The Emilia-Romagna Region has approved contributions of 210 thousand euros for seismic microzonation studies in municipalities with low seismicity, with a delivery deadline of 31 March 2026. These loans, regulated by specific regional laws, aim to improve local seismic preparation.
Seismic microzonation studies must be completed by March 31, 2026
With managerial act no. 9008/2024, the Emilia Romagna region approved the list of Bodies benefiting from contributions for seismic microzonation studies in municipalities with low seismicityi.e. those with peak ground acceleration (ag) less than 0.125g. This provision follows the resolution of the Regional Council n. 260 of 20 February 2024.
The contributions are granted in accordance with article 8 of Regional Law n. 19/2008 and article 22 of Regional Law n. 24/2017, with a total amount of 210 thousand euros. These funds will be distributed among the requesting entities, as listed in Annex A of the measure. Seismic microzonation studies must follow the specifications indicated in Annex 2 of DGR 260/2024 and must be completed by March 31, 2026. The determination will be published in the form of an extract in the Official Telematic Bulletin of the Emilia-Romagna Region.
The Emilia-Romagna Region plays a fundamental role in the coordination of seismic microzonation activities and in the analysis of emergency limit conditions. It manages relations with the Department of Civil Protection and the other Regions, as well as supervising the distribution of contributions for seismic risk prevention interventions, provided for by article 11 of law 77 of 24 June 2009 and subsequently refinanced with law 145 of 30 December 2018. The financing methods are regulated by the ordinances of the Head of Civil Protection and the President of the Council of Ministers, which cover various financed interventions, including seismic microzonation in municipalities with low seismic danger.
To promote and facilitate seismic microzonation also in municipalities with ag lower than 0.125g, which cannot benefit from the contributions provided for by article 11 of law 77/2009, the Emilia-Romagna Region has allocated its own economic resources. These loans were provided for by various resolutions, including DGR n. 241/2017, the DGR n. 2245/2018, the DGR n. 566/2021 and the recent DGR 260/2024.
Seismic microzonation activities in the region are governed by specific guidelines approved with Legislative Assembly Resolution no. 112/2007 and subsequently updated with various resolutions of the Regional Council, up to the most recent resolution no. 564/2021.
Following the 2012 Emilian earthquake, the Geological, Seismic and Soil Service, now called the Geology, Soil and Seismic Area of the Territorial Defense Sector, played a crucial role in the implementation of seismic microzonation and in the analysis of the limit condition for the emergency. This work contributed to creating a reference cartography of the most affected areas, promoting reconstruction and urban planning.
