Activities
Scientific Research
The Vesuvius Observatory carries out research in various fields of geophysics, geochemistry and volcanology. The main objectives are to develop an increasingly detailed understanding of the processes which generate volcanic eruptions, and a definition of the mechanisms governing the evolution of such phenomena. Research activity covers the monitoring of active volcanoes, the physics of volcanism, geochemistry of fluids, geodetics, seismology, seismotectonics, volcanology and petrology. To these ends, the Vesuvius Observatory collaborates with various Italian and foreign scientific institutes.
Monitoring
The work of the Vesuvius Observatory includes the monitoring of Vesuvius, the Campi Flegrei (Flegrean Fields), Stromboli and Ischia. These volcanoes, particularly Vesuvius and the Campi Flegrei are renowned throughout the world as being high risk areas, because of their eruptive type, which is predominantly explosive, and their close proximity to extensive urban areas. The observatory employs instrument networks to enable monitoring of these areas from a seismological, geochemical and geodetic perspective.
As specified in the Civil Protection Emergency Plan for Mt. Vesuvius and the Flegrean area, this body along with other organisations involved in the management of emergency situations, make use of information supplied by the Vesuvius Observatory to define the level of alert, and to activate the planned procedures in the case of a possible emergency in the volcanic areas of Campania.
24 hour surveillance
There is a shift system to ensure that two staff members are always on duty at the Vesuvius Observatory. These operators are responsible for checking seismic developments of the Campania volcanic areas (Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei and Ischia) and for communicating to the authorities any significant phenomena observed by the seismic monitoring system, under permanent observation.
The Civil Protection Body are immediately informed of the location and the Magnitude (Md) of any potentially perceptible earthquake. In the Vesuvius area, this means information concerning earthquake with a Md of 2.5 and above, and in the Phlegrean area, with a Md of 2 or higher.
The seismic monitoring system used for the shift system is based on a permanent seismic network (Italian only), consisting of several stations throughout the area which continually transmit data to the central point, via radio or via dedicated telephone lines. In the Vesuvius Observatory monitoring room the signals appear on monitors (rather than the traditional mode, on paper,) thanks to an innovative processing system, called SISMI, and hence the traces appear on the web. This system, which has been developed by our staff, has an automatic alarm system which sends messages to mobile phones in case of seismic event or malfunction of any component(s).
Educational activities
The Vesuvius Observatory is involved in teaching activities and science through a variety of projects with different types of schools. Most training activities take place on the original site, on Mt. Vesuvius, where there is a permanent exhibition. Expert guides take the visitors through educational tours in volcanology and geophysics, and demonstrate the collection of geophysics instruments and the rock collection from Vesuvius' most recent eruptions, built up in the Observatory in the course of over 150 years of scientific research. The exhibition is open to the public and is regularly visited by school groups and cultural associations from all over Italy.
Italian and foreign university groups can also visit the monitoring centre in 328 via Diocleziano Napoli, on request to the director of the Vesuvius Observatory. As there are no staff specifically designated to guide visitors, permission is granted depending on the availability of research staff, and their work commitments.