Naples (Napoli), the host city for this year’s Near Surface Geoscience Conference & Exhibition, is a true geoscience treasure. Its unique geological landscape and historical challenges provide fascinating real-world examples for each of the conference’s main tracks. Let us offer you a glimpse.

When thinking of Geohazards Assessment & Risk Mitigation in Naples, Mount Vesuvius naturally comes to mind. Volcanic activity and tectonic processes can have complex interactions – one of these is bradyseism, a cyclical ground uplift and subsidence, particularly evident in the town of Pozzuoli (just 15 km from the city center of Naples). This phenomenon has gained deeper scientific attention in recent times, particularly as a new phase of unrest has emerged since 2011, after 26 years of subsidence, making Pozzuoli a global case study for monitoring and understanding natural hazards.

Next to this, we look forward to bringing together expertise – both international and local – around the topic of UXO and Object Detection. This resonates with a number of projects around Naples, such as a recent call for the removal of unexploded ordnance in the new hospital development “San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona”. Operations like this highlight the need for precise detection technologies to ensure public safety and smooth progress, particularly in construction zones with historical contamination risks.

For the Mineral Exploration and Mining track, Naples’ rich volcanic history is exemplified by historical deposits of pumice and pozzolana. These materials, prized since Roman times for their lightweight properties and use in high-quality concrete, played a crucial role in ancient construction, including iconic structures like the Pantheon and aqueducts. The pozzolana, a natural pozzolanic material, was particularly valued for its ability to strengthen cement through its reaction with lime. These deposits remain significant not only for their historical use but also for their continued application in sustainable building practices today. 

Infrastructure developments then brings us to the Infrastructure Planning, Monitoring and BIM track, a critical domain for Naples’ complex ground composition and historic urban layout. The excavation works for Naples Metro Line 1, for instance, unearthed a number of archaeological finds spanning various historical periods, in addition to confronting challenges related to layers of volcanic ash, pumice, and soft soils. These discoveries were made possible through meticulous geophysical surveys that identified buried structures, enabling engineers to adapt construction plans accordingly. This not only prevented potential structural issues related to unstable ground but also safeguarded Naples’ rich archaeological heritage, integrating it into the modern urban face of the city.

The list of remarkable features and projects continues, but we will leave it to you to further explore our fascinating host city, while you contribute to advancing the conversation around near surface geoscience. Join us in Naples in September!