OGS officially opens its new office in Trento

OGS has officially opened a new office in Trento, marking a significant step in its strategic partnership with the Autonomous Province of Trento. This collaboration seeks to enhance research, monitoring and civil protection support activities in the fields of geology, seismology and territorial monitoring.

The opening an office within the seismic and geotechnical studies facilities of the Autonomous Province of Trento, based at the Geological Service, constitutes part of the Collaboration Agreement between OGS and the Autonomous Province of Trento, as approved by the Provincial Government. This agreement governs the joint implementation of study, research and experimental data-processing activities. These operations are aimed at understanding geological processes and reducing natural and anthropogenic risks.

The office in Trento will serve as a pivotal operational and scientific hub within the region, allowing OGS to:

• provide continuous support to the Trentino Seismic Network and to numerous activities related to maintenance, data quality control and data management;

• support real-time monitoring of seismicity;

• develop studies on crustal deformation, for the analysis of tectonic processes and slow ground movements;

• carry out seismic microzonation activities and local response assessments, in support of spatial planning and risk mitigation;

• promote training, educational and scientific outreach initiatives, also in collaboration with local and national institutions and research centres.

In addition to seismology, the new office will consolidate and expand expertise in applied geophysics, with activities focused on the characterisation of the subsurface and infrastructure through integrated geophysical methods (for example, seismic and geo-electrical surveys). These activities are relevant to geological studies, environmental investigations and technical–scientific support for territorial interventions.

In addition, particular emphasis will be placed on the analysis of gravity-driven processes, including landslides, rockfalls and slope instability. This will be achieved through multi-parameter monitoring and the evaluation of geophysical and geodetic signals. The aim is to improve understanding of ongoing processes and to strengthen risk assessment and prevention tools, working in synergy with all relevant provincial authorities.

The presence of the OGS in Trentino further strengthens an already well-established collaboration with the Provincial Geological Service and other organisations operating in the area, such as the University of Trento and the Bruno Kessler Foundation. It also contributes to the development of strategic infrastructure for territorial safety, promoting the use and integration of scientific data for the benefit of the community and the civil protection system.