Water-table and discharge changes associated with the 2016–2017 seismic sequence in central Italy: hydrogeological data and a conceptual model for fractured carbonate aquifers

• DOI: 10.1007/s10040-017-1717-7
• Publication Date: 2018-01-24T02:19:08Z
• Authors: Marco Petitta; Lucia Mastrorillo; Elisabetta Preziosi; Francesca Banzato; Marino Domenico B...; Andrea Billi; Costanza Cambi; Gaetano De Luca; Giuseppe Di Carlo; Diego Di Curzio; Cristina Di Salvo; Torquato Nanni; Stefano Palpacelli; Sergio Rusi; Michele Saroli; Marco Tallini; Alberto Tazioli; Daniela Valigi; Paola Vivalda; Carlo Doglioni
• Keywords: Hydraulic head

A seismic sequence in central Italy from August 2016 to January 2017 affected groundwater dynamics fractured carbonate aquifers. Changes spring discharge, water-table position, and streamflow were recorded for several months following nine Mw 5.0–6.5 events. Data 22 measurement sites, located within 100 km of the epicentral zones, analyzed. The intensity induced changes correlated with magnitude distance epicenters. additional post-seismic discharge rivers springs was found be higher than 9 m3/s, totaling more 0.1 km3 release over 6 months. This huge unexpected contribution increased narrow mountainous valleys previously unmeasured peak values. Analogously L'Aquila 2009 post-earthquake phenomenon, these hydrogeological might reflect an increase bulk hydraulic conductivity at aquifer scale, which would heads zones lower them some recharge areas. observed may also partly due other mechanisms, such as shaking and/or squeezing effects related intense subsidence core area, where had maximum extent, or breaching barriers.