PhD in Earth System and Global Changes

Active faulting and interseismic deformation in the central Apennines through InSAR and near-surface geophysical investigations

The Central Apennines represent one of the most seismically active regions in the Mediterranean, characterized by active extensional tectonics and recurrent moderate-to-large earthquakes. Despite significant advances in understanding earthquake-generating faults, important uncertainties remain regarding the spatial distribution of interseismic strain, the geometry of active fault zones, and the relationship between deep-seated tectonic processes and their shallow surface expression. This PhD project aims to investigate active fault systems in the Central Apennines by integrating satellite-based Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) observations with high-resolution near-surface geophysical surveys, including Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). Multi-temporal InSAR analyses will be employed to detect and quantify subtle ground deformation associated with interseismic strain accumulation and fault creep, allowing the identification of active tectonic structures and the characterization of their deformation patterns. Georadar investigations will provide detailed imaging of shallow fault architecture, deformation zones, and recent tectonic features, enabling the validation and interpretation of remotely sensed deformation signals. The combined analysis of satellite and field-based datasets will facilitate a multi-scale assessment of fault activity, linking regional deformation patterns to local structural characteristics. Particular attention will be devoted to understanding how active faults accommodate strain during the interseismic phase and how surface deformation reflects deeper crustal processes. The expected outcomes include improved constraints on the geometry and activity of active faults, enhanced models of interseismic deformation in extensional tectonic settings, and methodological advances in the integration of remote sensing and geophysical data. The results will contribute to a better understanding of the seismic cycle in the Central Apennines and provide valuable information for seismic hazard assessment.

Info: massimiliano.porreca@unipg.it

Anatomy of silicic magmatic systems: plumbing system architectures and pre-eruptive dynamics of hazardous Colombian volcanoes

Reconstruct the pre-eruptive dynamics, storage conditions, recharge history, and ascent timescales of the evolved (andesitic–dacitic) magmas feeding Cerro Machín, Nevado del Ruiz, and Cerro Bravo, using an integrated petrological, volcanological, and geochemical approach combined with geophysical modelling. Beyond the regional significance, the project aims to generalize the results into a transferable framework for understanding how silicic magmatic systems worldwide build up to eruption. The project is linked to the RELI3SE Staff Exchanges project, which will provide additional funding for a field campaign in Colombia in December 2026 and analytical sessions at the SOLEIL synchrotron (Paris), the National Institute of Chemistry in Ljubljana, and the Brno University of Technology. RELI3SE will also support further research exchanges in South America and Europe.

Info: maurizio.petrelli@unipg.it

Decoding planetary terrains from spectral remote sensing data

This research line focuses on the study and interpretation of the spectral and/or morphological characteristics of rocky planetary bodies, through comparative approaches based on the use of laboratory and/or field analogues. There are no restrictions on the methodologies that may be adopted; however, projects incorporating laboratory spectroscopic analyses, remote sensing (both for imaging and spectral acquisition) and/or experimental petrology are particularly encouraged. Research will be carried out using the already existing experimental and analytical facilities of the department, which include a spectroscopy laboratory, electron microscopy, and a high-temperature laboratory, complemented by new equipment acquired through the funding of the Progetto di Eccellenza Dipartimentale 2023–2027. Projects may also include a component of the research activities to be conducted at foreign universities and/or research institutes.

Info: carla.tiraboschi@unipg.it

From industrial wastes to resources: decarbonization and circular economy

The ecological transition is a necessary path towards sustainable development and one of the goals of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda. The concepts of decarbonization and circular economy are among the key points to ensure this. The present research proposal is dedicated to the development of strategies to improve the sustainability of industrial processes using geomaterials. The fine-tuned technologies will be optimized along the path of (i) decarbonization of production processes, (ii) ex-situ carbon storage and (iii) reuse of waste geomaterials that will reach the status of end-of-waste and become second-generation geomaterials. The characterization and optimization of waste feedstocks and products will be carried out using both in-house instrumentations, national/international facilities and collaborations with public and private laboratories/industries.

Info: azzurra.zucchini@unipg.it

Geophysical characterization of Quaternary extensional basins in Umbria through microtremors and active multiscale geophysical data: a contribution to seismic hazard assessment

The Quaternary basins in Central Italy have been historically affected by medium- to high-intensity earthquakes. Several studies have attempted to address the stratigraphic and structural complexities that hinder both geological modeling at different scales and the reliable assessment of site response. However, the accurate definition of basin geometry and the hierarchy of bordering active faults still represent open questions within the scientific community. In this study, carried out in collaboration with national and international institutions, new and extensive passive seismic data acquired at selected sites in Umbria (microtremor measurements as single-stations and 2D seismic arrays) will be analyzed and integrated with available complementary geophysical and geological datasets. The main objective is to reconstruct in detail the 3D architecture of the Quaternary sedimentary infill such at the Colfiorito basin. This integrated approach will provide a more robust framework for improving seismic hazard assessment and for identifying local ground motion amplification effects.

