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Temporary seismic stations boost tomography capability to look into the earth. Case studies in the Northwestern Alps, Italy
No full textSeismic tomography serves as a potent means to investigate the Earth’s internal structure. This method closely resembles the one used in medicine and relies on variations (in path, amplitude or velocity) that seismic rays experience when passing through an anomalous body, such as a rock with higher density or an area subjected to high temperature. In the case of seismic tomography, earthquakes act as emitters while seismic stations function as receivers. Unlike in medicine, where a specialized machine ensures a uniform distribution of emitters and receivers, seismic rays do not originate from all directions, sometimes necessitating techniques to achieve an acceptable distribution. In such instances, installing temporary seismic stations can be beneficial to increase the density of ray intersections and enhance the method’s resolution power. While it has been frequently claimed in literature that this operation enhances seismic tomography, this is the first time where an experiment conducted specifically quantifies this enhancement, allowing a critical analysis of the associated advantages. The present study takes advantage of the large availability of seismic stations resulting from three projects recently conducted in the Alps in northern Italy.PublishedOST5 Verso un nuovo MonitoraggioN/A or not JC
The absolute gravity network of Italy in the framework of the ITGRS/ITGRF
No full textThe activities for establishing the Italian Reference Gravity Network started in 2022. This is in line with the actions promoted by the International Association of Geodesy that during its 2015 General Assembly approved a resolution on the establishment of the new global gravity network the so-called International Terrestrial Gravity Reference System/Frame that will replace IGSN71. An initial set of 30 stations has been defined over the peninsular part of Italy and the two main islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Particularly, the GGOS core station of Matera (the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana Center for Space Geodesy “Bepi” Colombo) is one of the network points as required in the documents of the GGOS-Bureau of Networks and Observations. Thus, this station will provide one link between the Italian national absolute gravity network and the GGOS observation system of IAG. In order to ensure the measurements traceability, as required by the international standards on gravity measurements, the absolute gravimeters used in the measurements participated in international comparison campaigns. Absolute gravity measurements have been supplemented with direct measurements of the local value of the vertical gravity gradient, in order to reduce the absolute values, measured by different instruments at different heights, to an intermediate and common reference height and to the ground reference level to transport it to an external associated station. The gravity field campaigns have been assisted by topographic survey campaigns, allowing a centimetric georeferencing of the gravity stations to the current ITRF. The collected data will be then validated and reduced following the internationally accepted standards and finally published through a dedicate web page of the project. These data will also be submitted to the absolute gravity database maintained by the Bureau Gravimétrique International/Bundesamt fuer Kartographie und Geodaesie where the absolute gravity data that will contribute to the new global absolute gravity reference system are collected.PublishedThessaloniki, GreeceOSA1: Variazioni del campo magnetico terrestre, imaging crostale e sicurezza del territori
Unraveling the Seismic Source in Archaeoseismology: A Combined Approach on Local Site Effects and Geochemical Data Integration
No full textArchaeoseismological research often deals with two unresolved questions: the magnitude
and level of damage caused by past earthquakes, and the precise location of the seismic source.
We propose a comprehensive review of an integrated approach that combines site effects with the
analysis of geochemical data in the field of archaeoseismology. This approach aims to identify active
buried faults potentially related to the causative seismic source and provide insights into earthquake
parameters. For each integrated method, we report the foundational principles, delineation of
theoretical field procedures, and exemplification through two case studies. Site effects analysis in
archaeoseismology assumes a pivotal role in unraveling historical seismic occurrences. It enables
estimating the earthquake magnitude, assessing the seismotectonic patterns, and determining the
resulting damage level. Valuable data related to earthquake parameters can be extracted by analyzing
vibration frequencies and acceleration measurements from structures within archaeological sites.
This information is instrumental in characterizing seismic events, evaluating their impact on ancient
structures, and enhancing our understanding of earthquake hazards within the archaeological context.
