Five hundred meters of subsoil in 3D version and the possibility of predicting new eruptions. An absolute novelty, all Italian, the result of the work of a team of researchers from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) on the Phlegraean fields. “Scientific Reports” ,magazine by "Natures" , public the study of the area more archaeological and environmental observed of the Mediterraneano.Three-dimensional images with the particular reconstruction of the Solfatara volcano which are arousing the interest of volcanologists and earth scientists. The cultural curiosity of the thousands of tourists who visit places dear to Roman emperors and nobles will not be long in coming. An evocative, sometimes martyred, environmental context that has inspired writers, poets, artists.
The ARea flerea North of Napoli is the most attractive yescan find out in Campania. Protected area with a precious habitat since 2003 reunited in the Campi Flegrei Regional Park. Here there is also the WWF oasis of the Astroni, another suggestive volcanic caldera, site of environmental experiments and wildlife conservation. The cave of the Sibilla Cumana described in the Aeneid is just a few steps away. The pride of the INGV researchers for their study is being shared with colleagues from the Department of Environmental Sciences and Resources of the "Federico II" University of Naples in these days.
But what are we talking about? From a researchto turn with the use of wireless electrical resistivity tomography who rebuilt the central part of the volcanic area till at a depth of 500 metersthe. A methodology with instruments placed on the surface, which wirelessly brought out the structures buried by the eruptions, the ascent routes of liquids and gases and much more. The scientific interest of the publication is also linked to the economic interests for the exploitation of geothermal energy in the area. For next year a well should go into operation, despite some protests and debated authorizations. Science, research and technology can grow for the benefit of a territory that has unexplored potential.
Antonio Troiano, INGV researcher and co-author of the study on the area, explains that the research was conducted with innovative acquisition criteria and original data analysis procedures. The 3D model used also showed an excellent correlation with the hypocenters of the earthquakes recorded on the surface between 2011 and 2019. It is known that from many years the area flereacoexists with bradyseism that makes life is difficult for thousands of people.Now there are important details - adds Roberto Isaia, another author of the study - for the structural knowledge of the entire Phlegraean caldera. Thanks to the data acquired, it is possible to better evaluate possible and new unfortunate eruptions, that constant risk for dozens of municipalities in the Neapolitan area. It will also be possible to perfect new physical-mathematical models to better understand the phenomena of the fumaroles that have always characterized the Solfatara and the neighboring areas.
The publication in a prestigious magazine gives authority to the Italian Institute of Volcanology which has just celebrated its first 20 years. The view of Italian research , however, is not exciting due to the chronic lack of funding public and the inability to use even those Europeans. The President of INGV Carlo Doglioni in reconstructing the history of the institution (born among other things from the unification of the historic Vesuvius Observatory) had indicated the 3D reconstruction of the whole Italian subsoil up to 200 kilometers deep, a priority commitment for the study and environmental protection of the Italian territory. From the Phlegrean fields came the first important results, appreciated internationally. If you want a signal to our institutions to invest in scientific research
