Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-506
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-506
04 Apr 2025
 | 04 Apr 2025

The impact of active and capable faults structural complexity on seismic hazard assessment for the design of linear infrastructures

Selina Bonini, Riccardo Asti, Giulio Viola, Giulia Tartaglia, Stefano Rodani, Gianluca Benedetti, Massimo Comedini, and Gianluca Vignaroli

Abstract. Since Active and Capable Faults (ACFs) may generate significant permanent deformation of the topographic surface, a careful evaluation of their spatial and geometric characteristics is essential for seismic hazard assessment when planning new linear infrastructures (e.g., roads, railway lines, pipelines). Although this is generally overlooked, the common structural complexity of fault zones leads to a non-uniform hazard along and across faults’ traces, because of deformation localization and partitioning. This study reviews the factors controlling fault rupture and propagation, specifically focusing on fault zone architecture and growth mechanisms. Four scenarios of physical interaction between ACFs and linear infrastructures are analysed. The fault-crossing scenario is likely the most susceptible to ground surface displacement, while the fault-parallel scenario needs evaluation of the width of fault damage zone overlapping with the infrastructure. Near-fault tip and transfer zone-crossing scenarios require assessment of the local deformation patterns. The importance of a structural geological approach toward the reliable assessment of seismic hazard related to ACFs, we review suitable investigations to derive appropriate geological deterministic constraints on the geometry, kinematics, slip and deformation style of ACF’s. Our approach may have significant impact on the legislation regulating the early stages of infrastructural design.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

04 Sep 2025
The impact of active and capable faults structural complexity on seismic hazard assessment for the design of linear infrastructures
Selina Bonini, Riccardo Asti, Giulio Viola, Giulia Tartaglia, Stefano Rodani, Gianluca Benedetti, Massimo Comedini, and Gianluca Vignaroli
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 2981–2998, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-2981-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-2981-2025, 2025
Short summary
Selina Bonini, Riccardo Asti, Giulio Viola, Giulia Tartaglia, Stefano Rodani, Gianluca Benedetti, Massimo Comedini, and Gianluca Vignaroli

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-506', Anonymous Referee #1, 26 Apr 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Selina Bonini, 16 May 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-506', Anonymous Referee #2, 02 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Selina Bonini, 16 May 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-506', Anonymous Referee #1, 26 Apr 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Selina Bonini, 16 May 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-506', Anonymous Referee #2, 02 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Selina Bonini, 16 May 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (further review by editor and referees) (06 Jun 2025) by Veronica Pazzi
AR by Selina Bonini on behalf of the Authors (17 Jun 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (25 Jun 2025) by Veronica Pazzi
RR by Kurtz Robin (07 Jul 2025)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (15 Jul 2025) by Veronica Pazzi
AR by Selina Bonini on behalf of the Authors (15 Jul 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (24 Jul 2025) by Veronica Pazzi
AR by Selina Bonini on behalf of the Authors (31 Jul 2025)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

04 Sep 2025
The impact of active and capable faults structural complexity on seismic hazard assessment for the design of linear infrastructures
Selina Bonini, Riccardo Asti, Giulio Viola, Giulia Tartaglia, Stefano Rodani, Gianluca Benedetti, Massimo Comedini, and Gianluca Vignaroli
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 2981–2998, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-2981-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-2981-2025, 2025
Short summary
Selina Bonini, Riccardo Asti, Giulio Viola, Giulia Tartaglia, Stefano Rodani, Gianluca Benedetti, Massimo Comedini, and Gianluca Vignaroli
Selina Bonini, Riccardo Asti, Giulio Viola, Giulia Tartaglia, Stefano Rodani, Gianluca Benedetti, Massimo Comedini, and Gianluca Vignaroli

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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
Considering the structural complexity related to the internal architecture of active and capable faults, seismic hazard may be linked to different fault attributes depending on the fault domain crossed by a linear infrastructure. We propose a structural geology-based approach for the preliminary study of the area potentially affected by earthquake-induced surface ruptures during infrastructural design, based on the geometric relationships between the active fault and the infrastructure itself.
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