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Citizens’ smartphones unravel earthquake shaking in urban areas

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco Finazzi

    (University of Bergamo)

  • Fabrice Cotton

    (GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
    University of Potsdam)

  • Rémy Bossu

    (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre
    CEA, DAM, DIF)

Abstract

Seismic shaking maps (known as ShakeMaps) have become an essential tool for assessing the impact of a recent earthquake or for scenario studies of future events. The spatial resolution of ShakeMaps remains low, particularly in urban areas where spatial variations can have a major impact on damage due to varying population density. Smartphones, with their internal accelerometers and widespread use, help to increase the density of seismic recording precisely where the potential impact of the earthquake may be greatest. In this work, we use statistical spatial modelling to show that smartphone measurements collected by the Earthquake Network citizen science initiative allow us to map site amplification at high spatial resolution, generate high-resolution ShakeMaps, and improve existing ground motion models. We apply the method to the red zone of Campi Flegrei, Italy, a high volcanic and seismic risk area with around 500,000 inhabitants and characterised by a complex spatial pattern of site amplification.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Finazzi & Fabrice Cotton & Rémy Bossu, 2025. "Citizens’ smartphones unravel earthquake shaking in urban areas," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-64543-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64543-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Iunio Iervolino & Pasquale Cito & Melania Falco & Gaetano Festa & Marcus Herrmann & Anthony Lomax & Warner Marzocchi & Antonio Santo & Claudio Strumia & Luigi Massaro & Antonio Scala & Francesco Scott, 2024. "Seismic risk mitigation at Campi Flegrei in volcanic unrest," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Francesco Finazzi, 2020. "Fulfilling the information need after an earthquake: statistical modelling of citizen science seismic reports for predicting earthquake parameters in near realtime," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 183(3), pages 857-882, June.
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