·     Graduated with full marks and honours in Geological Sciences at the University of Naples “Federico II”, on March 29th 1988. Title of Thesis: “The activity of Mt. Vesuvius between 1631 and 1944: an analysis for volcanic hazard evaluations in the Vesuvian area”.

·     Qualified as Geologist (September 1989).

 

·     Afferent to:

ü Macroarea: E “Earth sciences and environmental”, Area: E.1 “Earth Sciences”, Context: E.1.2 – “Geological, geochemical and geophysical sciences of Solid Earth”; E.1.3 – “Hydrology, applied geology, geotechnics, soil science”; E.1.4 – “Methods of observation and description of the Earth and geomorphology.”

ü Sectors SSD: GEO / 05 (Applied Geology) & GEO / 04 (Physical Geography and Geomorphology).

ü Sectors ERC: PE10 – Earth system science: physical geography, geology, geophysics, atmosferic sciences, oceanography, climatology, ecology, global environmental change, biogeochemical cycles, natural resources management. PE10_5: Geology, tectonics, volcanology.

 

SCIENTIFIC PROFILE

With reference to both themes and goals, the scientific training and the research activity followed a substantially consistent and homogeneous path, characterized by a number of fundamental stages: degree thesis, CNR-MISM two-year scholarship, CNR six-month scholarship in the USA, work as a scientist at the CNR-IRPI. In general, the performed activities concern the disciplinary sectors of “Applied Geology” and “Applied Geomorphology”. The issues dealth with regard, as a whole, susceptibility and hazard evaluation, even through the modelling approah, and vulnerability evaluation of urbanized settings.

Since the period of realization of the degree thesis (1988), issues of hazard were faced by reconstructing in detail the eruptive style of the Vesuvian activity during the last period of uninterrupted volcanic activity, from 1631 to 1944. By means of a thorough historic analysis, combined with field surveys, frequency and type of eruptions were determined, and the transitions among the different eruptive styles recognized, thus formulating a “model” of Vesuvian activity for the considered period. By assuming that the volcanic recovery may be characterized by a similar behaviour as in the period 1631-1944, hazard evaluations were performed by considering the expected eruptive scenarious.

After an initial period of post-lauream co-operation with the Dept. of Geophysics and Volcanology (University of Napoli) and with the Vesuvian Observatory, during wich participated in researches on volcanic risk in Campania, the first work experiences allowed to investigate the application issues of the geological profession (1988-1990: Director of building yard, and Geologist for a Society of geothecnics and special foundations; qualification to practice the profession of Geologist in 1989), and also to refine abilities in informatics and programming (1990-1991: scholarship, and contract as specialist programmer c/o IRI-FINSIEL group).

The risk issues were again investigated during the CNR-MISM scholarship (1991-1993, Tutor: Dr. L. Merenda) c/o CNR-IRPI of Rende and, then, as Scientist (since 1994). The formative activity was realized through the interaction with different research groups, even external to IRPI, the attendance at specialization courses and seminars, and the participation to conferences. Skills in informatics, with special regard to programming issues, GIS and geo-referenced data base were refined. Advanced courses of English (held by Universitary Lecturers) were also attended. The formative activity also benefited of a CNR six-month scholarship for foreign Countries (1998), c/o the U.S. Geological Survey (Tutor: Dr. G.F. Wieczorek).

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Within the more general topic of “Landslide risk evaluation and mitigation”, the performed research activities concerned:

·     Slope dynamics and morpho-evolution. Surveying, mapping and analysis (with GIS) of slope instability, at local and areal scale.

·     Landslide activations and sinkholes triggered by either meteoric or seismic events. Effects of landslides in urbanized areas. Evaluation of hazard, susceptibility, vulnerability, and specific risk induced by slope-instability phenomena. Evaluation of conditions of imminent risk.

·     Geomorphologic, morpho-neotectonic analyses seismic-induced landslides. Large scale landslides, Deep-seated gravitational slope deformations, and tectono-gravitational phenomena, either at macro- or meso-scale. Effects on the environment induced by earthquakes.

·     Modelling and simulation (mainly through cellular automata) of the spatial-temporal development of flow-type landslides (debris flows, earth flows, debris avalanches). Calibration and validation against real cases, also with parallel computational environment, through genetic algorithms. Sensitivity analyses through genetic algorithms. Susceptibility/hazard mapping.

