In the framework of the Catania Project supported by GNDT (Gruppo Nazionale
per la Difesa dai Terremoti) seismic measurements have been carried out in
the shore sands of Catania to define their detailed shear wave velocity (V
) profiles and attenuation properties (Q). The method used, FTAN, is based
on the analysis of the dispersion curve extracted from signals generated by
controlled sources. The computation of complete synthetic seismograms enab
les the estimation of the attenuation properties of the surface layers. Her
einafter we analyse the shear seismic characteristics of the shore sands as
indicators of potential liquefaction phenomena.