GEO-UNICAM RESEARCH TOPICS
UNICAM Geology Department conducts intense scientific research at the highest international levels in a series of strategic sectors, both in the field of sustainable resource procurement and management, and in the study of natural hazards and the mitigation of associated risks.
-
Georesources and energy, materials and applications
a) Characterization of natural geofluid reservoirs: sedimentology, structural geology, and modeling studies to develop new technologies for managing geofluids (water resources, geothermal and thermal fluids, oil, and gas) in terms of productivity and environmental sustainability.
b) Low- and medium-enthalpy geothermal energy studies: study and evaluation of low- and medium-enthalpy geothermal potential through expertise in structural analysis, fluid/rock interaction, geochemistry, and hydrogeology.
c) Geomaterials: Crystal-chemical, geochemical, and structural studies of natural terrestrial and planetary materials, synthetic analogues, and silicate glasses. Implications for the study of magmatic processes. Applications in technology (crystalline structures for new batteries), industry (new materials from waste), and environmental sustainability (circular economy).
d) Cultural heritage: geological-geomorphological analysis and climatological reconstructions of archaeological sites; effects of natural hazards to cultural heritage; archaeometric studies of ceramic, stone materials and binders of historical and archaeological interest; valorization of the paleontological heritage; 3D reconstruction of movable and immovable cultural heritage materials for conservation and enhancement.
-
Geological hazards and risk
a) Flood, landslide, and avalanche hazards; slope and coastal erosion: study of the natural hazards through the integration of ground surveys and remote sensing (satellite, aerial, and drone), the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and of climatological, hydrological, and hydraulic modeling to analyze and contribute to the mitigation of related risks.
b) Seismic hazard. Seismology and seismotectonics studies; application of structural geology to the assessment of the seismic potential of active and seismogenic faults; use of AI (machine learning, deep learning) for modeling and defining risk scenarios.
c) Volcanic hazard. Volcano monitoring; evaluation of magma storage and pre- and syn-eruptive P-T conditions and processes (ascent, degassing, crystallization, fragmentation); magma composition, physical properties, and thermodynamic models; kinetics and timescales of pre- and syn-eruptive processes. Applications to past and currently active volcanic systems.