Geochemical investigations supply indispensable tools for identifying buried active faults. The analysis
of fluids and gases vented in proximity to faults yields valuable insights into their nature, activity,
and underlying mechanisms. Faults often manifest distinctive geochemical imprints, enabling the
differentiation between tectonically active and volcanically related fault systems. The presence of
specific gases can further serve as indicators of the environmental conditions surrounding these fault
networks. Integrating site effects analysis and geochemical investigations within archaeoseismological
research is crucial to improving our understanding of unknown past earthquakes. Moreover, it
enhances the seismic hazard assessment of the region under study.Published427-447OST1 Alla ricerca dei Motori GeodinamiciJCR Journa
CORAL—Catamaran for Underwater Exploration: Development of a Multipurpose Unmanned Surface Vessel for Environmental Studies
No full textCORAL (Catamaran fOr UndeRwAter expLoration) is a compact, unmanned catamaran-type vehicle designed and developed to assist the scientific community in exploring marine areas such as inshore regions that are not easily accessible by traditional vessels. This vehicle can operate in different modalities: completely autonomous, semi-autonomous, or remotely assisted by the operator, thus accommodating various investigative scenarios. CORAL is characterized by compact dimensions, a very low draft and a total electric propulsion system. The vehicle is equipped with a single echo-sounder, a 450 kHz Side Scan Sonar, an Inertial Navigation System assisted by a GPS receiver and a pair of high-definition cameras for recording both above and below the water surface. Here, we present results from two investigations: the first conducted in the tourist harbour in Pozzuoli Gulf and the second in the Riomaggiore-Manarola marine area within the Cinque Terre territory (Italy). Both surveys yielded promising results regarding the potentiality of CORAL to collect fine-scale submarine elements such as anthropic objects, sedimentary features, and seagrass meadow spots. These capabilities characterize the CORAL system as a highly efficient investigation tool for depicting shallow bedforms, reconstructing coastal dynamics and erosion processes and monitoring the evolution of biological habitatsPublished4544OSA4: Ambiente marino, fascia costiera ed Oceanografia operativaJCR Journa
A Lake Record of Geomagnetic Secular Variations for the Last 23 ka From Lake Chala: Toward a Composite Directional Lake Record of the Earth's Magnetic Field for Equatorial East Africa
No full textThe documentation and understanding of variations in the Earth's magnetic field through time is fundamental for several disciplines, but current geomagnetic models rely on datasets heavily biased toward the mid-and high northern latitudes. The African continent and surrounding islands and oceans are particularly underrepresented. Here, we present a new record of paleo-secular variation (PSV) of the inclinations over the last 23 ka from Lake Chala, situated at 3°S near Mt Kilimanjaro in eastern equatorial Africa. This groundwaterfed crater lake is characterized by a high sedimentation rate (ca. 1 cm/10 years) and a particularly wellconstrained age model based on 210 Pb and 14 C dating. The magnetic mineralogy of the sediments is tested with rock magnetic analyses. The Lake Chala inclination record shows four highs and lows over 20 ka and compares well with that of Lake Malawi (10°S) between 20 and 16.2 ka, and from 9.8 to 2.6 ka. This record is linked to PSV records at Lakes Victoria and Malawi using a sequence slotting technique to generate a composite PSV model for east Africa. Analyzed at best-possible resolutions up to 200 years, the Lake Chala PSV record not only represents an important contribution to improve our understanding of local and global features of the Earth's magnetic field. It also expands the utility of paleomagnetism as a key tool for dating and correlation both for archeological sites throughout East Africa and the many volcanoes, active or dormant, of the East African Rift System.Publishede2023GC011092OSA1: Variazioni del campo magnetico terrestre, imaging crostale e sicurezza del territorioJCR Journa
Soil CO2 emission and stable isotopes (δ13C, δ18O) of CO2 and calcites reveal the fluid origin and thermal energy in the supercritical geothermal system of Krafla, Iceland
