Geo-Environmental Risk

The Geo-Environmental Risk Research Topic is addressed to hazard analysis and risk assessment, for planning and management of the territory and emergencies. Within this topic, stratigraphic-sedimentological, geological-structural, geomorphological, hydrogeological, volcanological, geochemical, geophysical and geotechnical studies are carried out, at regional and site specific scale, for the realization of subsurface models and hazard assessment. The representative methodologies of structural engineering and planning, aided by information technology, contribute to studies aimed at assessing and mitigating geo-environmental risks.

The increase in knowledge about risks and how they impact the environment is one of the strategic priorities in the field of research and, more generally, an essential component of development strategies. At the international level, studies aimed at identifying and understanding the impacts of natural and anthropogenic hazards in systemic terms are promoted. In Europe, the scientific community is called to build a network of risk communication and awareness, able to promote the exchange of knowledge with the productive sectors and to strengthen the citizens’ engagement, to develop an adequate awareness of natural hazards and promote sustainable development.

In this regard, research aimed at designing, implementing and deploying more effective methods and techniques for risk prediction, prevention and mitigation can be considered one of the most important challenges for our country.

In this general framework, the activities of this Research Topic are mainly addressed to: 1) the analysis of susceptibility, hazard, vulnerability and expected degree of loss, in marine and terrestrial areas, to support prediction, prevention, monitoring and mitigation activities of geo-environmental risks induced by natural processes (floods, landslides, fires, seismicity, volcanism, groundwater flows and land-sea exchange, natural radioactivity, geogenic gases) and anthropogenic activity (hazardous events in urban areas and high cultural value induced by landuse and subsoil, effects of the cultivation of geo-resources, consequences of air-water-soil contamination caused by industrial activity and waste storage); 2) the realization of studies for the planning and sustainable management of the territory, also in the post-event phase; 3) the development of innovative technological tools for the management and analysis of data and for the modeling of phenomena.

Representatives:

• Massimiliano Moscatelli (massimiliano.moscatelli@igag.cnr.it)
• Simone Sterlacchini (simone.sterlacchini@igag.cnr.it)