 

Essentially, studies of Applied Geology and Geomorphology in the field of gravitational slope evolution were performed, by dealing with issues of geo-hydrological defence and, more in general, of civil protection. The scientific interest migrated from issues of landslide recognition and mapping toward spatial quantitative analyses of morphologic-evolutive characteristics, of possible interferences with the urban enviroment, and triggering mechanisms (mainly meteoric and seismic). More recently, the relationshps among tectonic structures and gravitational deformations were investigated, as well as issues of modelling and simulation of landslide phenomena for susceptibility mapping, through innovative and automated techniques of analysis, useful also for managing phases of environmental crisis.

The researches, carried out in several study areas of Southern Apennine and Calabrian Arc (and subordinatamente abroad), refer to multi-disciplinary co-operations, involving structural geologists, engineers, physicists, mathematicians and computer specialists. Within such investigations, apart from the realization of research activities, the definition of the project line and the co-ordination of the activities of other members of the group were also looked after.

In recent years, scientific contacts with national and international colleagues were also kept, aiming at favouring interactions and cultural exchanges on the research themes of interest, by: organizing conference sessions (as main convenor and/or chairman), editing the proceedings of the conferences, editing special issues in international journals (as guest editor), and in the frame of agreements of scientific co-operation (as responsible or co-responsible).

 

SOME RECENT ACTIVITIES

• Distribution and type of sinkholes in plan areas of Calabria. 

Calabria is among the European regions most severily affected by earthquakes in historic time. Seismic events may induce, apart from direct damage to constructions, even diverse secondary effects on the environment. At CNR-IRPI, regional studies were recently started aimed at inventorying and mapping environmental effects caused by major seismic events, by also realizing a specific data base. In such a context, a close examination was performed aiming at analysing evidence and verifying reports of cases of seismic-induced liquefactions, and to related sinkholes. The study was carried out by examining seismologic data bases and specific literature, and through archive researches and interviews to experts. As regards the sites affected by the sinkholes, available stratigraphic, geothecnic and hydrogeologic data were also examined, and actual geomorphologic characteristics were evaluated by means of field surveys and aerophoto-interpretations. Accordingly, a first plausibility analysis of the historical reports could be made. Moreover, in the vicinity of the village of San Basile (CS), a set of recent sinkholes at Piano dell’Acqua – presumably of meteoric origin – was analysed in detail.

 

• Modelling and simulation of flow-type landslides through automated computing techniques for risk evaluation and mapping 

Examples of event mapping and of susceptibility evaluation for some study areas in the USA (Yosemite Valley, CA, and Nelson County, VA) were realized through symplified (empirical) approaches of analysis and GIS. Afterwards, the development and the application of a cellular-automata model, in co-operation with colleagues of Unical, allowed to realize inventory and susceptibility maps in different study areas of Campania (Pizzo d’Alvano, S. Martino Valle Caudina, and Cervinara). The quantitative comparison among simulated and real cases allowed to calibrate the model, by adopting genetic algorithms in parallel computing environment, and then to validate the model. Again by means of genetic algorithms, sensitivity analyses were performed aiming at verifying the behaviour of the model with respect to geometry, size and orientation of the mesh, of quality of topograhic data, and of the main parameters. The overall simplicity of the method, combined with the need of reliable but low-cost and easy-to-collect input data, suggest to adopt this type of approach for preliminary and simplified analyses of susceptibility, and for realizing risk scenarious – even during a crisis. The method revealed to be reliable, and also of international interest: among the others, the National Science & Technology Center for Disaster Reduction of Taipei (Taiwan) advanced a proposal of scientific co-operation for applying the approach at Taiwan, for risk mapping purposes. The most recent release of the model, inspired from both the geotechnical model and the equivalent fluid approaches, is presently undergoing detailed test against laboratory cases and historic real events. The modelling approach and the method for susceptibility/hazard mapping was presented on occasion of several international conferences, with examples of application published in international proceedings and journals.

