Multidisciplinary Study of Mud Emissions Following the 2016 Norcia Earthquake

We report composition, grain size, and rheological data related to the mud emitted as a consequence of the maximum moment magnitude (M-w max = 6.5) on 30 October 2016, commonly referred to as the Norcia earthquake (central Italy), and on the activity of pre-existent mud volcanoes affected by the central Italy seismic sequence started on 24 August 2016. The emission sites were located at Monteleone di Fermo and Santa Vittoria in Matenano, two municipalities near the town of Fermo (Marche Region, Italy). We sampled, measured, and analyzed the products of mud emissions 3 days after the mainshock to characterize the mud by geochemical, mineralogical, and rheological analyses. The muds' geochemical composition and low electrical conductivity suggest a continental origin, likely belonging to the Colombacci Formation. The collected muds are silt-sand-water-rich suspensions characterized by a Bigham rheology with viscosity values between 6.3 & BULL;10(7) and 6.9 & BULL;10(5) Pa & BULL;s. The calculated minimum fluidization velocity of the mud suspensions is between 0.05 m/s (grain size of 2 & mu;m) and 0.74 m/s (grain size of 8 & mu;m). Water-rich mud suspensions flowing on a slope move faster as the water content increases up to 30 wt.%. At higher values, the velocity remains almost constant due to the disaggregation of bonds among the solid particles in the mixtures.

Automated summary

We present a study on the mud emitted during the Norcia earthquake in central Italy, as well as the effects of the earthquake sequence on pre-existing mud volcanoes. The mud samples were analyzed for composition, grain size, and rheological properties. The results suggest a continental origin for the mud and provide insights into its flow behavior. The findings contribute to a better understanding of mud emissions and their relationship with seismic activity.