In this work, we use X and C-band SAR data provided by the COSMO-SkyMed and ENVISAT missions to detect and measure some ground deformation phenomena along six coastal areas of Italy. In particular, we exploit multi-temporal interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR), i.e., small baseline subsets (SBAS) and interferometric point target analysis (IPTA) methods, to retrieve the deformation rate maps and time series for each investigated area. Multi-temporal InSAR analysis revealed local subsidence and uplifting effects in Ravenna Coastal Areas, Fiumicino, Campi Flegrei, Sibari Plain, Augusta Bay, and Taranto Gulf. Our work is meant as a demonstrator to show how InSAR-based analysis can provide a detailed understanding of the coastal hazards. Such analysis also opens up new monitoring scenarios such as the possibility of designing a near real-time surveillance service based on Sentinel-1 SAR data.

Southwestern Sicily is an area of infrequent seismic activity; however, some studies carried out in the archaeological Selinunte site suggest that, between the fourth century BC and the early Middle Ages, probably at least two earthquakes strucked this area with enough energy to damage and cause the collapse and kinematics of much of the architecture of Selinunte. Take into account that, in 2008, a noninvasive archaeological prospection and traditional data gathering methods along the Acropolis north fortifications were carried out. Following these first studies, after about 10 years, a new geophysical campaign was carried out. This second campaign benefited from the application of modern technologies for the acquisition and processing of the point cloud data on the northern part of the Acropolis, like terrestrial laser scanning and unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry. In this paper, we present the application of these techniques and a strategy for their integration for the 3D modelling of buildings and cultural heritages. We show how the integration of data acquired independently by these two techniques is an added value able to overcome the intrinsic limits of the individual techniques. The application to Selinunte's Acropolis allowed it to highlight and measure with high accuracy fractures, dislocation, inclinations of walls, depressions of some areas and other interesting observations, which may be important starting points for future investigations.

A multiscale approach to the monitoring of earthquakes and their effects can represent an effective tool for the reduction of seismic risk. Devoted monitoring networks are essential to cope with the seismic emergency in urban areas, to assess the damage scenarios, which are useful for the preservation of the strategic functions and services and to improve the community resilience to earthquakes. The National Earthquake Observatory, Italian Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology (ONT-INGV, Italy), has been recently involved in several projects devoted to the reduction of seismic risk by means of the implementation of urban-scale and building-scale monitoring networks. Such systems represent a necessary support for the well-established national seismic network. All these approaches (country, urban, and building scale) could be framed within of a unique system in which each part holds different tasks, with the common final objective of the earthquake risk reduction. In this paper different approaches, experiences and potential capabilities on urban seismic networks, structural health and cultural heritage monitoring implemented in Italy by the ONT-INGV will be presented, with the ultimate goal of achieving an effective integrated multi-scale system.

In this paper, the non-invasive system MASSIMO is presented for the monitoring and the seismic vulnerability mitigation of the cultural heritage. It integrates ground-based, airborne and spaceborne remote sensing tools with geophysical and in situ surveys to provide the multi-spatial (regional, urban and building scales) and multi-temporal (long-term, short-term, near-real-time and real-time scales) monitoring of test areas and buildings. The measurements are integrated through web-based GIS and 3D visual platforms to support decision-making stakeholders involved in urban planning and structural requalification. An application of this system is presented over the Calabria region for the town of Cosenza and a test historical complex.

Nanotechnology-based materials are currently being tested in the protection of cultural heritage: ethyl silicate or silica nanoparticles dispersed in aqueous colloidal suspensions mixed with titanium dioxide are used as a coating for stone materials. These coatings can play a key role against the degradation of stone materials, due to the deposit of organic matter and other contaminants on the substrate, a phenomenon that produces a greater risk for the monuments in urban areas because of the increasing atmospheric pollution. However, during the application phase, it is important to evaluate the amount of titanium dioxide in the coatings on the substrate, as it can produce a coverage effect on the asset. In this work, we present the hyperspectral data obtained through a field spectroradiometer on samples of different stone materials, which have been prepared in laboratory with an increasing weight percentage of titanium dioxide from 0 to 8 wt%. The data showed spectral signatures dependent on the content of titanium dioxide in the wavelength range 350–400 nm. Afterwards, blind tests were performed on other samples in order to evaluate the reliability of these measurements in detecting the unknown weight percentage of titanium dioxide. Moreover, an investigation was also performed on a test application of nanoparticle coatings on a stone statue located in a coastal town in Calabria (southern Italy). The results showed that the surveys can be useful for verifying the phase of application of the coating on cultural heritage structures; however, they could also be used to check the state of the coated stone directly exposed over time to atmospheric, biological and chemical agents.