Active tectonics and seismic zonation of the urban area of Florence, Italy

The city of Florence possesses a concentration of cultural and artistic tre asures which is unique in the world. In this sense it has a particularly hi gh seismic exposure and a potentially high vulnerability. In order to bette r evaluate its seismic hazard and risk, we analyzed the seismic response of the urban area of Florence by performing a multidisciplinary study on the effects of earthquakes on the city. By a computer aided methodology we re-e valuated the seismic intensity reports of the May 18 and June 6, 1895 earth quakes in different parts of the city and compared these data with recent s tudies on surface geology, active tectonics and actual fault movements in t he Florence basin. We concluded that more detailed studies of soil response are needed to form a basis for public policy.