The marine research and geophysical monitoring infrastructure, called MEDUSA, currently operating in the Gulf of Pozzuoli (Naples) for monitoring the bradyseism of Campi Flegrei.
OBS developed by the INGV Laboratory of Gibilmanna (PA)
The science and technology of underwater observatories is a very broad research sector that embraces various disciplines: seismology, geomagnetism, gravimetry, physical oceanography, marine and environmental geochemistry, applied to the marine environment.
INGV carries out geophysical, geochemical, oceanographic prospecting of the marine environment with the aim of studying areas affected by submarine volcanism and the relationships with hydrothermal activity and gas emissions (see EarthCruisers project). The geophysical investigations are integrated with environmental and oceanographic assessments (physical and chemical parameters of the water column) which thus allow to define a broader cognitive picture of the marine system. The integration of different geophysical investigation techniques also allows to identify ferromagnetic objects of anthropic nature (UXO “Unexploded ordnance”, see FOASE-INGV project) on the seabed.
Since the mid-90s, INGV has strengthened this sector of scientific and technological research by focusing on the study of geophysical phenomena that take place in the depths of the seas and oceans.
The use of submarine observatories also allows geophysical monitoring and the study of solid earth in coastal marine areas, as in the case of measurements of the slow movement of the ground (bradyseism phenomenon in the volcanic area of Campi Flegrei), already extensively and well monitored on the mainland. Indeed, thanks to the marine research and monitoring infrastructure operating in the Gulf of Pozzuoli, this information is now completed with data processed from observations made directly on the seabed. The infrastructure improves the definition of the deformation pattern of the area through innovative multi-parameter analysis methodologies, in conjunction with the study of the vertical and horizontal components of GPS receivers installed on geodetic buoys and the analysis of data from high resolution submarine pressure sensors .
The technological development of submarine multiparameter observatories has been possible thanks to the support of the European Commission which since 1998 has financed a series of projects (GEOSTAR, GEOSTAR 2, ORION -GEOSTAR 3, ASSEM; ESONET, ESONET NoE, NEAREST, MABEL) which have catalysed the European scientific community around the creation of the first prototypes of submarine multiparameter observatories. The use of this technology has finally made possible the long-term monitoring of the deepest areas of seas and oceans otherwise poorly observed, and the transmission of the acquired measurements in real time. This allows the study of both fast temporal evolution events (e.g. earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, release of fluids), and those with slower temporal evolution (e.g. current dynamics, temperature and salinity variability). The multidisciplinarity of these systems, another innovative aspect, allows, through the simultaneous acquisition of different observables, the possibility of studying the interactions between phenomena traditionally and exclusively studied in the respective disciplinary fields.
The spread of multiparameter submarine observatories has favored the cohesion of a European scientific community which, by pooling its resources and skills, has succeeded, with the support of the respective countries, in setting up a European Research Infrastructure called - European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water column Observatory.
INGV researchers who are dedicated to this research sector deal with the analysis of multiparametric data aimed at studying the interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere through the development and use of innovative multidisciplinary observation infrastructures deposited on the seabed. The main technological and scientific activities concern:
-
Analysis of long time series for the study of the processes responsible for the hydrological and dynamic variability of the deep oceans;
-
Study for the characterization and spatio-temporal distribution of underwater noise generated by human activities;
-
Development and management of submarine multiparameter observatories
-
Development and management of marine geophysical instruments (OBS)
-
Study of the seismicity of marine areas thanks to the deposition of sea bottom seismometers - OBS (Ocean Bottom Seismometers) and hydrophones;
-
Characterization of the broadband seismic signal recorded by OBS. Recognition of seismicity at various scales. Integration of OBS observations with data recorded by ground-based seismometers.
-
Geophysical surveys for the study of submarine volcanism, hydrothermal vents and associated deposits;
-
Investigations and monitoring of pollution from micro- and macro- marine litter in coastal and marine areas;
-
Improved definition of the deformation pattern of the submerged volcanic area of Campi Flegrei.
-
Study of hydro-acoustic phases generated by seismic sources.
-
Localization of earthquakes that occur in marine areas for the identification of active tectonic structures.
-
Calculation of 1D and 3D seismic wave velocity models of underwater areas.
-
Study of the discontinuities in the lithosphere and in the upper mantle with receiver function techniques.
-
Study of variations of geophysical parameters to determine the deep volcanic structures.
-
Studies of the correlation between the seismic signal and other geophysical and oceanographic parameters to understand the dynamics of complex systems, such as, for example, submarine volcanoes.
The data acquired by the deep multiparameter observatories can be downloaded on the portal
Access to marine research and monitoring infrastructure data , operating in the Gulf of Pozzuoli