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Un podcast per parlare di Terra con le ricercatrici e i ricercatori della sezioneINGV di Bologna.
Si fa presto a dire Terra, ma come si studia un pianeta?
Come esploriamo la profondità del pianeta? Come è possibile decifrare le cause di fenomeni che sono tanto più grandi di noi, che sono spinti da forze che non vediamo ma sono in grado di sollevare le montagne, e di allargare gli oceani?
Ne parliamo in un podcast., le voci di ricercatrici e ricercatori ci racconteranno di esperimenti e di calcoli, di osservazioni e di analisi, di pericolosità e della sua percezione. Le voci di ricercatrici e ricercatori ci racconteranno di esperimenti e di calcoli, di osservazioni e di analisi, di pericolosità e della sua percezione
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La sezione INGV di Bologna
Già sede INGV dal 2002, la Sezione di Bologna dell’Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia viene istituita nel 2005. Forte di un organico di circa 80 persone, la Sezione si distingue per l’ampia varietà dei temi di ricerca scientifica, che abbracciano i tre Dipartimenti dell’INGV: AMBIENTE, TERREMOTI e VULCANI.
I Servizi Amministrativi della Sezione sostengono la ricerca in tutti i suoi aspetti e contribuiscono alla gestione di attività e progetti.
La ricchezza di competenze e profili professionali stimola l’approccio interdisciplinare e favorisce lo sviluppo di ricerche su temi trasversali ai tre Dipartimenti. Ad esempio: la ricerca storica ricostruisce e cataloga eventi sismici, vulcanici o climatici del passato; e lo studio del cambiamento climatico, integra informazioni ricavate dalla sismicità di origine glaciale.
Ci dedichiamo volentieri alla comunicazione della scienza, organizzando eventi e proponendo percorsi didattici dedicati alle Scienze della Terra e alla mitigazione dei rischi naturali.
Partecipiamo a diversi gruppi operativi che intervengono sul territorio in emergenze sismiche o vulcaniche
La Sezione collabora con le Università e accoglie studenti per tirocini, tesi di laurea e dottorati
Alcuni articoli scientifici recenti:
This study presents a multidisciplinary analysis of the Salse di Regnano, a significant mud volcanic area in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, aiming to develop a comprehensive research strategy to investigate its morphological evolution and fluid emission dynamics. High-resolution 3D models generated through UAV-based photogrammetric surveys enabled detailed mapping and monitoring of morphological features, capturing changes over an extended historical period (1907‑2025) by integrating regional geological maps and archival topographical data. In-situ measurements of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes revealed localized methane emissions associated with vents characterized by high soil permeability, while CO2 fluxes likely reflect biogenic soil respiration near mud deposits. However, geochemical signatures, including δ13C-CH4 values and the presence of ethane, suggest a thermogenic component, highlighting the complex interplay between biological and geological processes governing gas emissions in the area. Complementary satellite imagery and spatial analyses additionally elucidated the spatial distribution of these processes. This multidisciplinary approach not only advances the understanding of mud volcano dynamics in this geologically active region, but also establishes a practical and scalable methodological framework. The proposed workflow, incorporating targeted geophysical surveys such as geomagnetic and passive seismic measurements, aims to enhance the characterization of subsurface structures. As a preliminary study, this contribution provides a valuable foundation for subsequent monitoring and risk assessment efforts of mud volcanic systems in similar geological contexts. In this view, comparing present-day observations with historical data may also offer critical insights for assessing long-term hazard potential.
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This study investigates the Salse del Dragone mud volcanoes, located in the Apennine region of Italy, using an integrated approach that combines drone-based Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, morphological analysis, and the integration of diverse datasets. The primary focus is on high-resolution terrain mapping and characterization through SfM-derived data. Detailed surface features, including active gas emission points and surrounding topography, are thoroughly analyzed. The research also incorporates additional subsurface data obtained from passive seismic measurements, gas emission records, and satellite imagery to develop a comprehensive understanding of the area’s dynamics. These efforts aim to estimate the extruded mass volume and assess the spatial distribution of the phenomenon, which appears to be more extensive than previously thought. The study reveals significant morphological anomalies, highlighting the need for further investigation, which will soon be extended to neighboring areas. This research is part of the PROMUD project, funded by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).
