High‐Resolution Seismic Profiling in the Hanging Wall of the Southern Fault Section Ruptured During the 2016 M _w 6.5 Central Italy Earthquake

Abstract The Vettore–Bove normal fault system in central Italy ruptured during the 2016 M W 6.5 Norcia earthquake causing extensive surface faulting. At Pian Grande di Castelluccio hanging wall basin, along southern section of mainshock, we performed a high‐resolution seismic reflection/refraction experiment aimed at (a) imaging shallow pattern system, and (b) reconstructing architecture continental infill. We collected three profiles for total length ∼8 km. used reflection processing flow non‐linear refraction tomography to obtain migrated stack sections P‐wave velocity images resolved down depth pre‐Quaternary substratum. main profile northern part basin crosses westernmost splays zone striking N150°–170°. Seismic unravels ∼1 km‐wide comprising W‐throwing subsidiary faults, which affect infill produce minimum aggregate Quaternary throw ∼400 ± 100 m. Recent deformation is localized this surveyed section, attesting active displacement accumulation system. other central‐southern show additional likely N20°–40° concurred generate ∼500 m‐deep depocenter. These faults were mostly an early extensional phase; however, one them displaces layers with close resolution limit data (<10 m), suggesting activity Late Pleistocene.