Topographic effects observed at Amatrice hill during the 2016–2017 Central Italy seismic sequence

The estimate of seismic site effects by experimental approaches is based on different assumptions aimed at simplifying the complex actual site conditions and related uncertainties. However, the reliability of the results can increase if the experimental data is focused on quite strong seismic sequences and the on-site acquisition of a large number of signals is deemed strategic for the assessment of the expected phenomena. Based on these considerations, the ground motion at the Red Zone sector of Amatrice hill, violently struck by the 2016–2017 Central Italy seismic sequence, was analyzed via an observational approach. A large set of weak motions (moment magnitude Mw 2.5–3.9) was analyzed in this study by means of standard (SSR) and horizontal to vertical (HVSR) spectral ratio techniques. The results from the experimental analysis of the site effects by using weak motion and noise signals show a significant amplification at the top of Amatrice hill with a remarkable polarization of the motion and changes in spectral shapes according to the topographic setting of the relief.