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Gli studi archeosismologici sulle città storiche rivelano gli effetti dei terremoti sugli edifici e sulla società, scoprendo prove spesso perse o non registrate per scritto. Il progetto PROTECT, finanziato dal programma Horizon 2020 dell’UE, applica questi metodi al centro storico di Siena per migliorare la comprensione del rischio sismico e la tutela del patrimonio. Integrando dati umanistici e scientifici, mira a sviluppare un protocollo trasferibile ad altre città europee. Questo studio analizza il terremoto di Siena del 1467, mettendo in discussione le narrazioni esistenti con registri fiscali del 1468 che suggeriscono danni più estesi del previsto. Nuove prospettive emergono rivalutando eventi storici con nuove fonti.
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Gli studi archeosismologici sulle città storiche rivelano gli effetti dei terremoti sugli edifici e sulla società, scoprendo prove spesso perse o non registrate per scritto. Il progetto PROTECT, finanziato dal programma Horizon 2020 dell’UE, applica questi metodi al centro storico di Siena per migliorare la comprensione del rischio sismico e la tutela del patrimonio. Integrando dati umanistici e scientifici, mira a sviluppare un protocollo trasferibile ad altre città europee. Questo studio analizza il terremoto di Siena del 1467, mettendo in discus- sione le narrazioni esistenti con registri fiscali del 1468 che suggeriscono danni più estesi del previsto. Nuove prospettive emergono rivalutando eventi storici con nuove fonti. Archaeoseismological studies of historic towns reveal earth- quake impacts on buildings and society, uncovering evidence often lost or unwritten. The PROTECT project, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 program, applies these methods to Siena’s historic centre to enhance seismic risk understanding and improve heritage protection. By integrating humanistic and scientific data, it aims to develop a transferable protocol for other European towns. This paper presents findings on the 1467 Siena earthquake, challenging prior narratives with tax records from 1468 that suggest more extensive damage than previously believed. New perspectives emerge by reassessing historical events with fresh evidence.
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Each Italian earthquake included in the Italian Parametric Catalogue (CPTI) is based on a single study, with its database stored in the Italian Macroseismic Database (DBMI). The DBMI contains macroseismic-intensity data for approximately 5000 Italian earthquakes. However, for the same events, numerous studies have been independently carried out over the years, with the data of such studies not having been incorporated into the DBMI. By consolidating all available data for each event, it is possible to significantly enhance the dataset used for hazard assessments and the reconstruction of local seismic histories. This approach would make studies of individual events much more robust and comprehensive. The objective of this work is to propose the integration of different macroseismic datasets for individual events by identifying criteria that can effectively merge a large number of intensity data points. A total of 45 Italian earthquakes with data from multiple sources were identified and reassessed through a rapid review process. This effort has resulted in the creation of a new dataset (https://doi.org/10.13127/macroseismic/teral024, Tertulliani et al., 2024), substantially increasing the number of macroseismic data points (MDPs) for the earthquakes covered by this study compared to in the DBMI15 (from 2892 to 9328 MDPs). Consequently, the macroseismic distributions for these 45 events have become more detailed, robust, and extensive.
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Joint Meeting of IQuOD, GTSPP, SOOP, and XBT Science Groups What: More than 50 international experts of ocean observations, data quality control, and data management came together, under the umbrella of the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, to explore future collaborations and synergies for the efficient ocean in situ data and products provision (https://oceanexpert.org/event/4431). When: 11–15 November 2024 Where: Bologna (Italy)
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Numerical models are widely used to simulate volcanic gas dispersion and estimate local emission sources. However, significant uncertainties arise from the approximations inherent in their physical formulations. Recent advances in high-performance computing (HPC) have enabled high-resolution simulations with minimal numerical diffusion, revealing previously unnoticed limitations in the Monin–Obukhov Similarity Theory used within atmospheric gas dispersion models. One key issue is the determination of the minimum vertical turbulence diffusion coefficient (Kzmin) in the atmospheric surface layer (ASL), which plays a crucial role in reducing biases in advection–diffusion models caused by inadequate turbulence representation. In this study, we refine the Eulerian passive gas transport model DISGAS (v. 2.5.1) using measured data on fumarolic and diffuse CO₂ fluxes and air concentrations, along with local wind measurements collected during an ad hoc field campaign from 4 to 10 May 2023. To account for uncertainties in gas flow rates and turbulent velocity fluctuations, we conducted a statistically robust set of simulations by varying CO₂ fluxes and Kzmin values. Model outputs were compared with in situ CO₂ concentration measurements at fixed monitoring stations. Results indicate that during stable atmospheric conditions, setting Kzmin within the range of 1.5–2 m2 s−1 significantly improves agreement with observations and reduces systematic biases in source estimation. These findings refine model parameterization to better represent turbulence under stable atmospheric conditions at La Solfatara crater during the May 2023 survey. Moreover, the proposed methodology can be adopted for automated data assimilation workflows aimed at constraining unknown fumarolic gas source fluxes in other volcanic settings.
