Geology and geomorphology

Cluster

Environmental Sciences

Description

The research group works in the field of geological surveys and land monitoring based on high-resolution topographic instruments and techniques.

It is divided into different research topics. The first concerns the safety of the mountain basins, with the aim of developing a reference framework and an operational protocol to optimise the effectiveness of risk prevention and of structures in mountain basins. The studies are carried out in the Geoinformatic Environment (GIS) integrating remote sensing techniques, like digital photogrammetry (SfM), aerial and terrestrial laser scanning, satellite positioning (GNSS), georeferenced databases, and digital cartography. The aim is to develop innovative operational approaches using mathematical models to simulate events and to support the technical-political decision-makers for responsible land management. In addition to national and international research, the group provides consultancy services to public bodies, private organizations, and companies.

The second line of research focuses on the evolution and dynamics of the Alpine cryosphere, which, in the context of ongoing climate change, is of particular importance in terms of monitoring snow and ice resources and calculating the mass balances of Alpine glaciers. Two lecturers from the section are members of the Italian Glaciological Committee and monitor, in particular, a number of Alpine glaciers in the north-eastern sector.

The third line of research concerns the morphotectonic and seismotectonic characterisation of areas at high seismic risk and is based on a multidisciplinary approach that includes the parameterisation of active fault systems in geometric, kinematic, dynamic, and chronological terms; it represents a fundamental tool for assessing seismic potential and mitigating seismic risk. The research is based on morphotectonic analysis, geological field surveys, the analysis of industrial seismic data, and paleoseismological analysis. The data collected are managed by the Cartography Laboratory.

The fourth line of research focuses on geological and geothematic mapping. Geological and geothematic mapping are essential basic tools for the proper planning and management of the territory and, more specifically, for the prevention, reduction, and mitigation of hydrogeological risk. The department’s Geological Cartography Laboratory has been collaborating for many years on the production of CARG Geological Maps at a scale of 1:50,000.

Research subjects

Geological and geo-thematic cartography
Evolution and dynamics of the Alpine cryosphere
Morphotectonic and seismotectonic characterisation of areas at high seismic risk
Safety in mountainous areas

ERC panels

PE10_3 Climatology and climate change
PE10_5 Geology, tectonics, volcanology
PE10_10 Mineralogy, petrology, igneous petrology, metamorphic petrology
PE10_13 Physical geography, geomorphology
PE10_14 Earth observations from space/remote sensing
PE10_17 Hydrology, hydrogeology, engineering and environmental geology, water and soil pollution
PE10_18 Cryosphere, dynamics of snow and ice cover, sea ice, permafrosts and ice sheets