Comprehensive Dataset on 1688 Sannio–Matese Earthquake Environmental Impact
Description
The 1688 Sannio–Matese earthquake that struck the province of Benevento in Southern Italy on June 5 had a profound impact on the region. This seismic event caused extensive damage and significant environmental effects with I=XI Mercalli-Cancani-Sieberg (MCS) and Mw=7.0. Our study addresses a critical knowledge gap regarding the earthquake's environmental effects by compiling a comprehensive dataset documenting the environmental seismic impact of the earthquake. We present a dataset of 43 environmental effects of the earthquake (EEEs), organized in a table format. For each locality where an EEE has been documented, the dataset includes the following information: • ID label: an identification number; • Locality: the geographic location where the EEE occurred; • Latitude and longitude: the geographic coordinates of EEE; • Epicentral distance (km): the distance from the epicenter of the earthquake to the locality of the EEE; • IMCS: the local macroseismic intensity assessed using the MCS (Mercal-li-Cancaci-Sieberg) scale from the CFTIMed catalogue; • Earthquake's Environmental Effects (EEEs): the type of the environmental effect, such as ground cracks, gas exhalation, hydrological anomalies, liquefaction, surface faulting, slope movements and jumping stones; • Class of EEEs: describes if the effect is primary (P) and/or secondary (S); • Main source of information coeval with the 1688 earthquake: describes the observed effect provided by the information coeval with the earthquake; • All contemporary and post-earthquake sources: contains all the consulted original literatures that reports the event; • IESI: is the local macroseismic intensity assessed using the ESI-07 scale. This study offers a critical reassessment of the earthquake's magnitude using environmental criteria, shedding light on the significance of environmental effect distribution for seismic hazard evaluations and land-use planning in the Sannio–Matese region. The results have the potential to improve seismic hazard models and guide strategies for infrastructure resilience, providing actionable data to mitigate risks in the Sannio-Matese area.
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We analyzed the earthquake's effects using the Environmental Seismic Intensity (ESI-07) scale that evaluate earthquake impacts based on geological and environmental effects (EEEs) rather than structural damage. We consulted over 120 historical, geological and scientific reports to collect and classify primary and secondary environmental effects observed during the event, many of which were previously undocumented. Our approach started with a thorough and critical examination of existing literature and catalogs documenting, albeit partially, the environmental impact of the earthquake. Building upon our meticulous study of sources cited by these earlier authors, we undertook a comprehensive and extensive archival research in Italy. We consulted documents from the State Archives of Naples, the General Archive of Simancas (Spain) and diplomatic documents from the State Archives of Benevento, Rome and the Vatican Secret Archives. Beyond archival sources, we consulted at several Campanian libraries, contemporary gazettes and eyewitnesses reports from local inhabitants, which provided crucial descriptions of the earthquake’s impact. Each source was evaluated based on its historical context, authorship and consistency with other sources. The integration of these diverse documents allowed a comprehensive understanding of the EEEs. We validated these historical sources through subsequent field reconnaissance studies, resulting in a dataset of 43 EEEs. This compilation documented primary effects such as surface faulting and extensive secondary effects affecting many towns across the region. These secondary effects include widespread landslides that altered river courses, liquefaction, gas exhalation, ground cracks and hydrological changes such as new springs. After cataloging these phenomena, we re-evaluated site-specific intensities (local intensities) and the earthquake’s epicentral intensity using the ESI-07-scale guidelines. This assessment yielded an epicentral intensity rating of IESI = X, revising the previously published IMCS = XI downward by one degree.
Institutions
- Universita degli Studi di Napoli Federico II Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell'Ambiente e delle Risorse