Brief communication: The crucial assessment of possible significant vertical movements preceding the 28 December 1908, <i>M</i>_w = 7.1, Messina Straits earthquake

Abstract. The 28 December 1908 Messina Straits earthquake represents one of the worst seismic catastrophes in world history. In spite relatively large and various amount data available geophysical investigations accomplished straits, seismogenic structure is still elusive intensely debated. Some models proposed for causative fault rely considerably on hypothesis significant subsidence preceding event. By driving results that differ critically from previously debated models, this assumption would have crucial repercussions hazard assessment area. However, critical analysis light allows rejection possibility.