This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 858092
The IMPROVE course on “Geochemical and Geophysical Methods for Volcano Monitoring and Geothermal Exploration” took place at the West Systems s.r.l in Pontedera (Pisa), Italy, from September 30 to October 3, 2024, and was organized by Dr. Giulio Bini (IMPROVE ESR and Course Director), Dr. Giancarlo Tamburello and Dr. Antonio Costa from INGV Bologna, and Leonardo Coppo from West Systems s.r.l.
This course trained the participants on the basic concepts of geochemical and geophysical volcano monitoring and geothermal exploration by using ground- and drone-based data acquisitions. Participants had hands-on opportunities to conduct measurements of the soil CO2 emission and temperature at the Biancane geothermal area (Larderello, Italy). They then applied statistical methods to process this data, which allowed them to map and quantify gas emissions and estimate the geothermal potential of the area.
The course was attended by 16 participants, including 6 Early Stage Researchers from the IMPROVE project. The other 10 participants came from various European and African (Algeria) research institutions, and from industry partners of IMPROVE, such as Landsvirkjun, the national power company of Iceland.
IMPROVE participated in the European Researchers’ Night, an event held annually across Europe on the last Friday of September, with the goal of connecting the public with science and research. We were hosted in Pisa at the stand of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Pisa section (which we would like to thank), showcasing simulations of magma dynamics involved in the generation and evolution of volcanic eruptions
IMPROVE, EPOS (European Plate Observing System), and the KMT (Krafla Magma Testbed) project are co-organizing a workshop in Dublin on November 21-22, 2024, to foster collaboration between science and industry in the field of high-temperature and near-magma geosciences.
A block of rooms has been reserved at a discounted rate for guests attending the workshop. For info, please click below:
https://bookings.claytonhotels.com/offer/burlington-road/DIAS-IMPROVEWorkshop
Due to organizational constraints there may be a maximum number of participants allowed besides the IMPROVE participants, on a first come – first serve basis.
Giulio Bini, IMPROVE Early Stage Researcher, has been double-honored. In July 2023 he was awarded the Silver Medal of ETH Zurich for his outstanding doctoral thesis entitled “Interpreting the dynamics of magmatic-hydrothermal systems using the chemistry of gas emissions: the case of the Nisyros caldera (Aegean Arc, Greece)”. One year after, in July 2024, during the 2nd Congress of the Italian Geochemical Society at Perugia, Italy, Giulio received the Tonani Award of the Italian Geochemical Society (SOGEI) for the Best Doctoral Thesis in Applied Geochemistry.
Winning the Tonani Award – said Giulio Bini – for the best doctoral thesis in Applied Geochemistry is an honor, not only because of the prestige of the Italian Geochemical Society (SOGEI) but also because it validates years of dedicated research.
My thesis focused on interpreting the dynamics of magmatic-hydrothermal systems using the chemistry of gas emissions, which I believe addresses some key challenges in the volcanology field today. Clear increases in magmatic gases during unrest periods suggest that outgassing occurs in episodic bursts. These episodes are not always tied to eruptions or mafic magma recharge in the upper-crust, but can be triggered by fluid accumulation from magma evolution or earthquakes. The permeability increase in the crust triggered by earthquakes can also favor magmatic outgassing from evolved upper-crustal reservoirs at high-crystallinity.
These findings are valuable for monitoring volcanoes during both quiescence and unrest, and for understanding the physical state of shallow magma reservoirs. This recognition fuels my passion for advancing geochemical research and underscores the importance of applied geochemistry for understanding how volcanoes behave. I’m deeply grateful for this award and the support from my mentors and colleagues throughout this journey.
A direct link to the article is: https://issuu.com/euresearcher/docs/improve_eur38_h_res and can be cited as “Papale, P., Davoli, R., Maaß, R. (2024). Beneath the surface for new volcano imaging systems. EU Research, Summer 2024 vol. (38), pp. 28 – 29″. It can be disseminated under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. Thanks to all ESRs, and, in particular, to Regina Maaß and Roberto Davoli who contributed more directly.
The Fourth Network School “Multi-facet Science: data, models, infrastructure, industry and communication“ was organized at the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Germany, from 27 to 31 May 2024.
The course covered a variety of subjects and presented examples in data analysis, numerical modeling, analogical approaches, and the use of infrastructures for science, highlighting them as key elements for multi-scale science. The course included both scientific and technological aspects, presented through relevant application cases such as source modeling through the integration of multidisciplinary approaches and multiparametric data. One relevant aspect was represented by examples of cooperation involving industry and small-medium enterprises, aimed in particular to present how scientific knowledge contributes to define industrial advance.
