Euro-Mediterranean Tsunami Catalogue (EMTC)

version 2

Epicenter coordinates, origin time, earthquake intensity (MCS scale) and equivalent moment magnitude from Rovida et al. (2016). Maximum run-up from Eva et al. (1995) and from Eva and Rabinovich (1997).

This is one of the most relevant earthquakes occurred in Liguria. During this seismic period many shocks occurred, but only three were particularly strong. The main shock caused severe damage in an area between Mentone and Albissola, about 100 km along the coast. More than 650 victims and about 160 injured people.

Shock violently felt by ships in the sea between Corsica and the coast of Liguria (Issel, 1888). In most of the villages along the coast (Riviera Ligure) the sea withdrew and returned to its normal level (Mercalli, 1897a).

Detailed information on sea lowering in the localities listed below given by Taramelli and Mercalli (1888) and Issel (1888).

At Diano Marina, sea level lowering about 30 cm.

At Porto Maurizio the sea level lowered 30 cm (Charlon, 1887). According to Issel (1888), a sea lowering of about 1 m was observed; then the sea rose about 1 m above msl, flooding the beach. During the third shock the harbor remained almost dried and then the sea came back violently.

At Sanremo some vessels broke moorings. The sea level lowered about 1m. A lot of fish was found on the beach (Gatta, 1889). Fluxes and refluxes were observed with 40 cm amplitude (Mercalli, 1897a). At Oneglia 4 m sea withdrawal was noted.

At Ospedaletti the sea withdrew about 1 m.

At Alassio about 30 m sea withdrawal (less than 1 m in height) at the first shock was observed, followed by beach flooding. The same fact occurred during the second and third shocks.

At Loano and Finale Marina 2 m sea withdrawal observed.

At Savona the sea withdrew and a lot of fish was found on the beach.

At Laigueglia the sea withdrew for more than 15 m (Minasi, 1971).

At Santa Margherita Ligure 15 m sea withdrawal was noted.

At Genoa after the main shock the sea withdrew in some places 10 m, in others 30 m (Tacchini, 1887).

At Albissola the sea withdrew about 1 m after the two shocks.

Also at Nice and Antibes the sea level lowered and the sea bottom was dried (Tacchini, 1887).

At Cannes and Antibes the sea lowered for about 1 m leaving boats on dried land and then the water rose for 2 m (BRGM, 2013).

At Villefranche the sea significantly withdrew (BRGM, 2013).

At Menton just after the shock the sea withdrew 2-3 meters for about 4-5 min, leaving the sea bottom dried. The sea came back to the shore and the sea level rose for about 2 m (BRGM,2013)

Maximum run-up (1.5 m) measured at Imperia (Eva et al., 1995; Eva and Rabinovich, 1997). Tide-gauge records available for Genoa and Nice (Mercalli, 1897a). The analysis of the available tide-gauge records give some information on tsunami: the first wave reached Genoa harbor in about 24 min after the shock and Nice in about 28 min. For both localities the first wave was negative, supporting the assumption that the earthquake was produced by release of a stress along an offshore normal fault. (Eva et al., 1995; Eva and Rabinovich, 1997).

Event studied and simulated by Eva et al.(1995), Eva and Rabinovich (1997).

Permanent coastal changes (shoreline regression) observed at Loano and between Imperia and Ospedaletti (Taramelli and Mercalli, 1888; Naudin, 1887; Ascari et al., 1937) are reported in Boschi et al. (1995).

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