Near-Source Simulation of Strong Ground Motion in Amatrice Downtown Including Site Effects

On 24 August 2016, a Mw 6.0 earthquake started damaging seismic sequence in central Italy. The historical center of Amatrice village reached the XI degree (MCS scale) but high vulnerability alone could not explain heavy damage. Unfortunately, at time only AMT station, 200 m away from downtown, recorded mainshock, whereas tens temporary stations were installed afterwards. We propose method to simulate ground motion affecting Amatrice, using FFT amplitude AMT, which has been modified by standard spectral ratio (SSR) computed 14 downtown. tested procedure comparing simulations and recordings two later mainshocks (Mw 5.9 6.5), underlining advantages limits technique. strong variability was related proximity source, accounted for peculiar site effects, described transfer function sites. largest amplification characterized close NE hill edge produced simulated values intensity measures clearly above one deviation GMM expected Italy, up 1.6 g PGA.