Background

Both China and Italy are characterized by large mountainous areas, where natural hazards (e.g., geological and hydrological hazards such as debris flows, landsides, flash floods) are widespread and seriously threatening local society. It is noted that, almost 67% and 76% of the territories are covered by mountains in China and Italy, respectively and the youngest chains in the Eurasia, namely the Alps and the Tibetan Plateau, are characterized by active tectonic and steep high mountain slopes. Up to date, the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment (IMHE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection (IRPI) of Italian National Research Council (CNR) have long enjoyed high academic reputation for natural hazards research and mitigation in the world. Since 2004, different exchanges and academic communications between CAS-IMHE and CNR-IRPI have been conducted. Moreover, a formal bilateral agreement has already been signed in 2014. Since then, to further enhance the academic cooperation the two institutes have agreed to establish a joint laboratory.

Purpose

The joint laboratory aims to supply an academic cooperation platform for Chinese and Italian scientists, to improve the joint research activities on mountain hazards and to transfer the main achievements to the society in order to increase the public awareness and build a more resilient National Community.