The course also focused on additional skills such as project management, research leadership, and effective communication. Additional transferable and soft skills included project scouting, reading project calls, project preparation and writing, career planning, and goal setting. Finally, non-academic contributions were addressed, including business-oriented planning and organization, cost and time management, value engineering, and work-life balance.
One day was dedicated to visit Berlin, including a river tour designed to showcase the many facets of the city from a different perspective. This trip also provided an opportunity to continue discussions involving the teachers and the students.
The IMPROVE 4th School in Potsdam was attended by 19 students, represented by the 15 IMPROVE ESRs plus other 4 external students.
The Marie Sklodowska-Curie European Training Network “Innovative Multi-disciplinary European Research training network on VolcanoEs” (MSCA-ETN IMPROVE) is a project funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme. In IMPROVE, 15 Early Stage Researchers are trained to innovative research in volcano science extending across the academia-industry bridge, and including cooperative work, leadership skills, and independent thinking. Volcano science includes from innovative monitoring and prospecting to advanced lab experiments, High Performance Computing, and Artificial Intelligence.
The understanding of sources in Earth processes requires the knowledge of physical and geochemical parameters spatial distribution and their variations in time. This is for example relevant in industrial environment such as geothermal companies, where there is the need to gather knowledge on structural aspects of the geothermal reservoir and mechanisms associated with the harnessing of fluids is fundamental to optimize the heat transfer from the source for the production. The use of existing infrastructure and how to use them in scientific questions is also of importance. In the Potsdam (Germany) School, we will consider several various examples of data analysis, numerical modelling, analogical approaches, use of existing infrastructure as key elements for Science at multi-scale. One important aspect of the school will be to see how industry and small and medium enterprise use this knowledge to define industrial projects. The School will also dedicate specific topics such as project management, research leadership, good communication and career/life optimal paths.
| May 27 | Arrivals & Ice-breaker |
| May 28 | Multi parametric observations methods Multi parametric modelling |
| May 29 | School trip: Discovery of multi-cultural Berlin |
| May 30 | Infrastructures and integration approaches |
| May 31 | Multi ways to transfer Science |
| June 1 | Departure |
Klaus Bauer, Marco Bohnhoff, Sascha Brune, Valérie Cayol, Gilda Currenti, Maryory Sarria Dulcey, Christian Haberland, Andre Kloth, Martin Lipus, Shane Murphy, Bjarni Palsson, Paul-Eric Potie, Simona Repensburg, Claudia Rey Crowie, Umberto Riccardi, Matthias Roseneau, Ute Weckman, Philipp Weis, Christopher Wollin, Josef Zens.
PhD candidates and early stage postdocs.
Each student will pay a contribution towards the true costs. This includes ice-breaker party, lunch, coffee breaks, social dinner, school materials, and a mid-school visit of Berlin. The cost is €160,00 per participant.
The school is open to a maximum of 15 students, besides IMPROVE fellows. Participants will be selected on the basis of demonstrated relevance of the school for their research and career development.
Deadline for Registration: 13 May 2024
Information on Acceptance: 15 May 2024
Applications should be sent to philippe.jousset@gfz-potsdam.de. The applicants must include a max. 5 lines statement explaining why the school is relevant for their activities and career.
The school will be held at the GFZ Potzsdam, Germany. See more information on the venue here: https://www.gfz-potsdam.de/en/
The Fifth Specialized Short Course on “Petrophysical Properties: From the Laboratory to the Field and Modelling” was held at Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany, from April 8 to 10, 2024. The course was organized by Professor Bettina Scheu, Dr. Jackie Kendrick, and Dr. Anthony Lamur, who also conducted the lectures, laboratory tours, and hands-on practice.
Participants were introduced to theoretical concepts and various techniques for characterizing petrophysical properties both in the field and in the lab. Further lectures comprised scaling aspects from lab to field, and the complementarity of petrophysical knowledge with geophysical data and models.
During the practical sessions, participants were trained in both field and lab techniques to measure and/or calculate various petrophysical properties, such as bulk density, connected porosity, and permeability, using a set of Krafla rock samples. Later the participants analyzed and discussed different methods to deepen further their understanding of individual benefits and shortcomings, as well as associated precision, of the individual techniques, and of their usage. A total of 13 students participated in the course: 8 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) from the IMPROVE project and 5 external participants from LMU Munich.
