Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 2
Current macroseismic
data base for the 1789
earthquake (Castelli
et al. 1996)
Ta b l e 2
MIDP per-earthquake in the 18th century time-window of the Italian catalogue (CPTI
Working Group 2004)
18th century earthquakes (CPTI
Working Group 2004)
≤
10 MIDP
11-30 MIDP
31-100 MIDP
101-357 MIDP
126
79
19
16
7
MIDP: Macroseismic Intensity Data Points
As many outstanding methodological contributions pointed out along the years
(Ambraseys and Melville 1982; Gisler 2003; Guidoboni 2000; Guidoboni and Stuc-
chi 1993; Gutdeutsch and Hammerl 1988; Musson 1998; Vogt 1993 to name but a
few) to answer these questions one should, first of all, consider the historical cir-
cumstances within which the earthquake took place, and in which way they could
have influenced (i.e. furthered or hindered) the production of contemporary written
accounts of the earthquake itself and their preservation for future use by historical
seismologists.
2 The Historical Context Within Which the 1789
Earthquake Took Place
The 1789 earthquake occurred across what was then the frontier between two inde-
pendent countries - the Grand-Duchy of Tuscany and the Papal States - and at a time
of European strife. Both circumstances influenced the way in which contemporary
observers perceived the 1789 earthquake and recorded its effects for future memory.
The involvement of two countries implies that earthquake victims asked for
help to two distinct rulers (Pope Pius VI and Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo I of
Search WWH ::
Custom Search