Understanding how earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides and soil liquefaction can occur in the same area, influence each other or generate cascading effects is the challenge at the heart of MATRICS (Multi-hazard Assessment of TRIggered and Compound risksS), the new project of theIstituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), developed within the framework of the programme Dynamic Planet 2026-2029.
The aim of the project is to develop innovative methodologies for assessing risk when multiple natural hazards affect the same territory, contributing to improving prevention, territorial planning and emergency management.
Among the most innovative elements of MATRICS is the study of the INGV monitoring infrastructureDuring a seismic or volcanic crisis, seismic and geodetic networks, communication, and data transmission systems can suffer damage or malfunction, resulting in the loss of data flow precisely when they are most needed. The project will develop methodologies to assess their vulnerability and exposure to multiple natural hazards, providing the scientific basis for guiding future strategies to strengthen their operational resilience.
A kick-off meeting for the project was held recently at the INGV Milan office, bringing together the researchers involved to define the work plan for the next four years.
Coordinated by Lucia Luzi, Research Director of INGV, MATRICS involves the Sections INGV of Milan, Rome, Bologna, Pisa, Irpinia, the National Earthquake Observatory and the Etna Observatory. The project is carried out in collaboration with the University of Naples Federico II, University of Turin, University of Camerino, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara and University of Florence, the Polytechnic University of Milan, the Eucentre Foundation and Brigham Young University (USA).
The complexity of the phenomena studied requires expertise ranging from seismology to geology, including engineering. This integration represents one of MATRICS's main strengths and will enable the development of a truly multidisciplinary approach to risk assessment when multiple natural hazards affect the same territory.
The activities will be developed and validated in two pilot areas: The Strait of Messina, affected by the earthquake of 1908, andEmilia Romagna and Lombardy, hit by the 2012 seismic sequence. The results will contribute to developing a new vision of risk assessment, more suitable to describe the complexity of natural phenomena and to support prevention, territorial planning and emergency management.
Useful links:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
University of Naples Federico II