 

• Relationships among deep-seated gravitational slope movements, geologic-structural and neotectonic characteristics, and Radon concentrations in chain areas affected by late uplifting 

In Calabria, the researches were based on geomorphologic and structural surveys carried out at both macro- and meso-scale. Information related to macro-seismic and environmental effects caused by the principal earthquakes was also considered. As regards the neotectonic setting and the role of the deep-seated gravitational deformations during the late phases of development of chain areas, the results are highly innovative and, in some respects, even conflicting with literature. The multi-disciplinary studies allowed to recognize a new peculiar type of tectono-gravitative phenomenon (wedge-shaped accommodated structures along reactivating thrust ramps), and to describe its genetic-evolutive mechanisms. Furthermore, in some study areas of the Crati graben and along the northern border of the Sila massif, the availablity of data on Radon concentrations also allowed to analyse the relationships among recent/active faults, historic and instrumental seismicity, deep-seated gravitational slope deformations, and Radon anomalies, with interesting results published in international journals.

 

METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS

The researches were carried out by privileging the geomorphologic detailed interpretation of aero-photographs (multi-temporal and at different scales) and the field surveys. In some cases, systematic techniques of landslide surveying (“inventory”) were employed, by using standard forms and GIS. In other cases, a geostructural type of approach was adopted (e.g. for a kinematical characterization, at the meso-scale, of the morpho-structures bordering the deep-seated gravitational deformations). Historic and archive investigations, carried out at both public and private data bases, allowed to collecting useful information on the main events of geo-hydrological disaster occurred in the considered areas, thus permitting to get get insights into recurrent phenomena. Calibration and validation techniques, based on back-analysis and quantitative comparison of simulations with real cases (for which suitable information was available), were diffusely applied and refined for parameter optimization: together with the results of sensitivity analyses, it was then possible to evaluate the reliability and robustness of the models with respect to considered phenomena. A protocol for the optimization and application of the model was defined, aimed at analysig landslide susceptibility/hazard conditions, which is based on historical and geological investigations, and on modl calibration and validation against real cases by means of genetic algorithms (better if in a parallel computing environment). Only subsequently, the model can be applied for susceptibility/hazard analyses in the same study areas, and for elaborating specific risk scenarios.

 

SCIENTIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

·     Scientific responsible for CNR-IRPI of a Research Agreement with “Ordine dei Geologi della Calabria” on “sharing of territorial information, organization of seminars and courses for professional development, and the implementation of a network of qualified supervisor”, starting from Dec. 2011 – http://www.vigor-geotermia.it/

·     Scientific responsible for CNR-IRPI of a Research Convention with the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Calabria for the study of the geological characteristics of Calabria (at regional scale) and of the study areas of Arcavacata and Terme di Caronte, Project VIGOR on “Evaluation of Geothermic Potential” (Scientific Resp.: A. Manzella), starting from Sept. 2011 – http://www.vigor-geotermia.it/

·     Scientific responsible for CNR-IRPI of the Calabrian study areas, Project VIGOR on “Evaluation of Geothermic Potential” (Scientific Resp.: A. Manzella), starting from Oct. 2010 – http://www.vigor-geotermia.it/

·     Scientific co-responsible for study areas in Campania, Sicilia and Calabria, of a Research Convention with the Department for the Civil Protection (Scientific Resp.: F. Guzzetti) for assessment of landslide rainfall thresholds at national and regional scales.

·     Scientific responsible of a Research Agreement for Technological Development between CNR and Advanced Devices S.p.A. (http://www.advanceddevices.net) from Feb. 2009 on “Development of automated monitoring systems of environmental parameters for risk mitigation”.

·     Scientific responsible of a Research Agreement between CNR and RAS (Russian Academy of Sciences) on “Natural hazard assessment and monitoring for urban territories”, for the period 2008-2010 – Resp. of the CNR-IRPI team: G. Iovine; Resp. of the RAS-IEG team: V. Svalova

·     Scientific responsible of a Convention Research* between CNR-IRPI and University of Calabria (Unical) for the second level Master in “Profession Geologist”, in cooperation with University “Roma3” and the Calabrian Order of Geologists (ORG-C), academic year 2007-2008.

