Developed by a multidisciplinary team of researchers from the National Institute of Optics of the CNR (CNR-INO), in collaboration with the Vesuvian Observatory of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV-OV) and the Italian Space Agency ( ASI), the prototype fiber optic gyroscope for the real-time measurement of ground rotations induced by earthquakes in the volcanic area of Campi Flegrei, north-west of the city of Naples
Gyroscopes (or rotational sensors) are sensors used to detect the rotation speed of the ground and provide complementary information compared to translational seismic sensors.
The Campi Flegrei area is covered by a capillary network of multi-parametric sensors managed by INGV-OV for real-time monitoring of various physical and chemical parameters, used for the study of seismic and volcanic activity.
The possibility of also monitoring the rotational motions of the ground can improve the understanding of seismic events, fundamental for the study of the dynamics of volcanoes.
The prototype is based on a 2 km long Sagnac interferometer and located in the CNR-INO laboratories in the heart of the Campi Flegrei.
The prototype system was calibrated during a measurement campaign lasting five months, from May to September 2023, measuring the ground rotations induced by low/medium magnitude earthquakes.
At present, the gyroscope can only measure the rotational component of motion around the vertical axis. The next activities will be dedicated to improving the resolution and stability of the system and to the development of a three-axis gyroscope, for the measurement of all rotational components.
The final objective is the creation of a complete system for the permanent observation of soil rotations in the Campi Flegrei area.
Useful links:
National Institute of Optics of the CNR (CNR-INO)
National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV)
Vesuvian Observatory (INGV-OV)
Italian Space Agency (ASI)
Gyroscopes (or rotational sensors) are sensors used to detect the rotation speed of the ground and provide complementary information compared to translational seismic sensors.
The Campi Flegrei area is covered by a capillary network of multi-parametric sensors managed by INGV-OV for real-time monitoring of various physical and chemical parameters, used for the study of seismic and volcanic activity.
The possibility of also monitoring the rotational motions of the ground can improve the understanding of seismic events, fundamental for the study of the dynamics of volcanoes.
The prototype is based on a 2 km long Sagnac interferometer and located in the CNR-INO laboratories in the heart of the Campi Flegrei.
The prototype system was calibrated during a measurement campaign lasting five months, from May to September 2023, measuring the ground rotations induced by low/medium magnitude earthquakes.
At present, the gyroscope can only measure the rotational component of motion around the vertical axis. The next activities will be dedicated to improving the resolution and stability of the system and to the development of a three-axis gyroscope, for the measurement of all rotational components.
The final objective is the creation of a complete system for the permanent observation of soil rotations in the Campi Flegrei area.
Useful links:
National Institute of Optics of the CNR (CNR-INO)
National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV)
Vesuvian Observatory (INGV-OV)
Italian Space Agency (ASI)
Photo 1: Fiber optic gyroscope prototype for real-time, high-resolution monitoring of ground rotations caused by earthquakes in an active volcanic area 
Photo 2: The fibers are precisely wound around an aluminum coil to form a gyroscope based on the Sagnac effect