No full textThe Krafla geothermal system is located within a volcanic center that periodically erupts basaltic lavas, and has recently attracted an economic interest due to supercritical fluids forming near a shallow magma intrusion (~ 2 km depth). Here, we discuss new soil CO2 flux and stable isotope data of the CO2 efflux (δ13C) and hydrothermal calcites (δ13C, δ18O) of drill cuttings to estimate both the current magmatic outgassing from soils and the thermal flows in the geothermal system. Soil CO2 emission is controlled by tectonics, following the NNE-SSW fissure swarm direction and a WSW-ENE trend, and accounts for ~62.5 t/d. While the δ18O of the H2O in equilibrium with deep calcites is predominantly meteoric, both the δ13C of the soil CO2 efflux and of the fluids from which calcite precipitated have a clear magmatic origin, overlapping the δ13C estimated for the Icelandic mantle (–2.5 ± 1.1 ‰). Estimates based on the soil CO2 emission from the southern part of the system show that these fluxes might be sustained by the ascent and depressurization of supercritical fluids with a thermal energy of ~800 MW. Such significant amount of energy might reach 1.5 GW if supercritical conditions extended below the whole investigated area. Finally, we report an increase in the soil CO2 emission of about 3 times with respect to 14 years ago, likely due to recent changes in the fluid extracted for power production or magmatic activity. Pairing the soil CO2 emission with stable isotopes of the efflux and calcite samples has important implications for both volcano monitoring and geothermal exploration, as it can help us to track magmatic fluid upflows and the associated thermal energy.Published108032OSA5: Energia e georisorseJCR Journa
Holocene to present-day coastal landscapes of Bar al Hikman (Oman): Neolithic waypoints on the shores of the Arabian Sea
No full textDramatic climatic and environmental changes over the last 12,000 years have significantly impacted Arabian coastal stratigraphy and human populations. The Bar Al Hikman peninsula (BAH), the largest low-lying area (1000 km2) along the Arabian Sea coast of Oman is a monsoon storm-dominated carbonate-evaporite system, where late Neolithic artifacts suggest human presence from at least 5.75–5.05 ka before the present (BP). Despite its archaeological significance at the crossroads of important Neolithic coastal sites in Dhofar, Masirah, and Ja'alan coast, paleoenvironmental interpretation, timing, and expression of relative sea level (RSL) changes in this coastal area remain poorly understood. Fortunately, the extensive size and arid climate of the area have preserved carbonate-dominated Mid-Late Holocene coastal geomorphologies exceptionally well, making this area an excellent geological archive to study past coastal environments, thereby understanding how environmental changes at BAH influenced Neolithic human mobility and settlement patterns. This study reconstructs the paleoenvironment of BAH over the last 12,000 years using a combination of field and remote sensing techniques, including satellite imagery, digital elevation models, bathymetric data, GIA modeling, and Sea Level Index Points to trace RSL history. The Holocene transgression began flooding the extensive continental shelf offshore BAH around 10 ka BP, progressively separating Masirah from the mainland through channel formation between 9.5 and 8.0 ka BP. It then inundated the present-day BAH peninsula around 7.7 ka BP, reaching a highstand of 2.5–3.2 m above present sea level by 6.0 ka BP (Mid-Holocene Highstand; MHHS), before gradually declining to the current level. Human presence documented at BAH (5.75–5.05 ka BP) coincides with the end of the mid-Holocene highstand, and the onset of the regression. This relative sea level history is contemporaneous to the aridification of Arabia, a period of transition from mangrove-dominated intertidal settings to coral reef and carbonate coastal barriers. The disappearance of mangrove-like gastropods around 5.4 cal ka BP and the subsequent appearance of significant coral fragments in the sediment indicates a critical change in terms of environmental settings with less nutrients and a warmer sea surface temperature). Comparing the findings at BAH to well-established nearby Neolithic sites on Masirah Island, the scarcity of prehistoric remains at BAH suggests that during the Mid-Holocene Highstand (MHHS), the small, rocky, paleo-low-lying islands at BAH may have served as waypoints and shelters between Masirah and the mainland.Published108842OSA4: Ambiente marino, fascia costiera ed Oceanografia operativaJCR Journa
Guidelines and best practices for Honest Brokers
No full textThis is a digest of the Deliverable 3.3 “D3.3 Guidelines and best practices for honest brokers” of the Horizon Europe Project Skills4EOSC. It provides guidelines and best practices on the role of Honest Brokers and the advantages of the Open Science practices for this figure. It outlines the challenges Honest Brokers face, such as accessing reliable information, dealing with uncertainties, and how Open Science resources can enhance their effectiveness. The guidelines cover ethical conduct, communication skills, legal aspects, and the impact of AI tools.Horizon Europe Skills4EOSCPublishedOS: Terza mission
Giornata ONT 2023 - Proceedings Volume
No full textThe “Giornata ONT 2023” arises from the will to let know within INGV how many activities do people from the Osservatorio Nazionale Terremoti (ONT), and how strong is their contribution to the INGV missions: Research, Services, Education, Communication.