·     Scientific responsible of a geomorfologic study of slope instability and morpho-evolutive trends, within the frame of a Convention Research for “evaluating the geologic-technical and seismic suitability of the areas selected for the possible relocation of the hamlet of Cavallerizzo (Cerzeto, CS)”, between the Regione Calabria, Assessorato “Foreste, Forestazione, Protezione Civile e Pari Opportunità”- Dipartimento n.11 – Settore Regionale della Protezione Civile, ed il CNR–IRPI – Resp. Dr. V. Rizzo (rif. DPC/AFI/0032932-21/06/2005).

·     Scientific responsible for the Italian party (together with Prof. S. Di Gregorio, Unical) of the Research co-operation Project “Italia-Taiwan” on “Modeling and simulation of debris flows through Cellular Automata and Genetic Algorithms: applications to case studies in Taiwan for susceptibility evaluations”, stipulated in 2004 with NCDR “National Science & Technology Center for Disaster Reduction”, University of Taiwan.

·     Scientific responsible of the Research Project n.16 of CNR-IRPI Rende (Cosenza) on “Landslide risk scenarios in a study area of NE Calabria”, activity n.11 (period 2000-2002).

 

PARTICIPATION TO RESEARCH PROJECTS

·     In 2007, takes part in a PRIN* project on modelling of landslide phenomena in coastal and sub-aqueous environment, in the Scilla-Bagnara study area (Responsible of the research unit: Prof. S. Di Gregorio).

·     In 2006-2007, takes part in a INGV* project on evaulation of susceptibility/hazard posed by lava flows in the NE sector of Mt. ETNA (Responsible of the research unit: Prof. G.M. Crisci).

·     In 2006-2007, takes part in a FIRB* project on evaulation of susceptibility/hazard posed by lava flows in the SE sector of Mt. ETNA (Responsible of the research unit: Prof. G.M. Crisci).

·     In 2000-2001, participate in the phase of definition of the criteria to be adopted for the mapping of landslide risk areas within the PAI project (ex DL.180/98 and succ.), and in the next phases of validation and tutoring, within the frame of Convention Research* (signed on 7 July 2000) between CNR-IRPI and Regione Calabria.

·     In 1998-2007, takes part in a Research Project on “Development of spatial-temporal models of environmental evolutive processes for risk mitigation”, co-funded by Regione Campania, and coordinates the activities of geomorphologic field surveying and the relationships with the group of modellers of Unical, Dept. of Mathematics.

·     In 1991-1999, takes part in the Research Project n.2 of CNR-IRPI Rende (Cosenza) on “Analysis of landslide activations for evaluating environmental vulnerability”, Resp. Dr. L. Merenda.

·     In 1991-1997, takes part in the Research Project SCAI (study of unstable villages)–GNDCI (National Group for the Protection from Geo-hydrological Disasters) in Puglia and Calabria, as member of the Operative Unit n.2.29, Resp. Dr. L. Merenda.

 

EDITORIAL ACTIVITIES

·     Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal “Environmental Modelling & Software” (Elsevier – http://ees.elsevier.com/envsoft/) – since 2006.

·     Member of the Scientific Committee of the Journal “Geologi Calabria” (Geologists Calabria), organ of the ORG-C – since 2005.

·     Main Guest-editor of special issues of Journals with international editorial boards, on the topic “Modelling and simulation of dangerous phenomena, and innovative techniques for hazard evaluation, mapping and mitigation” – since 2003.

·     Reviewer of scientific papers submitted to: i) Journals with international editorial boards (Natural Hazards, Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, Landslides, Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Water Resources Research, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, Environmental Geology, Environmental Modelling & Software; Physics and Chemistry of the Earth; Computers and Geosciences; Computational Geosciences), since 2000; ii) Journals with national editorial boards (Geografia Fisica e Dinamica Quaternaria), since 2007.

·     Reviewer of scientific papers submitted to the Proceedings of international Conferences (2nd DFHM’02, 3rd iEMSs’06, 4th iEMSs’08), since 2002.

·     Author of numerous publications in either scientific journals or proceedings.

 

COMMITTEE / COMMISSION MEMBERSHIPS

·     Committee Member of the second level Master “Profession Geologist”, co-organized by the ORG-C, the Faculty of Sciences of Unical, and the CNR-IRPI (academic year 2007-2008).

·     Councillor (elective member) of the ORG-C – from 2007 to 2009.

·     Member of the “Tendency Committee” of the first Commission of the ORG-C “Promotion of the Geologist in the professional ambit and in the framework of the Calabrian society” – since 2005.

