Dataset of earthquake focal mechanisms for computing tectonic stresses in the central Mediterranean

Abstract

The Central Mediterranean area is characterized by the subduction of the Ionian Slab beneath the Eurasian Plate, giving rise to a highly seismically active region. Focal mechanism solutions were used to compute the tectonic stresses of this area as well as create a digital repository of with the location of each earthquake which occurred in one of the 7 pre determined regions within the time frame this study investigates. The computations were carried out using the STRESSINVERSE program as well as Google Earth. In the end, particularly in one region which encompasses the Apennine Mountain Range in central Italy, large stresses were computed as well as an area with very high seismic activity. Comparisons between the results in this study and other previous studies were made confirming the relevance of the information coming from this particular study.