Geology - IST
Geology
The Geology group is actively engaged in research projects aimed at geological mapping and the evolution of the geological landscape, sustainable territory management, geological and energy resource management, and studying the impact of climate change on the abiotic environment.
Research areas
The word “territory” evokes other related words: environment, hazard, vulnerability, risk, safeguarding, and sustainable development. Earth sciences increase awareness of a territory's resources and hazards, enabling the sustainable management of natural heritage. Key activities within the Geology group include understanding geological processes, monitoring risk-prone areas, and creating preventive models. The applied research focuses on geological mapping, the analysis of instability processes, and the development of three-dimensional models. The group also provides geological, geophysical, and geotechnical services.
Geological mapping synthesizes and represents geological reality on a cartographic base, serving as a tool to address challenges related to the protection, management, and planning of territory, as well as the sustainable use of natural resources.
Projects commissioned by the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo include the creation of geological maps for the Geological Atlas of Switzerland at a 1:25,000 scale, covering the Mendrisio, Osogna, Biasca, Grono, Mesocco, and Hinterrhein sheets. The mapping process requires an iterative methodology involving continuous and reciprocal validation between discrete field observations and spatially continuous representations derived from state-of-the-art remote sensing methods.
Projects commissioned by the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo include the creation of geological maps for the Geological Atlas of Switzerland at a 1:25,000 scale, covering the Mendrisio, Osogna, Biasca, Grono, Mesocco, and Hinterrhein sheets. The mapping process requires an iterative methodology involving continuous and reciprocal validation between discrete field observations and spatially continuous representations derived from state-of-the-art remote sensing methods.
Caption test
The group focuses on the creation of thematic geological maps, such as those related to instability phenomena and natural hazards.
Activities include field surveys and terrain analysis using remote sensing and geomatics methodologies, including the analysis of analog and digital images, as well as the use of digital terrain models and orthophotos.
The use of specialized software for three-dimensional visualization of the Earth's surface provides a comprehensive view of geological features, facilitating the identification of risk areas and the characterization of processes, particularly in hard-to-access regions.
Activities include field surveys and terrain analysis using remote sensing and geomatics methodologies, including the analysis of analog and digital images, as well as the use of digital terrain models and orthophotos.
The use of specialized software for three-dimensional visualization of the Earth's surface provides a comprehensive view of geological features, facilitating the identification of risk areas and the characterization of processes, particularly in hard-to-access regions.
Caption test
The study of areas exposed to natural hazards is carried out through the mapping, the analysis, the numerical modeling, and the monitoring of instability phenomena (rockfalls, landslides, earth flows, and debris flows).
Stability analyses using the latest computational tools and the development of numerical models (landslide propagation, debris flow dynamics, permafrost distribution) enable the assessment of areas potentially affected by slope instability processes. This provides an essential prevention tool to mitigate the damage caused by natural hazards.
In particular, updating maps and landslide inventories, combined with the use of precision monitoring tools (inclinometric, distancemetric, and piezometric measurements), allows for continuous monitoring of the most unstable areas.
Stability analyses using the latest computational tools and the development of numerical models (landslide propagation, debris flow dynamics, permafrost distribution) enable the assessment of areas potentially affected by slope instability processes. This provides an essential prevention tool to mitigate the damage caused by natural hazards.
In particular, updating maps and landslide inventories, combined with the use of precision monitoring tools (inclinometric, distancemetric, and piezometric measurements), allows for continuous monitoring of the most unstable areas.
Caption test
The Geology group conducts various geotechnical tests, both on-site and in the laboratory (discover more about the group's Territorial services and TerraLab SUPSI).
These tests permit determining the physical and mechanical properties of both natural materials, such as rocks and soils, and artificial fill materials. The resulting data provide a better understanding of the subsurface for engineering and enable the characterization of instability phenomena related to natural hazards.
These tests permit determining the physical and mechanical properties of both natural materials, such as rocks and soils, and artificial fill materials. The resulting data provide a better understanding of the subsurface for engineering and enable the characterization of instability phenomena related to natural hazards.
Caption test
Natural resources are fundamental to the sustainable development of modern society. Mineral resources provide essential materials for industry and technology, while geothermal resources offer a renewable and clean energy source.
