area. • Identification of shallow anthropogenic layers and lateral variability. • MASW, ESAC, and f-k analyses provide complementary Vs constraints. • Joint inversion improves depth estimate of main impedance contrast (∼100 m). • Robust Vs models support site response and seismic microzonation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Engineering Geology is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=194205917
RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2026.108794
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 1
        StartPage: N.PAG
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Geophysical surveys
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Earthquake hazard analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cities & towns
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Shear waves
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Public spaces
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Messina (Italy)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Italy
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Subsurface imaging in urban environments: Insights from multi-method geophysical surveys in the historical center of Messina (southern Italy).
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            NameFull: Adam, Malik Adam Alddoum
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            – D: 01
              M: 07
              Text: Jul2026
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              Y: 2026
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