Damage Assessment and Analysis of the 1997 Umbria-Marche Earthquakes

This paper reports the results of damage surveys carried out after the September 1997 Umbria-Marche earthquakes in collaboration with colleagues from the Italian Servizio Sismico Nazionale and the UK Earthquake Field Investigation Team. The extent of damage in the epicentral area and its relationship to the form of construction are described. The results of systematic damage studies in three towns damaged by the earthquake are presented, and conclusions are drawn on the relationship between damage and previous strengthening of masonry buildings. The paper also discusses the observed relationship between the level of ground motion recorded and the level of damage sustained, and the number of human casualties in comparison with estimations from existing models.