Non-uniform scaling features in central Italy seismicity: A non-linear approach in investigating seismic patterns and detection of possible earthquake precursors

The detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) is a powerful method for capturing scaling behavior in nonstationary time series. Using an appropriate instability index, it is possible to identify and quantify deviations from uniform power-law scaling, which suggest the presence of changing dynamics in the system under study. In this context, the scaling behavior of the 1981 - 2007 seismicity in Umbria-Marche (central Italy), which is one of the most seismically active areas in Italy, was investigated. Significant deviations from uniform power-law scaling in the seismic temporal fluctuations were revealed mostly linked with the occurrence of rather large earthquakes or seismic clusters. Citation: Telesca, L., and M. Lovallo (2009), Non-uniform scaling features in central Italy seismicity: A non-linear approach in investigating seismic patterns and detection of possible earthquake precursors, Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L01308, doi: 10.1029/2008GL036247.