We present the results of an ItalianMaltese research, carried out to collect the macroseismic data needed to update the seismic catalogue of the Maltese Islands [Galea, 2007]. In this work we adopted the most uptodate criteria developed by Italian historical seismology, obtaining results that significantly improve knowledge, particularly for the 16501923 timewindow. Several previously unknown local earthquakes have been identified and evidence has been found of earthquake damage caused to the Maltese Islands both by earthquakes probably located in the Sicilian Channel (1658, 1780, 1861), and by some strong Greek earthquakes (1756, 1810, 1846). The European macroseismic scale 1998 (EMS98, GrĂ¼nthal [1998]) was used to assign macroseismic intensities. Basic information on seismic induced natural phenomena (landslides, tsunamis) was also collected, to be used as a further constraint on the location and size of associated earthquakes, or for paleoseismological studies. As an added bonus, the study collected evidence of some Sicilian earthquakes unknown to seismological literature and data useful to improve the macroseismic database of already known Sicilian and Greek earthquakes.

Published: 2021-07-08