COMMENTS

The source included in the Database is largely derived from the reconnaissance and 
trenching work of Cinti et al (1997; 2001) and is a NNS-trending, W-dipping, about 20 km-
long normal fault. Important debate about this source concerns the role of the Pollino 
Fault versus the Castrovillari Fault. In contrast with Cinti et al. (1997; 2001), some 
investigators consider the Pollino Fault as the true seismogenic structure that fills-in 
the southernmost part of the Pollino gap area (Ferreli et al., 1994, 1995; Vittori et al., 
1995; Michetti et al. 1997). They also consider the N-trending structures, such as the Castrovillari Fault and 
the Monte Moschereto Fault, as secondary faults slipping sympathetically with the 
primary Pollino Fault. 

Cinti et al. (1997; 2001) suggest that the Pollino Fault represent a barrier for further 
northward propagation of the Castrovillari Fault. This is an important constraint for 
the expected magnitude of an earthquake produced by the Castrovillari source. It is 
important to notice that the rare seismicity recorded in this area is prevalently located 
at the junction of the two structures, as commonly observed in the vicinity of many 
segment boundaries.


OPEN QUESTIONS

1) Is the interpretation of a Castrovillari Fault that involves only sympathetically part 
of the Pollino Fault, truly representative of seismogenic faulting in this area? 

2) Are the events identified in trenching across the Castrovillari Fault and Pollino 
Fault fully synchronous? Did the surface faulting events recognised in the trenches 
excavated in the western sector of the Pollino Fault affect its entire 18 km-long section 
between Masseria Marzano and Civita?

3) Is the lack of historical evidence of strong earthquakes in the Pollino area due to 
incompleteness of the historical record itself (loss of information owed due to the 
scarcity of population and of settlements in the area), or is it an indication of and 
extremely long recurrence interval?

4) Could the active deformation of this normal fault be adjusted aseismically because 
of particular local structural conditions?
