A dedicated site has been created for the extraordinary visual archive of recent Italian seismic history
The Macroseismic Photographic Database (DFM) has been launched, an innovative web platform, freely accessible, for the rich photographic archive of the effects of earthquakes on buildings, monuments and on the anthropic environment in general. Photographs that represent tangible evidence of the suffering of societies affected by seismic events.
The DFM represents the result of years of macroseismic investigations and surveys conducted by INGV researchers, technologists and technicians, actively involved in the activities of the QUEST (QUIck Earthquake Survey Team) emergency operational group. It is proposed as a virtual monument to the resilience and commitment of the scientific community in documenting the effects of earthquakes and preserving this precious photographic heritage for future generations.
The platform, now accessible to the public, contains thousands of photographs. Born from an idea that arose in the aftermath of the L'Aquila earthquake, the DFM team is committed to continuously enriching the database, constantly adding new events.
One of the project's distinctive features lies in its cataloging methodology. The DFM adopts the EMS-98 scale (European Macroseismic Scale - 1998) as a reference, a fundamental tool in macroseismic investigations. This choice allows both specialist experts, such as seismologists and engineers, and the general public, to access and understand the images in a clear and informative way.
The DFM is not just an online photo archive; is a resource dedicated to the research, conservation, enhancement and promotion of macroseismic photographic heritage. It currently includes over 1000 images from some of the most significant earthquakes that have hit Italy in recent decades, but its development is constantly progressing.
Photography, as a tool of immediate expression, makes DFM accessible to all, offering the possibility to explore, learn and engage with a rich series of seismic images.
The DFM is available at the following address:
For more information on QUEST (QUIck Earthquake Survey Team):
