With the atomic sensor it will be possible to measure with high precision the variations in gravity induced by the ascent of the magma
The installation of the AQG gravimeter (Absolute Quantum Gravimeter). The installation, coordinated by Daniele Carbone and Filippo Greco, researchers from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), was created by a specialized team from INGV and Muquans as part of the European project NEWTON-g (NEW TOols for terraiN Gravimetry). "The application of gravimetry on volcanoes makes it possible to estimate the mass variations that can occur, for example, during the ascent of magma towards the surface", says Daniele Carbone. “The AQG gravimeter, produced by Muquans, partner of the NEWTON-g project, is the first quantum gravimeter to be installed on an active volcano and allows us to estimate, with extreme precision, the absolute value of the acceleration of gravity, i.e. the acceleration that a body undergoes when it is in free fall. The performance of the AQG during the first days of continuous acquisition”, continues the researcher, “It was better than expected, despite the high level of volcanic tremor that characterizes the installation site. On the basis of the first data acquired, we expect the possibility of detecting variations in gravity with amplitudes of the order of a few microgals which develop on time scales ranging from a few hours to several months/years".
Alfio Messina and Danilo Contrafatto, INGV technicians, add "to supply the necessary power supply for the continuous operation of the instrument, given that the Pizzi Deneri Observatory is not connected to the electricity grid, a system based on solar panels and a diesel generator was developed which exploits a sophisticated module of control for the management of energy sources and the storage system. Etna”Carbone concludes. "a 'laboratory' of pioneering experiments in the gravimetric field is confirmed for the second time, after the installation of three very high precision gravimeters which took place between 2014 and 2016".
The data produced by the gravimeters in continuous acquisition make it possible to integrate and complete the information provided by the permanent multi-parameter network of Etna, which is used, above all, for the rapid evaluation of changes in the state of activity of the volcano.
#ingv #etna #gravimetry #pizziDeneri
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INGV. An atomic gravimeter installed on Etna: the first time on an active volcano
With the atomic sensor it will be possible to measure with high precision the gravity changes induced by the ascent of the magma
The installation of the AQG (Absolute Quantum Gravimeter) was completed at the Pizzi Deneri Volcanological Observatory, located at an elevation of 2800 meters on the north flank of Etna. The installation, coordinated by Daniele Carbone and Filippo Greco, researchers of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), was carried out by a specialized team of INGV and Muquans, in the framework of the European project NEWTON-g (NEW TOols for terraiN Gravimetry).
"Volcano gravimetry allows us to evaluate the mass changes that can develop, for example, during the ascent of magma towards the surface", says Daniele Carbone. "The AQG gravimeter, produced by Muquans, a SME partner of the NEWTON-g project, is the first quantum gravimeter to be installed on an active volcano and allows us to precisely estimate the absolute value of the gravity acceleration, ie the acceleration that a body undergoes when it free falls The performance of the AQG during the first days of continuous acquisition", continues the researcher, “has been better than expected, despite the high level of volcanic tremor that characterizes the installation site. On the grounds of the data acquired up to now, we envisage the possibility of detecting gravity changes with amplitudes of the order of some microgal that develop over time scales ranging from a few hours to several months or years".
"To supply the power necessary for the continuous operation of the instrument", add Alfio Messina and Danilo Contrafatto, technicians of INGV, "since mains electricity is not available at the Pizzi Deneri Observatory, a system based on solar panels and a diesel generator has been developed. This system uses a sophisticated control module for managing the energy sources and the storage system. For the second time", concludes Carbone, "a pioneering application of gravimetry occurs at Ena, after the installation of three high-precision gravimeters (superconducting devices), performed between 2014 and 2016".
The data produced by the gravimeters in continuous acquisition allow to integrate and complete the information provided by the permanent multiparametric network of Etna, which is mainly used for the real-time evaluation of changes in the state of activity of the volcano.
#ingv #gravimetry #etna #pizziDeneri
Photo 1 – One of the domes of the Pizzi Deneri Volcanological Observatory. In the background, the summit craters of Etna.
Photo 1 - One of the domes of the Pizzi Deneri Volcanological Observatory. In the background, the summit craters of Etna.
Photo 2 – Some members of the INGV - Muquans team and, in the foreground, the AQG gravimeter. In the background, the summit craters of Etna, as they appear from the square in front of the Pizzi Deneri Observatory.
Photo 2 - Some members of the INGV - Muquans team and, in the foreground, the AQG gravimeter. In the background, the summit craters of Etna, as they appear from the forecourt in front of the Pizzi Deneri Observatory.