Dynamic modelling of stress accumulation in central Italy

We develop a viscoelastic dynamic model to calculate the stress distributio n in central Italy induced by different geodynamic processes likely active in the region: Africa-Eurasia convergence, Adriatic underthrusting/subducti on and asthenospheric upwelling underneath Tuscany. Model results are compa red with the hypocentral distribution of earthquakes and with the orientati on of P and T axes available for the region. The first order characteristic s of the seismotectonic observations in central Italy are: subcrustal seism icity, the pair extension-compression in Tuscany and in the outer Apennines , and the flexural behaviour evident in long wavelength orientation of T ax es. These features are reproduced by the combination of two processes: unde rthrusting of the Adriatic plate under the Apennines and asthenospheric upw elling underneath Tuscany. The comparison with available data does not give insights about slab pull as an ongoing process.