Info: maurizio.ercoli@unipg.it

Monitoring and quantification of CO₂ fluxes at Campi Flegrei through the integration of observations and models of gas dispersion in the atmosphere

The characterization of gaseous emissions, particularly CO₂ released through diffuse degassing and point sources such as fumaroles and vents, is an essential tool for understanding the dynamics of volcanic and volcano-hydrothermal systems, interpreting their evolution, and designing effective monitoring strategies. The Campi Flegrei caldera, and especially the Solfatara of Pozzuoli, represents a key natural laboratory where multiple approaches for measuring and quantifying gas fluxes have been developed and tested. This PhD project aims to develop a multidisciplinary approach for the quantification and continuous monitoring of CO₂ fluxes by integrating observational data on gas fluxes and concentrations with numerical models of gas dispersion in the atmosphere. The activities will focus on field measurements and on the development and validation of a workflow for the real-time estimation of CO₂ fluxes from air concentration measurements. This will be achieved through the assimilation of gas concentration data, wind speed, and meteorological parameters within VIGIL, interfaced with the DISAGAS and Twodee2 models. The expected outcomes include the construction of integrated databases of gas flux, concentration, and meteorological measurements, as well as the development of operational workflows that combine field observations and numerical models to improve both the forecasting of gas dispersion and the estimation of CO₂ fluxes. The expected impact of the project is the advancement of volcanic monitoring techniques in a high-unrest area and the improvement of early-warning capabilities. In addition, the project will explore the transferability of the proposed method to other volcanic systems and to areas affected by tectonic degassing, with the aim of characterizing the hazard posed by natural gas emissions to human health. The PhD project will be carried out in collaboration with the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) and the University of Bari Aldo Moro.

Info: carlo.cardellini@unipg.it

Palynological constraints on the evolution of the Neuquén Basin

The Neuquén Basin (Patagonia, Argentina) preserves an exceptional record of Early Cretaceous continental environments, particularly within the Lohan Cura and Candeleros formations. These successions consist mainly of fluvial deposits, including floodplain mudstones and channel sandstones formed in meandering river systems under semi-arid climatic conditions. This PhD project aims to investigate the stratigraphic, paleoenvironmental, and paleoclimatic evolution of the basin through an integrated palynological approach. Palynology provides key insights into vegetation dynamics, climate variability, and depositional settings, especially in continental successions where other biostratigraphic markers are limited. The research will focus on selected stratigraphic sections in the southern sector of the basin (e.g., Picún Leufú and Cerro de los Leones), where fossiliferous levels occur within distal fluvial and floodplain environments. The study will combine palynostratigraphy, palynofacies analysis, and quantitative assessment of spores and pollen assemblages to reconstruct depositional environments and climatic trends. The main objectives include refining regional chronostratigraphy, reconstructing fluvial and floodplain systems, and identifying climate fluctuations influencing terrestrial ecosystems. The integration of palynological data with sedimentological and geochemical analyses will enhance the understanding of Gondwanan paleoecosystems and contribute to improved stratigraphic correlations in continental basins.

Info: amalia.spina@unipg.it

Sedimentary geology and sustainable resources - Magma-poor rifted margins: basin architecture and stratigraphic evolution along an asymmetric rift system

Stretching and thinning of the continental crust generate first‑order structural domains, each marked by characteristic stratigraphic patterns and basin architectures. Many magma‑poor rift systems develop asymmetric margins, where upper‑ and lower‑plate configurations alternate along strike, producing distinctive geometric relationships. Constraining the distribution, timing, and depositional evolution of the extensional basins is essential for reconstructing the three‑dimensional architecture of these margins.

This project aims to investigate the stratigraphic and thermal evolution of selected basins at both seismic and field scales, providing new insights into the fundamental processes governing magma‑poor rifting and supporting the identification and sustainable use of georesources.

Info: alessandro.decarlis@unipg.it

Systematic, paleoecological and taphonomic assessment of fossil cetaceans from Allerona (Umbria)

The area of Allerona in southwestern Umbria is known for its rich record of fossils of marine invertebrates and vertebrates, commonly referred to the Early Pleistocene. Among the latter, at least four skeletons of whales (Mammalia: Cetacea: Mysticeti) in different states of preservation have been recovered in the last 25 years but never studied in detail so far. This project aims at defining the systematic and taphonomic features of the specimens and to support reconstructing the paleoenvironment where they lived, by combining also information from sedimentological and geochemical proxies as well as data derived from other fossil taxa (eg, microfossils, mollusks, chondrichthyans, osteichthyans). The project will include field work to collect geological and paleontological data and lab work for the preparation and study of the vertebrate fossils to be carried out at the Museo dei Cicli Geologici in Allerona.

Info: marco.cherin@unipg.it

Towards predictive conservation: archaeometry, nanostructured materials and AI-driven approaches for Cultural Heritage

Archaeometry applies scientific methods to the study of cultural heritage materials, combining non-invasive and micro-invasive analyses, to characterize composition, technology, provenance and degradation of artefacts. In parallel, nanomaterials have become central to conservation for their compatibility with heritage substrates and their capacity to support cleaning, consolidation and protection. This project develops an integrated, multiscale framework for the characterization, interpretation and conservation of stone artefacts and historic mortars, addressed as a coupled pigment-substrate-binder system. Investigations span from bulk to nanoscale, combining multi-technique analytical approaches with the development of sustainable nanostructured conservation agents, tested at pristine, artificially aged and naturally aged stages. The project is centered on the Etruscan Hypogeum of Volumni in Perugia and complemented by additional case studies with diverse materials, environments and conservation histories. The experimental dataset will feed a vertically integrated AI workflow (diagnostic, predictive, prescriptive and generative) transforming materials data into operational conservation guidance.

Info: paola.comodi@unipg.it