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Water resources management for a sustainable nexus of hydrogeoethics and societal well-being
No full textGroundwater is a vital resource for humans, non-human species, and ecosystems. It has allowed the development of human evolution and civilizations throughout history (e.g., Wittfogel 1956, Tempelhoff et al. 2009, Cuthbert and Ashley 2014, Roberts 2014). However, it faces multiple potential threats that make it vulnerable and fragile. Climate change and human activities are the primary causes that have led to water cycle disruptions, particularly a decline in groundwater quality and quantity (e.g., Gleeson et al. 2020, Chaminé et al. 2022, Richardson et al. 2023). Climate variability has induced droughts, floods, and other extreme weather conditions, significantly impacting groundwater in many regions. Meanwhile, human activities such as over-abstraction, ground contamination, deforestation, land-use change, and other anthropogenic pressures have further compromised groundwater status. Nonetheless, groundwater continues to fulfill water demands in many regions or during specific periods. Therefore, concerted efforts are imperative to ensure its sustainability. So, conservation practices and nature-based solutions must be adopted to efficiently manage groundwater and shield it from additional potential hazards or risks (e.g., contamination, pollution, or over-abstraction). Failure to act quickly can result in the loss of this critical resource, with severe consequences for the economy, society, and ecosystems. From this perspective, it is imperative to prioritize actions underscored by technical-scientific integrity, environmental responsibility, societal sensitivity, and ethical practices.Published97OS: Terza missioneOSA5: Energia e georisorseJCR Journa
b value enlightens different rheological behaviour in Campi Flegrei caldera
No full textThe Campi Flegrei caldera is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world and since 2005 it is in unrest. Here we evaluate the 3D tomography of the b value at the Campi Flegrei volcanic area revealing a very good correlation with the structure of the hydrothermal system involved in the bradiseismic phenomenon. More precisely, we observe the smallest b-values where we expect the higher stress/strain concentration, namely in the caprock, and for the deepest seismicity. Conversely, the largest b values are observed where the porosity of the medium allows the passage of the volcanic gases toward the surface. Values of b close to typical tectonic ones are observed where the presence of faulting structures is well documented.Published275JCR Journa
Products and dynamics of lava-snow explosions: The 16 March 2017 explosion at Mount Etna, Italy
No full textVolcanic hazards associated with lava
flows advancing on snow cover are often
underrated, although sudden explosions related
to different processes of lava-snow/ice
contact can occur rapidly and are only preceded
by small, easily underrated precursors.
On 16 March 2017, during a mildly effusive
and explosive eruption at Mount Etna, Italy,
a slowly advancing lava lobe interacted with
the snow cover to produce a sudden, brief
sequence of explosions. White vapor, brown
ash, and coarse material were suddenly
ejected, and the products struck a group of
people, injuring some of them. The proximal
deposit formed a continuous mantle of ash,
lapilli, and decimeter-sized bombs, while the
ballistic material travelled up to 200 m from
the lava edge. The deposit was estimated
to have a mass of 7.1 ± 0.8 × 104 kg, which
corresponds to a volume of 32.0 ± 3.6 m3 of
lava being removed by the explosion. Data
related to the texture and morphology of the
ejected clasts were used to constrain a model
of lava-snow interaction. The results suggest
that the mechanism causing the explosions
was the progressive build-up of pressure due
to vapor accumulation under the lava flow,
while no evidence was found for the occurrence
of fuel-coolant interaction processes.
Although these low-intensity explosions are
not particularly frequent, the data set collected
provides, for the first time, quantitative
information about the processes involved
and the associated hazard and suggests that
mitigation measures should be established
to prevent potentially dramatic accidents at
worldwide volcanoes frequented by tourists
and with fairly easy access, such as Etna.Published2325–2342OSV2: Complessità dei processi vulcanici: approcci multidisciplinari e multiparametriciJCR Journa
Earthquakes unveil the global-scale fractality of the lithosphere
No full textThe relationship between the magnitude of earthquakes and their spatial and temporal distribution has been observed to exhibit a scale invariance hypothesised to originate from self-organized critical regimes. However, the fractality of earthquake distributions has been mostly established in circumscribed areas, despite the fact that the self-organized criticality of the lithosphere should only emerge at global or continental level. Here, we analyze seismic observations occurring over the whole Earth between 2004–2020 to investigate the fractal correlation dimension of earthquakes distribution. We find that the distribution of earthquakes is fractal on a global scale, as well as approximately magnitude-independent and stationary over decadal time scales. Our results set a primary constraint on the spatial scaling properties of lithosphere dynamics. We suggest that macroscopic models should fulfil this constraint to correctly replicate the features of seismicity, and potentially improve seismic hazard assessment.Published146OST4 Descrizione in tempo reale del terremoto, del maremoto, loro predicibilità e impattoJCR Journa
Temperature compensation in high accuracy accelerometers using multi-sensor and machine learning methods
No full textExperimental data are publicly available here: https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/f78bmhr628/1Temperature is a major source of inaccuracy in high-sensitivity accelerometers and gravimeters. Active thermal control systems require power and may not be ideal in some contexts such as airborne or spaceborne applications.
