Seismic history of areas of moderate seismicity: the case of the Emilian plain and the Treviso area

This study is part of a research programme aimed at enhancing our understanding of seismic hazard through the analysis of moderate-energy historical earthquakes. The objective was to collect new information and review existing data on seismic events in two key areas: the Po Valley between Modena and Ferrara and the Veneto pre-Alps between Asolo and Treviso, to update hazard estimates and improve risk planning. Special attention was given to previously undocumented earthquakes and a critical analysis of historical sources, including archives, chronicles, and journalistic records. The methodology involved systematically collecting and selecting seismological and documentary sources, later interpreted in terms of macroseismic intensity. The BOXER code was used for parameterising seismological data, improving magnitude estimates and localisation. A total of 55 earthquakes were re-examined: 13 in the Modena-Ferrara plain, 23 in Asolo, and 19 in Treviso. The research also identified new, previously unrecorded seismic events, expanding regional seismic knowledge. These findings are crucial for updating seismic hazard maps and developing mitigation strategies in two highly vulnerable areas due to their population density and economic significance. The collected data refine hazard estimates and highlight the role of moderate-energy earthquakes, which, though not destructive, occur more frequently and can still cause damage. This study contributes to historical seismicity knowledge, providing essential data for local and regional prevention planning. The results serve as a new reference for future research and will enhance both the Catalogo Parametrico dei Terremoti Italiani (CPTI15) and the Database Macrosismico Italiano (DBMI15), which analyse seismic activity across Italy.