Understanding the spatial and temporal variability of slip along individual faults and over complex fault systems is crucial for constraining the extent of co-seismic ruptures, estimating paleo-earthquake magnitudes, and refining seismic hazard assessments. While previous studies have primarily focused on timeframes spanning only a few seismic cycles, the long-term persistence of rupture barriers and cumulative slip distribution remains poorly constrained. In this study, we investigate slip variability across multiple timescales—from months to millions of years—along the Liri and Roccapreturo faults in the central Apennines.
These faults, located at the contact between Cretaceous limestone and Quaternary deposits, were analyzed through high-resolution topographic data derived from UAV-acquired imagery, Pleiades satellite and Lidar data, complemented by detailed field observations. Along the Liri fault, a ~16 km-long northern segment displays a subdued scarp morphology with no Quaternary deposits observed on the hanging wall, contrasting with a southern 30 km-long section where sharp fault scarps offset multiple Quaternary surfaces. A ~6–8 km-long relay zone separates fault segments striking between N110° and N160°. Cosmogenic ³⁶Cl dating of two offset alluvial surfaces yields minimum slip rates of ~0.4 to ~2 mm/yr over the past 35–27 kyr. Paleoseismic trenching within Quaternary deposits revealed evidence for at least three surface-rupturing earthquakes in the past ~2500 years, the most recent postdating 1226 CE.
The Roccapreturo fault system comprises a NE-verging main fault and a SW-verging antithetic fault, on which two trenches were excavated to characterize recent activity.
We will discuss how the displacement varies along both fault both in time and space.