We propose a solution that relies on multiple thermometers placed within the accelerometer to measure temperature and thermal gradient variations. Machine Learning algorithms are used to relate the temperatures to their effect on the accelerometer readings. However, obtaining labeled data for training these algorithms can be difficult. Therefore, we also developed a training platform capable of replicating temperature variations in a laboratory setting.
Our experiments revealed that thermal gradients had a significant effect on accelerometer readings, emphasizing the importance of multiple thermometers.
The proposed method was experimentally tested and revealed a great potential to be extended to other sources of inaccuracy, such as rotations, as well as to other types of measuring systems, such as magnetometers or gyroscopes.This work was funded by “Regione Lazio” (Italy) with European Regional Development Fund (Italy, Lazio) through the call “Gruppi di Ricerca 2020 (POR FESR LAZIO 2014 – 2020), project number: A0375-2020-36674Published114090OSA1: Variazioni del campo magnetico terrestre, imaging crostale e sicurezza del territorioJCR Journa
Validation of the IRI-2020 topside ionosphere options through in-situ electron density observations by low-Earth-orbit satellites
No full textThe topside ionosphere extends from the F2-layer peak, where the electron density reaches its absolute maximum in the ionosphere, to the overlying plasmasphere and magnetosphere. In the topside ionosphere, the electron density decreases with height with a vertical variation rate strongly dependent on height itself. The last version of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model, i.e., IRI-2020, describes this complex behavior through four topside options based on different sub-models (i.e., options) developed from the 1970s to
the present. All these options have in common the F2-layer peak as an anchor point, while they differ in their topside electron density profile and/or plasma effective scale height formulations. In this work, we perform a validation of the accuracy of the four IRI-2020 topside options based on the comparison against in-situ electron density observations by Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON), and Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F15 low-Earth-orbit satellites.
Datasets used in this study encompass observations recorded from 1999 to 2022, covering different diurnal, seasonal, and solar activity conditions, on a global basis and for the height range 400–850 km above the ground. The nearly two solar cycles dataset facilitated the evaluation of IRI-2020 topside options ability to reproduce the spatial and time variations of the topside ionosphere for different solar activity conditions. The weaknesses and strengths of each IRI-2020 topside option are highlighted and discussed, and suggestions on
how to improve the modeling of the challenging topside ionosphere region within the IRI model are provided for future reference.In pressOSA3: Climatologia e meteorologia spazialeJCR Journa
Crustal stress pattern at Mt. Etna volcano
No full textStress fields may exhibit variegated patterns, especially in volcanic areas where several processes superimpose their effects in space and time. The comprehension of such patterns may not be straightforward to investigate. This work investigates the pattern of the crustal stress in the area of Mt. Etna Volcano (Sicily, Italy). This has been possible through a collection of more than 800 stress indicators derived from seismological and volcanological/geological information. In particular, the type of collected data allows to consider, for the first time in this area, two different temporal steps in the evolution of Etna volcano: the present-day and the previous volcanic phase at 15 ka. Results indicate a transition between a background shallow NW-SE tensional regime and a deep SW-NE compressional one that occurs between 6 and 16 km depth and which well fits with the present-day geodynamic framework of the area. The occurrence of small-scale lateral variations is interpreted as the second-order effect of the structures of the active front buried beneath the volcano, to the volcano loading, and to the feeding system. The temporal variations in the area surrounding the volcano suggest a major rearrangement of the background stress field evidenced by the swap between minimum and maximum horizontal stress directions. Conversely, during the same period, the stress pattern in the exact correspondence of the volcanic edifice showed to be stable and with a radial arrangement. Such coherence would support the literature which suggests a long-term inflation process started at least 15 kyr ago.Published102017OSV2: Complessità dei processi vulcanici: approcci multidisciplinari e multiparametriciJCR Journa
Advancing transparent and ethical AI
No full textPaul Cleverley, Silvia Peppoloni, Chuck Bailey and Simon Thompson discuss ongoing concerns around geoscience AI and the need for transparency.PublishedN/A or not JC
Vesuvius - Campi Flegrei Supersite Biennial Report 2024
