Research area: Applied Earth Sciences
Coordinators: Patrizio Torrese
ERC sectors: PE10_19 Planetary geology and geophysics; PE10_7 Physics of earth’s interior, seismology, geodynamycs
1. Development of geophysical methods for planetary exploration
Development and testing of promising geophysical methods for shallow-depth planetary exploration; non-invasive geophysical methods, quick and easy to perform both in data acquisition and processing, applicable even in remote and inaccessible areas; methods that do not require the use of cables and active sources, or a limited use of active sources, and that involve the use of compact and lightweight instrumentation; data acquisition that requires no or limited human intervention.
2. Geophysical characterization of planetary analogues
Shallow-depth geophysical characterization of planetary analogues; among the most significant planetary analogues are meteorite impact craters and lava tubes; both of these structures are present on the Moon and Mars; In particular, lava tubes on the Moon and Mars are larger than on Earth and could represent future planetary human habitats as well as playing a key role in the search for life on planetary bodies.
Jacobs University Bremen (Germany), Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (Germany), Università di Bologna, Università di Padova, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC) - Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial (Madrid, Spain), International Research School of Planetary Sciences-Università G. d’Annunzio di Chieti-Pescara, Universite de Poitiers (France), German Aerospace Center-Institute of Planetary Research-Planetary Physics-Berlin Astronaut Training Division-European Astronaut Centre-Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Operations-European Space Agency (Cologne, Germany)
1. Studies of planetary volcanic analogues using microseismic analysis for the detection and exploration of lava tubes
2. Detection, mapping, and analysis of lava tubes for studies of planetary volcanic analogues using electrical techniques
3. Passive seismic stratigraphy for the investigation of planetary volcanic analogues
4. Detection, mapping, and analysis of lava tubes using integrated geophysical and LiDAR techniques
5. Sinkhole exploration using pseudo-3D electrical techniques
6. Exploration of the buried structure of meteorite impact craters using active seismic techniques
Torrese, P., Pozzobon, R., Rossi, A.P., Unnithan, V., Sauro, F., Borrmann, D., Lauterbach, H., Santagata, T. (2021). Detection, imaging and analysis of lava tubes for planetary analogue studies using electric methods (ERT), Icarus, 114244, doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2020.114244.
Torrese, P., Rossi, A. P., Unnithan, V., Pozzobon, R., Borrmann, D., Lauterbach, H., Luzzi, E., Sauro, F. (2020). HVSR passive seismic stratigraphy for the investigation of planetary volcanic analogues, Icarus, 351, doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2020.113970
Torrese P. (2020). Investigating karst aquifers: Using pseudo 3-D electrical resistivity tomography to identify major karst features, Journal of Hydrology, 580, doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.124257
Torrese P., Rossi A.P., Ormö J., Rainone M.L., Ori G.G. (2019). Investigating the subsurface structure of the main crater of the proposed Sirente meteorite crater field (Central Italy): new clues from reflection seismics. Planetary and Space Science, 168, 27-39, doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2018.12.008
Rainone M.L., Rusi S., Torrese P. (2015). Mud Volcanoes in Central Italy: Subsoil Characterization through a Multidisciplinary Approach. Geomorphology, 234, 228-242, doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.01.026
[Photo courtesy European Space Agency-ESA]