The INGV macroseismic photographic database (DFM): a structured photographic collection of earthquake effects in Italy

Abstract. The Macroseismic Photographic Database (DFM) is a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) dataset developed and maintained by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV). It provides a structured archive of photographic evidence documenting the effects of moderate to strong earthquakes in Italy since the late 1970s. The data collection is primarily carried out by the INGV's QUEST (QUick Earthquake Survey Team) during post-event macroseismic field campaigns. The database was initially conceived to preserve at-risk analogue photographic material but has evolved into a comprehensive digital resource where each image is catalogued with detailed metadata. The classification of building typologies and damage grades is standardised according to the principles of the European Macroseismic Scale 1998 (EMS-98). The DFM is designed for full interoperability within the INGV data ecosystem, linking each photograph to earthquakes, localities, and macroseismic observations contained in primary databases such as the Italian Seismological Instrumental and Parametric Database (ISIDe), the Parametric Catalogue of Italian Earthquakes (CPTI15), and the Italian Macroseismic Database (DBMI15). This paper describes the database structure, the data collection protocol, the metadata schema, and the technical solutions adopted to ensure data quality and accessibility. The DFM represents a valuable resource for scientific research in engineering seismology, historical seismology, and for training operators involved in damage assessment, providing crucial ground-truth data for seismic hazard studies and civil protection purposes. The dataset is publicly accessible at https://doi.org/10.13127/dfm (Quick Earthquake Survey Team, QUEST, 2023).