Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-941
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-941
11 Mar 2025
 | 11 Mar 2025

Building up a subsurface geological model in active offshore areas: constraints from legacy seismic reflection profiles and deep wells in the 2022 Fano-Pesaro Mw 5.5 earthquake sequence area (Adriatic Sea, Italy)

Elham Safarzadeh, Maurizio Ercoli, Filippo Carboni, Francesco Mirabella, Assel Akimbekova, and Massimiliano Rinaldo Barchi

Abstract. Building a geological model in offshore areas is a complex task, due to the obvious absence of outcrops and thus the inaccessibility to the study site. The integration of key seismic reflection and borehole data is therefore fundamental, even if only available as legacy data on paper hard copy and/or characterized by an apparent low quality. However, such data are often the only ones available, and can still provide a high amount of detailed information for building a reliable geological model to compare and discuss with seismicity distribution in active areas. In this work, legacy seismic reflection profiles calibrated with boreholes are used to propose a new geological model of the frontal part of the Northern Apennines area struck by the 2022 Fano-Pesaro Mw 5.5 earthquake sequence (Adriatic Sea, Italy). The observed tectonic structures are originated by multiple décollements located at different depths and show a strong relationship between the faulting depth and the anticlines wavelength. Two structures, namely Pesaro and Cornelia anticlines, are interpreted as related to deep-seated thrusts, showing an en-echelon arrangement and thin-skinned deformation. A smaller wavelength structure, namely Tamara antiform, is interpreted to be related to shallow-seated imbricated fore-verging thrusts in the forelimb of the Pesaro anticline. We highlight the importance of constructing a well-constrained geological model by integrating legacy geological and geophysical data, aimed at offshore seismotectonic studies as well as at industrial applications, particularly in the context of energy transition.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

13 Oct 2025
New geological constraints on the subsurface structure of the 2022 Fano-Pesaro Mw 5.5 earthquake sequence area (Adriatic Sea, Italy) from legacy seismic reflection images and deep well information
Elham Safarzadeh, Maurizio Ercoli, Filippo Carboni, Francesco Mirabella, Assel Akimbekova, and Massimiliano Rinaldo Barchi
Solid Earth, 16, 1073–1096, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-1073-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-1073-2025, 2025
Short summary
Elham Safarzadeh, Maurizio Ercoli, Filippo Carboni, Francesco Mirabella, Assel Akimbekova, and Massimiliano Rinaldo Barchi

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Review on egusphere-2025-941', Anonymous Referee #1, 11 Apr 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Elham Safarzadeh, 30 May 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-941', Anonymous Referee #2, 28 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Elham Safarzadeh, 30 May 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Review on egusphere-2025-941', Anonymous Referee #1, 11 Apr 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Elham Safarzadeh, 30 May 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-941', Anonymous Referee #2, 28 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Elham Safarzadeh, 30 May 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Elham Safarzadeh on behalf of the Authors (17 Jul 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (22 Jul 2025) by Puy Ayarza
ED: Publish as is (19 Aug 2025) by Michal Malinowski (Executive editor)
AR by Elham Safarzadeh on behalf of the Authors (21 Aug 2025)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

13 Oct 2025
New geological constraints on the subsurface structure of the 2022 Fano-Pesaro Mw 5.5 earthquake sequence area (Adriatic Sea, Italy) from legacy seismic reflection images and deep well information
Elham Safarzadeh, Maurizio Ercoli, Filippo Carboni, Francesco Mirabella, Assel Akimbekova, and Massimiliano Rinaldo Barchi
Solid Earth, 16, 1073–1096, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-1073-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-1073-2025, 2025
Short summary
Elham Safarzadeh, Maurizio Ercoli, Filippo Carboni, Francesco Mirabella, Assel Akimbekova, and Massimiliano Rinaldo Barchi
Elham Safarzadeh, Maurizio Ercoli, Filippo Carboni, Francesco Mirabella, Assel Akimbekova, and Massimiliano Rinaldo Barchi

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Short summary
This study presents a new geological model of the Fano-Pesaro offshore area, refining its tectonic framework. We identified multiple fault detachments at different depths, influencing thrust system dynamics and deformation. This work highlights the importance of integrating seismic and borehole data, even legacy, to build reliable subsurface models. These findings contribute to improved seismic hazard assessment and support offshore energy development and carbon storage projects.
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