·     Member of the Steering Committee of the Italian-Japanese Laboratory “GRJL” (Geo-Risk Joint Lab) on geo-hydrological risks, co-funded by Minister of Foreign Affairs, by CNR and by “Fondazione Vajont 1963” (Foundation Vajont 1963), appointed by the Advisory Committee of CNR-IRPI – since 2003.

·     Member of the Advisory Committee of CNR-IRPI (elected by the scientific personnel) – from 2002 to 2005 (extended until November 2008).

·     Member of several Evaluation Commissions for public competitions.

·     Since 2003, Main Convenor of scientific sessions on “modelling and simulation of dangerous phenomena”, and on “innovative techniques for hazard evaluation and mapping, and for risk mitigation”, on the occasion of EGU (once EGS), AOGS, iEMSs, Geoitalia, GSA, e MODSIM conferences.

·     Since 2003, Guest-Editor of special issues in international journals (Computers and Geosciences, Computational Geosciences, Environmental Modelling and Software, Natural Hazards, Physics and Chemistry of the Earth), and in national journals (Geografia Fisica e Dinamica Quaternaria); member of the Organizing Board of the iEMSs Biennial Meetings (in 2006 and 2008) and of the MODSIM Conference (in 2009); Editor of the Proceedings for the sessions organized at iEMSs (in 2006 and 2008) and at MODSIM (in 2009).

·     Scientific co-ordinator of the journal “Geologi Calabria” of the ORG-C, starting from n.1, year 7 (2007).

·     On behalf of the ORG-C, co-ordinator of the Commission for the “professional continual up-to-date” (APC), starting from January 2008; APC referent for the Co-ordination of the Councils of the southern regions; member of the Scientific Council of CAPGAI.

·     Co-ordinator of the 3rd Commission of the ORG-C “Relations with the Universities – professional training and up-to-date” since 2007* (formerly member of the same commission since 1 December 2005).

·     Organizer, as co-ordinator of the APC Commission of the ORG-C, of numerous seminars and professional refresher courses for the period 2008-2009

 

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

·     Academic year 2013-2014 – Lecturer of “Applied Geology”, three-year degree course, new academic system (40 hours, 5 UFC). Department of Engineering for the Environment and the Territory and Chemical Engineering. University della Calabria, Ponte P. Bucci – 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS).

·     Academic years 2006-2007, 2005-2006 and 2004-2005 – Lecturer of “Fundamentals of Applied Geology”, three-year degree course in Geological Sciences, new academic system (40 hours, 5 UFC). Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, Curriculum for the Degree in Geological Sciences – University della Calabria, Ponte P. Bucci – 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS).

·     Academic year 2003-2004 – Lecturer of “Applied Geology”, three-year degree course in Geological Sciences, new academic system (48 hours, 6 UFC). Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, Curriculum for the Degree in Geological Sciences – University della Calabria, Ponte P. Bucci – 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS).

·     Academic years 2002-2003 and 2001-2002 – Lecturer of “Applied Geology”, degree course in Geological Sciences, old academic system (72 hours, 9 UFC). Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, Curriculum for the Degree in Geological Sciences – University della Calabria, Ponte P. Bucci – 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS).

·     Academic year 2000-2001 – Lecturer of “Geotechnics”, degree course in Geological Sciences, old academic system (48 hours). Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, Curriculum for the Degree in Geological Sciences – University della Calabria, Ponte P. Bucci – 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS).

 

OTHER ACTIVITIES

·     Since 2003, Tutor in the Project “Stage of Formation and Guidance”, within the agreement between Unical – Faculty of Sciences, and the CNR-IRPI – Sezione di Cosenza, for several apprentices.

·     Since the academic year 2001-2002, Tutor for numerous degree thesis (of either the “old” and the “new” academic systems), for the Dept. of Earth Sciences of Unical.

·     Since 1993, as Scientist at CNR-IRPI and member of the Operative Unit n.2.29 of the GNDCI, participated in numerous inspections and surveys, aimed at evaluating the “conditions of imminent risk”, within the frame of an agreement between the CNR-GNDCI and the National Dept. for the Civil Protection.

·     Since 1988, author of numerous presentations (either oral or poster) at national and international Conferences; lecturer of seminars; member of panel.