Umberto Fracassi

A tectonic geomorphologist and structural geologist by training, I focused on brittle tectonics and fault interaction, exploiting field and topographic data, remotely sensed imagery and seismic reflection data. After obtaining my Ph.D. in 2002 in morphotectonics, I have dealt with landscape evolution resulting from active tectonics in earthquake-prone regions, with special reference to collisional terranes of the central Mediterranean.

Since joining INGV in 2003, as a seismologist I have been providing geological input in seismic hazard modeling. Beginning with early 2020, my interests have broadened to include natural and anthropogenic multi-hazards and their interaction, compounded risks also accrued and/or triggered by climate forcing, urban coastal vulnerabilities depending on sprawling megacities, and Earth system complexities.

Given the scale of the issues and the global outlook these entail, I am trying to include geosphere-biosphere feedback, energy sources (including how their exploitation influences the above hazards) and intelligence (depending on their strategic relevance and footprint). One frontier where such nexus appears to be ticking is the Arctic north and its surroundings, where permafrost thawing is compromising infrastructure, communities and non-negligible issues beyond the geophysical remits.