"Sistema Poseidon" a volcanic and seismic monitoring system for eastern Sicily, Italy

Abstract

Sistema Poseidon began as a project promoted by the Department of Civil Protection, in collaboration with the National Institute for Geophysics (ING) and National Group of VoIcanology (GNV-CNR), The project had several ambitious objectives; to build and maintain a seismic network in eastern Sicily; to investigate possible earthquake and eruption precursors; and to perform research on volcanic activity in Sicily. Sistema Poseidon became operative in 1999 through the collaboration of the following bodies: Department for National Technical Service (DSTN), Department of Civil Protection (DPC) and Sicilian Regional Government. The complete monitoring system includes geophysical and geochemical networks and volcanological observations, The system is organized through different centres, located strategically throughout eastern Sicily (Nicolosi, Catania, Messina and Priolo Gargallo). As well as the research centres there are two volcano observatories (Etna and Lipari) and two operational centres (Strombdi and CUAD). The Unified Centre for Data Acquisition (CUAD) performs on line multidisciplinary data acquisition and processing. Qualified operators (researchers and technicians) monitor the measured parameters 24 hours per day, every day. Information is transmitted to local and national civil defence authorities for any events which may have an impact on society.