No full textCurrently many studies are carried out in the Neapolitan Volcanic District (Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei and the Island of Ischia), thus demonstrating the interest by the Supersite science teams and the scientific community as a whole in this active volcanic area. The aims of these studies by the science teams, though not limited to, are: research, by taking part into international research projects/activities and monitoring, focused on the near real time surveillance of the volcanoes belonging to the Neapolitan Volcanic District, for benefit of the local and national Civil Protection agencies. Such monitoring activities are now mainly focused on Campi Flegrei, currently at the attention (yellow) level according to the Campi Flegrei Emergency Plan issued by the Italian Civil Protection Department, where an anomalous seismic activity has been recorded starting from September 2023, with shallow events with magnitude up to 4.4, clearly felt by people, also in the city of Naples. Since the beginning of the current unrest phase in November, 2005, Campi Flegrei area underwent an uplift > 130 cm to date in the maximum deformation area, close to the coastline (see the INGV-"Osservatorio Vesuviano" monthly surveillance reports https://www.ov.ingv.it/index.php/monitoraggio-e-infrastrutture/bollettini-tutti/bollett-mensilicf/anno-2024-3/). No significant events have been recorded in the time span covered by this report (2022-2024) neither in the Vesuvius area, nor in the Island of Ischia where, conversely, a Md=3.9 earthquake occurred on August 21 st , 2017. Moreover, during the 2022-2024 biennium of the Supersite initiative, there was an improvement and fine-tuning of the EPOS Data Portal infrastructure (https://www.ics-c.eposeu.org/), conceived for data and products dissemination within the scientific community and accessible through the Volcano Observations Thematic Core Service (VO-TCS) gateway (https://vo-tcs.ct.ingv.it/gateway/). In this biennium, besides the provision of InSAR data from X-and C-bands (TSX/TDX/CSK/S-1) already exploited since many years, more activities supporting scientists involved in this Supersite took place, i.e. the provision of PLEIADES tri-stereo optical data over Vesuvius, jointlyCoordinator:
- INGV (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, the Italian Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology) with the “Osservatorio Vesuviano” (INGV-OV), the “Osservatorio Etneo” (INGV-OE) and the “Osservatorio Nazionale Terremoti” (INGV-ONT) branches.
Participants:
- IREA-CNR (Istituto per il Rilevamento Elettromagnetico dell’Ambiente, the Italian Institute for the Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment from CNR, the National Research Council);
- Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Ottawa (Canada);
- University of Naples “Federico II”, Department of Earth Sciences, of the Environment and Resources (Italy);
- University of Rome 3, Sciences Department (Italy);
- Instituto de Geociencias, Universidad Complutense, Madrid (Spain);
- University of Colorado, Boulder (USA);
- Universidad de Chile, Santiago (Chile).SubmittedOSV3: Sviluppo di nuovi sistemi osservazionali e di analisi ad alta sensibilit
The role of remote sensing to enlarge knowledge on health state of a historical building hit by earthquake: the case of Garisenda leaning tower (Bologna)
No full textAn evaluation of the health state of a fragile historical building like a leaning tower, especially if it is located in an environment characterized by significant seismic risk, requires the integration of data obtained through various types of observation techniques. This is the case of the Garisenda Tower in Bologna, which is a 48 m high leaning tower, whose tilt angle reaches 4°, and for which some concerns about its stability recently grown. Historical sources, past and current monitoring of both structure and subsoil with several instruments, geological, geophysical and geotechnical surveying (in particular, continuous borehole coring) and experimental modal analysis provide a large amount of information on the tower and its environment. This study is aimed at pointing out how remote sensing can contribute to the achievement of a reliable picture of the current health state of the tower, considering that this picture could be useful for planning future reinforcement/restoration strategies. In particular, the results of the multitemporal morphological analysis of the tower façades, based on remote sensing data acquired in 2010, during the 2012 Emilia Romagna earthquake and in 2023, are shown and discussed on the basis of some available information. The morphological analysis can provide real and interesting information on geometric deformations, also highlighting their possible partial or total recovery when the stress ceases, in particular when a seismic sequence ends, although an almost total recovery of such deformations does not necessarily imply that the structure is not affected by permanent damage.PublishedS550JCR Journa