The Geology group is involved in research projects that add high value to local stone waste by using 3D printing to create architectural elements. Additionally, it is engaged in a deep geothermal project aimed at quantifying the efficiency of seasonal energy storage in the form of hot water within fractured rock masses at the Bedretto Lab.
The Geology group is involved in research projects that add high value to local stone waste by using 3D printing to create architectural elements. Additionally, it is engaged in a deep geothermal project aimed at quantifying the efficiency of seasonal energy storage in the form of hot water within fractured rock masses at the Bedretto Lab.
Caption test
The IST has the following drones at its disposal:
- The DJI Phantom P4 Multispectral is equipped with a multispectral camera featuring six lenses (RGB, Blue, Green, Red, Red Edge, and Infrared). It allows for traditional surveys and the use of indices such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), making it ideal for vegetation analysis.
- The DJI Mavic 3T features a multispectral camera with three lenses (RGB, Thermal, and Zoom). Thanks to the high resolution of the RGB camera and its ability to maintain a consistent altitude above the ground during flight, this drone enables high-definition photogrammetric surveys.
Caption test
Digital Schmidt Rebound Hammer Proceq (SilverSchmidt model, type N, with an impact energy of 2.207 Nm).
This instrument, designed to test the strength and uniformity of concrete, is also used in geomorphology and the study of instability phenomena for the relative dating of rock surface exposure ages.
This instrument, designed to test the strength and uniformity of concrete, is also used in geomorphology and the study of instability phenomena for the relative dating of rock surface exposure ages.
Caption test
The Slope Indicator system is used to measure changes in the angle of inclination within inclinometer casings (up to 100 m depth). Measurements are taken along two perpendicular axes to determine the magnitude and direction of movements in areas affected by landslides.
The data, collected periodically, are processed using the dedicated DigiPro2 software.
The data, collected periodically, are processed using the dedicated DigiPro2 software.
Caption test
For optical mineralogical description, the Geology group is equipped with:
- A Zeiss 47 20 45-9901 polarized light optical microscope, offering spatial resolution ranging from the sub-centimeter scale to a few hundred microns.
- A Leica DM IRB inverted polarized light optical microscope, with spatial resolution covering the sub-centimeter scale to a few hundred microns, also ideal for mineral separation.
- A Wild M3Z binocular stereomicroscope with a light source, providing magnification ranging from 6.5x to 40x.
Caption test
This instrument is used for on-site geotechnical investigations. The commonly used light dynamic penetrometer in Switzerland is the "Von Moos" penetrometer (SN 670'417). The instrument consists of various components assembled directly in the field. A motor drives a 30 kg hammer, which falls from a height of 20 cm and strikes 1-meter-long rods that are progressively driven into the ground.
At the end of the rods is a 3 cm diameter tip, and the rods can be extended as penetration depth increases, up to a maximum of approximately 10–12 meters. The number of blows required to drive the rods every 10 cm of penetration is recorded, providing information about the soil type (clayey, sandy, gravelly, etc.), relative density, friction angle, shear modulus, shear wave velocity, and more.
At the end of the rods is a 3 cm diameter tip, and the rods can be extended as penetration depth increases, up to a maximum of approximately 10–12 meters. The number of blows required to drive the rods every 10 cm of penetration is recorded, providing information about the soil type (clayey, sandy, gravelly, etc.), relative density, friction angle, shear modulus, shear wave velocity, and more.
Caption test
The 3D visualization station for digital aerial images uses the Pluraview 3D screen, which ensures high-quality stereo visualization. This system is particularly useful for geological and geomorphological mapping projects, applied to the survey of Quaternary deposits for the Geological Atlas of Switzerland 1:25,000 and for detailed surveys of areas prone to natural hazards. The ERDAS IMAGINE Photogrammetry and StereoAnalyst for ArcGIS software enable the processing of a wide range of data, from aerial photos (e.g., swisstopo strips) and drone images to point clouds obtained from laser scanner monitoring and satellite radar interferometry data (InSAR).
Caption test
Institute of Earth Sciences
Geology sector
Campus SUPSI Mendrisio
Via Flora Ruchat-Roncati 15
CH-6850 Mendrisio
Via Flora Ruchat-Roncati 15
CH-6850 Mendrisio