Ancient settlements in central Italy and capable faults: consequences for urban planning in the L'Aquila region

Active and capable faults (FAC) represent one of the most important risk for human activities in seismically active areas. The scientific and civil communities are constantly increasing their attention about this matter. In the Italian context, the post seismic reconstruction after the 2009 April 6th L'Aquila earthquake clearly highlighted the need of criteria for the old settlement rebuilding and/or the choice of new sites suitable for new villages. We focused our study on the identification of FACs in a sector of the central Apennines characterized by a high density of Quaternary faults and by a high density distribution of ancient urban settlements. Using classical geological, geomorphological and paleoseismological approaches, together with a temporal criteria and bibliographic analysis, we evaluate the activity and capability of the recognized faults. Then, we propose some analysis and reflections about the regulation concerning the FAC in Italy, taking into account the huge number and high density of FACs that involves the Italian urban settlements.