The tenth Cities on Volcanoes (COV 10) Congress, which will be held in the Neapolitan capital from 2 to 7 September 2018, was presented today at the Vesuvius Observatory of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). An important opportunity to bring together the best volcanologists worldwide and take stock of the contribution of multidisciplinary research and the scientific community-society connection
20 years after the first edition, volcanologists from all over the world are meeting in Naples from 2 to 7 September 2018, to promote and strengthen the link between the volcanological scientific community and those involved in territorial planning and emergency management, in order to build a place of comparison and integration of experiences between the "cities on volcanoes". The tenth Cities on Volcanoes Congress (COV 10) - Millennia of stratification between human life and volcanoes: strategies for coexistence was organized by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), in collaboration with the Department of Civil Protection ( DPC), the Campania Region, the Municipality of Naples, the Vesuvius National Park, the University of Naples "Federico II" and the National Association of Volcanology.
The Cities on Volcanoes international congresses, organized under the aegis of the IAVCEI International Association of Volcanology and Chemestry of Earth's Interior, promote the connection between the volcanological scientific community and those involved in territorial planning and emergency management, in order to build a place of comparison and integration of experiences between cities on volcanoes.
“The next COV 10”, explains Roberto Isaia, President of the Steering Committee COV 10 and INGV researcher, “is set up as the ideal opportunity to gather again, in Naples, the most important volcanologists worldwide and to take stock of the contribution of multidisciplinary research and on the scientific community-society connection".
The Neapolitan area, with the two active explosive volcanoes of Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei and the volcanic island of Ischia, is one of the regions characterized by the highest volcanic risk in the world. The Metropolitan City of Naples, with more than 3 million people and a population density of about 2,700 inhabitants/km2, is the City on Volcanoes par excellence.
“Despite the presence of three active volcanoes”, continues Isaia, “the perception of the volcanic risk of the population residing in the Neapolitan area is still rather low. This element is recurrent in urban areas with volcanoes that have been dormant for a long time, as have been the Campi Flegrei since 1538, the island of Ischia since 1302 and Vesuvius, with the last eruption in 1944”.
The Congress wants to focus attention on man's intrinsic resilience to volcanic risk, in a millenary history of coexistence with volcanoes, which demonstrates how much they have represented, and can represent, a resource as well as a problem.
COV 10 in Naples represents an important event for the international community dedicated to the study of volcanic hazards and risks.
“During the event”, explains Isaia, “the topics closely linked to the objectives of the Science and Technology Roadmap will be discussed in support of the provisions of the Sendai Framework document for the reduction of disaster risk 2015-2030.
There will be three Symposia: multidisciplinary approaches to improve understanding of volcanic dynamics and hazards; volcanic risk assessment and management; City on Volcanoes: Improving Preparedness and Resilience.
There are also day trips to the volcanic areas of Campi Flegrei and Vesuvius and multi-day excursions to Etna, the Aeolian Islands, Ischia and Vulture.
"To make the interdisciplinary and interconnected approach more concrete, and to encourage greater participation, initiatives are envisaged that promote interaction between Congress participants and resident communities", concludes Isaia.
During the press conference, the new website dedicated to the event was presented (soon online).http://www.citiesonvolcanoes10.com)
Rome, 18 July 2017
Photo 1: Director of the Volcano Structure of INGV, Augusto Neri, at the presentation to the press of the tenth Cities on Volcanoes Congress (COV 10)
Photo 2: Director of the INGV Vesuvius Observatory, Francesca Bianco, at the presentation to the press of the tenth Cities on Volcanoes Congress (COV 10)