In the nearly seven years of the current management the ONT has experienced a continuous evolutionary, sometimes complex, path. But it is always a straight path to pursue the objective of a continuous growth of the ONT.
During these years the ONT has changed its name (from Centro Nazionale Terremoti – CNT, to ONT); it has experienced the coming out of some employees that moved to create the Irpinia new Section; it has lived the novelty of incoming people (example from the Centro Allerta
Tsunami). It has also faced the need to overcome the limitations due to the worldwide pandemic emergency COVID19, either for the h24 services or for the research activities. Therefore in 2020 and 2021 we have only remotely attended the ONT days. The drive to be “in presenza”
comes from this latter issue. We strongly want to meet, to talk face to face, to “Welcome” the young colleagues who are the injection of new ideas and perspectives, that are the necessary fuel to evolve the knowledge.
As a matter of fact it emerges from the DNA of the ONT, i.e. the inclusiveness and the multidisciplinarity. This latter is widely testified by the ONT activities that are shared among the three Departments and their strategic objectives.
The agenda of the “Giornata ONT 2023” has specifically emphasized the variety of the technical and scientific contents, that for sake of simplicity have been collected in the following themes:
• Infrastructures, DataSharing and Laboratories
• Analysis, Modelling, Interpretation of Geophysical Phenomena
• National and International Projects (Research Results and Products from Completed Projects; Ongoing Projects)
• Society Communication, Dissemination, Emergency Management
• Seismic Surveillance And Tsunami Warning
Overall, the contributions have been 100, most of which are posters (77) and the remaining (23) in different exhibit formats. The wide interest about the proposed contents and the positive feedback from the attendance, pushed the decision to collect and publish the contributions in
a Miscellanea INGV, where the documents can be easily found.
And we are finally ready to make the Miscellanea available to the reader.
I would warmly thank the Authors for their enthusiastic acceptance to contribute, the Conveners of the “Giornata ONT 2023” Sessions for their availability to organise and manage the submitted poster/exhibits, the Editorial Board members for their hidden work that led to this Miscellanea.
In conclusion, let me spend a few words about my personal journey as Director of the ONT.
After 2504 days it has come to an end and the “Giornata ONT 2023” and the Miscellanea are, somehow, the cherry on top.
It is really difficult to say “Thanks” one by one to the people who helped me along this complex and long path.
So, please, let me simply say
Grazie a tutti voi!
Salvatore Stramondo - Director ONT (2017-2023)Published1-206N/A or not JC
Lahar events in the last 2000 years from Vesuvius eruptions – Part 2: Formulation and validation of a computational model based on a shallow layer approach
No full textIn this paper we present a new model for the simulation of lahars based on the depth-averaged code IMEX-SfloW2D with new governing and constitutive equations introduced to better describe the dynamics of lahars. A thorough sensitivity analysis is carried out to identify the critical processes (such as erosion and deposition) and parameters (both numerical and physical) controlling lahar runout using both synthetic and real case topographies. In particular, an application of the model to a syn-eruptive lahar from a reference size eruption from Somma–Vesuvius, affecting the Campanian Plain (southern Italy), described in Di Vito et al. (2024), is used in this work for the sensitivity analysis. Effects of erosion and deposition are investigated by comparing simulations with and without these processes. By comparing flow thickness and area covered by the flow and their evolution with time, we show that the modelling of both the processes is important to properly simulate the effects of the bulking and debulking as well as the associated changes in rheology. From a computational point of view, the comparisons of simulations obtained for different numerical grids (from 25 to 100 m), scheme order, and grain size discretization were useful to find a good compromise between resolution and computational speed. The companion paper by Sandri et al. (2024) shows an application of the presented model for probabilistic volcanic hazard assessment for lahars from Vesuvius deposits in the Neapolitan area.Published437–458OSV4: Preparazione alle crisi vulcanicheJCR Journa