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Natural reservoirs that release CH4 can substantially increase atmospheric greenhouse gas levels, posing environmental and safety risks. Degassing phenomena in the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) have been documented across a variety of fluids and reservoir types, with a focus on their origin and evolution. This study combines ground measurements and satellite data analysis to explore the relationships between CH4 seepage, thermal anomalies, and vegetation stress at the Santa Maria Nuova (SMN) site in southern Po Valley. The explosion of a CH4-saturated water well in July 2021 prompted a two-year investigation in the adjacent cultivated field (1.5 ha), revealing significant spatial and temporal variations in diffuse CH4 fluxes (ranging from 0 to 917 g m− 2 d− 1) and corresponding CO2 fluxes (1.9–466 g m− 2 d− 1). Soil temperature measurements and thermal imaging identified localised ground heating, attributed to methanotrophic exothermic oxidation of CH4 to CO2. These hotspots correspond to areas of visibly stressed vegetation, marked by reduced vitality and barren areas. Satellite-derived Ratio Vegetation Index (RVI) data confirmed persistent vegetation stress over the anomaly site from 2017 to 2024. Geochemical analysis of soil gases indicated a primarily biogenic origin of CH4, supported by isotopic signatures (δ13C–CH4 values <− 60 ‰ V-PDB) and the presence of shallow Pleistocene carbonate deposits beneath the site, which can generate CH4 seepage. These findings demonstrate the utility of integrating ground-based and remote sensing techniques for monitoring CH4 seepage and its environmental impacts.
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In a recent work, we tested the ability to compute earthquake parameters (location and magnitude) using citizen testimonies collected by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). Each intensity estimated by individual non-professional users of the LastQuake smartphone application is indicated as an individual data point (IDP). Each IDP is archived by EMSC with a time stamp, allowing the calculation of the time delay from the earthquake origin time. To use IDPs as classic intensities, i.e. macroseismic data points (MDPs), identifying damage at the scale of towns or cities, they must be grouped into spatial clusters, which are then processed by the BOXER code to locate and size global earthquakes. A retrospective analysis on a dataset of more than 15,000 events collected over the past 10 years shows that the procedure can provide reliable parameters and that the results depend on the geographical area and improve over time and as the number of available IDPs/MDPs increases. The key question is whether early IDPs/MDPs can quickly provide reliable parameters (location and magnitude) for users and stakeholders (e.g. the civil protection agencies). Using clustering methods that statistically provide, on average, the best agreement with instrumental data, we tested some predefined time intervals within which to group the available IDPs into MDPs. We then applied the BOXER code to these MDPs, evaluating the agreement with the final instrumental parameters. Results confirm that reliability increases with the number and distribution of MDPs, strictly dependent on the number and distribution of available IDPs. This retrospective analysis demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach and its potential to quickly provide parameters for future real-time applications. The method may offer a reliable and rapid tool to support emergency response, improving as more IDPs/MDPs are collected.
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Field surveys focused on detailed mapping and measurements of coseismic surface ruptures along the causative fault of the 6 February 2023, Mw 7.8 Kahramanmaraş earthquake. The aim was filling gaps in the previously available surface-faulting trace, validating the accuracy of data obtained from remote sensing, refining fault offset estimates, and gaining a deeper understanding of both the local and overall patterns of the main rupture strands. Measurements and observations confirm dominating sinistral strike-slip movement. An integrated and comprehensive slip distribution curve shows peaks reaching over 700 cm, highlighting the near-fault expressing up to 70% of the deep net offset. In general, the slip distribution curve shows a strong correlation with the larger north-eastern deformation of the geodetic far field dislocation field and major deep slip patches. The overall rupture trace is generally straight and narrow with significant geometric complexities at a local scale. This results in transtensional and transpressional secondary structures, as multi-strand positive and negative tectonic flowers, hosting different patterns of the mole-tracks at the outcrop scale. The comprehensive and detailed field survey allowed characterizing the structural framework and geometric complexity of the surface faulting, ensuring accurate offset measurements and the reliable interpretation of both morphological and geometric features.
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