Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2323
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2323
11 May 2026
 | 11 May 2026

A workflow for the identification of earthquake sources from macroseismic data

Veronica Gironelli, Lucia Luzi, Andrea Antonucci, and Andrea Rovida

Abstract. Macroseismic intensity data are a fundamental source of information for characterising historical earthquakes. This study presents a methodology to constrain the sources of large earthquake through the analysis and modelling of macroseismic intensity data. The proposed workflow consists of three main stages: (1) the identification and removal of outlier intensity data points; (2) the revision of macroseismic earthquake parameters (epicentral location and magnitude); and (3) the construction of three-dimensional (3D) seismogenic sources, simulation of ground shaking including site effects, and a subsequent residual analysis. The application of this workflow to a set of case studies from the parametric catalogue of Italian earthquakes demonstrates that the implemented approach allows the identification of seismogenic sources for large to moderate magnitude events, which are consistent with macroseismic data, geological structures and ground motion data, when available. The results of this study can have direct implications for seismic hazard assessment and shaking scenario modelling. The proposed workflow can be systematically applied to reconstruct the seismogenic sources of the strongest Italian historical earthquakes (Mw ≥ 5.5).

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

24 Sep 2026
A methodological workflow for the identification of earthquake sources from macroseismic data
Veronica Gironelli, Lucia Luzi, Andrea Antonucci, and Andrea Rovida
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 4569–4588, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-4569-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-4569-2026, 2026
Short summary
Veronica Gironelli, Lucia Luzi, Andrea Antonucci, and Andrea Rovida

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-2323', Anonymous Referee #1, 24 May 2026
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-2323', Josep Batlló, 15 Jun 2026

Peer review completion

AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload
ED: Submit a revised manuscript (24 Jun 2026) by Seda Yolsal-Çevikbilen
AR by Veronica Gironelli on behalf of the Authors (30 Jun 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (14 Jul 2026) by Seda Yolsal-Çevikbilen
RR by Josep Batlló (28 Jul 2026)
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (10 Aug 2026)
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (10 Aug 2026) by Seda Yolsal-Çevikbilen
AR by Veronica Gironelli on behalf of the Authors (01 Sep 2026)  Manuscript 

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-2323', Anonymous Referee #1, 24 May 2026
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-2323', Josep Batlló, 15 Jun 2026

Peer review completion

AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload
ED: Submit a revised manuscript (24 Jun 2026) by Seda Yolsal-Çevikbilen
AR by Veronica Gironelli on behalf of the Authors (30 Jun 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (14 Jul 2026) by Seda Yolsal-Çevikbilen
RR by Josep Batlló (28 Jul 2026)
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (10 Aug 2026)
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (10 Aug 2026) by Seda Yolsal-Çevikbilen
AR by Veronica Gironelli on behalf of the Authors (01 Sep 2026)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

24 Sep 2026
A methodological workflow for the identification of earthquake sources from macroseismic data
Veronica Gironelli, Lucia Luzi, Andrea Antonucci, and Andrea Rovida
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 4569–4588, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-4569-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-4569-2026, 2026
Short summary
Veronica Gironelli, Lucia Luzi, Andrea Antonucci, and Andrea Rovida
Veronica Gironelli, Lucia Luzi, Andrea Antonucci, and Andrea Rovida

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Short summary
We present an integrated workflow to identify earthquake seismogenic sources from macroseismic data. This approach includes macroseismic field pre-processing and revision of earthquake parameters. The application to both instrumental and historical earthquakes is illustrated through selected case studies. This approach provides a useful tool for reconstructing seismogenic sources and generating realistic shaking scenarios for past events, which have implications for seismic hazard assessment.
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