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Description

Applied Geology (GEO/05) is the science applied to the study and solution of engineering and environmental issues that are determined by the interaction of human activities with geology. Applied geology interacts with several disciplines (geology, geomorphology, hydraulics, petrography, hydrology, etc.) to ensure the interpretation of the geological factors affecting engineering works. In this way, Applied Geology can reduce the consequences of geological risks.

The GEO/05 is represented by one researcher that, during the last 15 years, worked in cooperation with colleagues of geotechnical engineering (ICAR/07), physical geography and geomorphology (GEO/04), stratigraphic and sedimentological geology (GEO/02) and hydraulic and maritime works and hydrology (ICAR/02). Applied geology has skills in soil and territory defense focused on marine and terrestrial landslides; erosion processes including those in the coastal environments; analysis of morphological processes; studies related to hydrogeology and underground water circulation; geological survey and thematic cartography, aimed at urban and territorial planning; assessment of hydrogeological risks, development of cartographic methods and techniques, also using GIS; planning, design, and implementation of interventions and monitoring of geological processes; recovery of degraded and polluted sites (landfills, factories areas, etc.); conservation of environmental assets; identification, characterization, and conservation of "geosites" and, finally, geological studies related to coastal works (coastal defense works and port structures).

Research activity

• Localization and mapping of Sicilian areas with hydrogeological instability.
• Quantitative analysis of the susceptibility to ground instability through geological, geomorphological, and geotechnical parameters.
• Relationship between climate change and coastal erosion.
• Variability study of coastal dynamics in the Mediterranean.
• Assessment of coastal flood risks caused by extreme storm surges and tsunamis.

 

Main research projects

• Detection of predisposing factors to ground instabilities (project PNRR - RETURN - multi-Risk sciEnce for resilienT commUnities undeR a changiNg climate);
• Trigger-based multiple geohazard scenarios (project PNRR- RETURN);
• Bathymetric-morphological modelling in the coastal area of the Sicilian-Maltese Channel (project Interreg Italia-Malta: i-waveNET)
• Monitoring of coastal environments of the Sicilian-Maltese Channel (Interreg project Beyond Calypso project).

 

Keywords

Landslides, hydrogeological risk, geological field survey, tsunami risk, coastal erosion.