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Geological, geophysical and geotechnical investigations, for the characterization of the strong-motion recording sites managed by the Italian Civil Protection, have been carried out in the framework of the project "Italian strong-motion database in the period 1972-2004". The project aimed at creating an updated database of strong-motion data acquired in Italy by different institutions in the time span 1972-2004, and at improving the quality of disseminated data. This article illustrates the state of the recording site characterization before the beginning of the project, explains the criteria adopted to select the sites where geophysical/geotechnical investigation have been performed and describes the results of the promoted field surveys

Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and resistivity depth sounding surveys were undertaken at two sites located along the Chamelecòn Valley (Honduras). The objective of the surveys was to determine the occurrence, geometry and lithological properties of the Chamelecòn River's shallow paleochannels. Following the interpretation of aerial photograms which indicated the likely presence of paleochannels, two sites were selected for the surveys. Resistivity depth soundings were used to achieve electro-stratigraphic sections obtained by interpolating 1D inverted data that would assist with assessing the occurrence of paleochannels at a large scale. The presence of paleochannels at the two sites was assessed through interpretation of the electro-stratigraphic sections. At Site 2, the abundant 1D data, the small distance between the soundings and the shallow target, allowed determining the course of the paleoriver as shown by resistivity and electrical transmissivity maps. The results from the 1D data, although affected by strong heterogeneities, are congruent with the 2D inverted models. ERT surveys confirmed the presence of paleochannels and allowed achieving detailed imaging of the alluvial geological bodies. Paleochannel deposits show resistivity values ranging between 70 and 100 ohm m at Site 1, while resistivity values range between 90 and 120 ohm m at Site 2. The latter resistivity values were affected by the presence of coarser deposits. Resistivity values suggest that at both sites paleochannel deposits have a clay content that is lower than 3 %. Other alluvial deposits in the area show resistivity values that range between 19 and 70 ohm m at Site 1, while resistivity values range between 30 and 90 ohm m at Site 2. These lower values suggest that clay content can be as high as 29 %. The presence of paleochannels assessed by means of 1D surveys and the lithological characterisation assessed by means of 2D surveys were confirmed by logs from boreholes drilled at the sites.