Investigating the interseismic coupling degree of the northern Apennines external Arc in Emilia Romagna region, (northern Italy)

The Emilia Romagna region, hosts part of the outermost sector of the northern Apennines. This domain is affected by a contractional stress dynamic results from the westward subduction of the Adriatic lithosphere and its flexural retreat. This process leads the formation of a thrusts and fold belt system, migrating toward east and north-east (Malinverno and Ryan, 1986; Fig. 1 a - b). The above-mentioned regional dynamics, determine a shortening deformation pattern, in the interseismic period, probably accommodated by various faults hidden below the Po-Plain, which represents the nowadays foredeep of the northern Apennines.