GNGTS 2023 - Atti del 41° Convegno Nazionale

Session 2.1 GNGTS 2023 Macroseimic data between XIX and XX cent. A very short history and some remarks C.H. Caracciolo INGV - Bologna This paper starts from the reflections and insights originated by the review of the Italian seismicity of the years thirties of the last century. Its purpose is firstly to summarize the history of the macroseismic information in Italy, from the middle of the XIX century up to the 1930s; then we will focus on the characteristics of the “macroseismic postcards” of the Royal Central Office of Meteorology and Geophysics, which perhaps represent the main historical source for this period. We begin the history of systematic collection of macroseismic information in Italy with the data produced by Giacomo Tassinari and Giuseppe Scarabelli on the occasion of the earthquake in the Imola area of 16 June 1854. The first was the chief pharmacist of the Imola hospital and a naturalist by passion, while Scarabelli composed the first geological maps in the peninsula. After the earthquake, the two scholars agreed to study the phenomenon and printed a letter in which they expressed to the addressees their interest in knowing “the intensity and the effects of the earthquake”. They also indicated a series of points on which they requested an answer (Fig. 1): “number, date, and time of the quakes; approximate duration; whether undulatory or sussultory; disasters happened; impressions received from those who were in a suitable position to properly evaluate the phenomenon".