Indoor and Lab. activities: INGV Headquarters of Nicolosi
The decentralized headquarters of Nicolosi is located on the southern slope of Mount Etna at an altitude of 700 meters. Its strategic position allows for quick access to key volcanic areas essential for monitoring activities carried out by the Etna Observatory (OE). The building, owned by the Municipality, has been granted under a loan-for-use agreement since 1999 to the Poseidon System, under the direction of Prof. Letterio Villari.
Between 1999 and 2001, the facility hosted approximately 25 staff members, a clinometry laboratory, and several storage areas. During Etna’s 2001 eruption, it served as an Advanced Operations Center (COA). After the integration of the Poseidon System into INGV, the headquarters was transferred to the Catania Section. However, since 2002, it has remained largely unused, serving mainly as a storage facility and garage.
The building, consisting of two floors plus a basement, houses various geophysical instruments, offices, a clinometry laboratory, a 30-seat meeting room, storage areas, and a large garage for service vehicles and specialized equipment. In recent years, due to its strategic location and the increase in personnel at the main headquarters in Catania, the facility has been re-evaluated and has regained full operational status. After further renovations, the workforce is expected to reach about 20 staff members, with the establishment of new laboratories for volcanology, mobile seismology, and a redundant Operations Room, funded by PON Grint and PNRR projects.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fjCaXRPqsqA2CUjG7
Field and drone surveys: S, ENE and NE-Rift of Mt Etna
The Rifts of Etna are fractures and zones of weakness along which the volcano deforms, allowing for magma intrusions.
– S-Rift (Southern Rift): Extends along the southern flank of the volcano and is associated with significant deformation and fracturing, often accompanied by lava emissions during eruptions.
– ENE-Rift (East-Northeast Rift): One of the most active structures, connecting the summit area to the eastern flank, frequently experiencing magma intrusions and eruptive fractures.
– NE-Rift (Northeast Rift): Extends towards the northeast and serves as a primary pathway for magma intrusions, with several historical eruptions occurring along this structure.
These areas play a crucial role in Etna’s eruptive dynamics and deformation processes. Due to their geological features and accessibility, they are also ideal locations for drone surveys, enabling detailed monitoring of volcanic activity and structural changes.