Parametric spectral inversion of seismic source, path and site parameters: application to northeast Italy

Strong ground motion prediction is a fundamental topic in the field of engineering seismology, as it provides the input for seismic hazard studies as well as for vulnerability and risk assessment. The spectral modelling approach can provide a realistic representation of ground motion behaviour, possibly including its frequency variability, as the full ground motion spectrum is modelled analytically. In its parametric form, this approach requires a careful calibration of the model, starting from empirical observations and fitting the source, path and the site-specific response assuming a predefined physically constrained functional form. This study explores the use of spectral modelling for a study area in northeast Italy, at the border with Slovenia and Austria. It is based on the parametrization of seismic source and attenuation effects, and it also allows to estimate site effects, as a by-product. The main innovation with respect to standard spectral modelling is the inclusion of ded...