Geophysical surveys for the restoration of Branciforte Palace in Palermo

A multi-methodological and non-invasive geophysical study has been carried out in order to support the restoration project of the historic Branciforte Palace in Palermo. Ground Penetrating Radar profiles and an Electrical Resistivity Tomography ERT, carried out on the floor of the stable of the Palace, allowed to evaluate in detail the state of consolidation of the subsoil, in correspondence of a double row of marble columns, some of which were affected by differential subsidence. These columns have been investigated by means of Ultrasonic Tomography to verify their state of degradation. Moreover Infrared Thermography images of the internal and external walls and of the vaults highlighted d…

Statistical approach for cavity detection using seismic refraction and electrical resistivity data

To test limitations and effectiveness of seismic tomography when coupled to geoelectrical technique for cavity detection 2D synthetic models were used. Synthetic models were created with different number of cavity and blocks of highly cohesive lithological material (high seismic velocity and resistivity values). A modified version of multiple gradient (Martorana et al., 2016) has been used for electrical sequence. The cluster analysis performed on static units defined by electrical resistivity values, P wave velocities, and seismic density on coincident sections, allowed to interpret subsoil structures. The use of the non-hierarchical clustering algorithm has been chosen because it is less …

GPR 3D model in the area of the San Nicola church, Misterbianco (Sicily)

Abstract In 1669 the most destructive eruption on Etna volcano was recorded since historical times (about 700 BCE), whose lava flow destroyed completely the ancient town of Misterbianco, located on the southern slope of Mount Etna. San Nicola church is one of the three churches that historically were covered by lava flow. In the 1980s, some works for the construction of a parking lot allowed to discover an ancient wall belonging to the church. Some georadar prospections were carried out in the investigated area finalized to reconstruct the planimetric development of the ancient church and to direct future excavation works.

Studio per la definizione dei modelli concettuali dei corpi idrici sotterranei di Peloritani, Nebrodi e ragu-sano e indagini geofisiche correlate

Evidence of Roman Earthquake Surface Faulting at Santa Venera al Pozzo (Catania, Southern Italy): a probable seismic event in 251 AD?

The record of historical seismicity of Catania (Southern Italy) and its neighbourhood during the first millennium AD is largely incomplete due to the scarcity of sources reporting information on earthquake damage, whereas on the contrary numerous historical sources provide plentiful description of past Etnean eruptions affecting the Catania area. This study provides new insights on the Catania seismic history, which was struck by large earthquakes during its recent history (e.g. 1169, 1542, 1693, 1818 earthquakes). During the first millennium, the only documented earthquake occurred in 251 AD, a year before of the big Etna eruption of 252 AD (Guidoboni et al., 2014). This earthquake left we…

Multivariate modelling of geophysical tomography data to identify a tectonized area

An integrated analysis approach, based on geological investigations and 2D high-resolution shallow geophysical data, was proposed along a slope in the Bellolampo landfill area (Palermo, Italy) where the presence of a fault zone was hypothesized. Geophysical surveys included electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), induced polarization tomography (IPT) and seismic refraction tomography (SRT) techniques. The inversion of single geophysical parameter often does not allow to justify the complexity of the subsoil structures. The most appropriate solution should be to add additional physical or geological information so to get a constrained geological model. However, it is not at all easy to work…

GPR and magnetic survey at the Kamarina archaeological site (Sicily, Italy) supported by aerial photo-graphic and thermographic data

Abstract – Multidisciplinary geophysical investigations have been carried out in a small area of the Greek archaeological site of Kamarina, in southern Sicily, in order to support some hypotheses, derived from historical and archaeological bases. After an aerial photographic and thermographic survey, a small area near to the Agora has been considered for magnetometric and GPR investigations. Obtained results show a good correlation and allow to highlight some structures oriented in agreement with the uncovered remains. The use of integrated geophysical techniques allowed a more robust interpretation of the detected anomalies in order to better address the choices for new excavations.