Memorandum of Understanding with IngV (National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanics of Italy- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e vulcanologia) signed by Anti -Seismic Planning and Protection Organization (OASP) In the context of the 24 -hour monitoring of the Greek volcanic arc as well as the appreciation of volcanic risk.

The purpose of cooperation is to transfer know -how to estimate the volcanic risk, The management and extension of volcanic action monitoring networks and the possibility of IGV’s operational assistance in cases of seismic/volcanic crisis.

On the basis of this memorandum, OASP requested IngV’s assistance to the placement and operation of geochemical organs in Thira and the island complex within the caldera, necessary to effectively monitor the ongoing seismic/volcanic activity.

In fact, OASP and IngV steps will be in Thira and in the Caldera Island complex for research work from today until Friday, March 21, 2025.

IngV responding to the OASP request, sends a group of Italian geochemicals who will carry out the following research work:

  1. Sample of gases in fumarol on the territory of Nea Kameni and Gas Santed at the Sea and the two islands of Old and Nea Kameni
  2. Detection of carbon dioxide flows from the ground to new burnt
  3. Recording of soil temperatures and gas collection within the ground in New Kameni
  4. Measurement of carbon dioxide concentration
  5. Sampling the healing source at sea around the two islands of Old and Nea Kameni and the groundwater of Thira.
  6. Possible installation of continuous temperature and electrical conductivity measuring devices in two ground sampling positions of the hunting water
  7. All gas and water samples collected will be analyzed in the laboratory and the results will be compared to previous data.

All of these measurements will be essential for the development in the near future continuous monitoring stations in the fumarols of New Kameni.

IngV researchers coming from Sicily’s Palermo consists of:

• Walter d ‘Alessandro: He has three decades of experience in fluid geochemistry applied to volcanic monitoring and evaluating the impact of volcanic and geothermal emissions on the environment and human health.

• Cinzia Federico: is responsible for the Department of Geochemical Surveillance of Active Volcanoes and Specialist in Hydrogenesis and Thermal Systems Geochemistry.

• Fausto Grassa: His interest focuses mainly on the study of the origin of gases and their geodetic regime relationships, geochemical monitoring of active volcanoes, and in the geochemistry of fluid isotopes associated with magazine systems.

• Marco Liuzzo: Specialist in Geochemical Study of Active Volcanic Systems, focusing on the designation of air emissions, in order to evaluate miracle processes related to explosive activity. With more than two decades of experience, he has been a coordinator of geochemical monitoring networks of the Etna and Stromboli volcanoes.

This team will jointly work with the OASP spokesman and scientific officer of the Memorandum of Understanding Dr. Spyros Lalechos, Geophysical, Head of the Seismotics Department.