Palermo is set to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) with two days of events aimed at showcasing the institute's scientific excellence. On February 5 and 6, 2024, the Ecomuseo Mare Memoria Viva will host 'L'INGV si racconta a Palermo,' organized with the Ufficio Scolastico Regionale (USR) for Sicily. The event will focus on the institute's research on Earth, its contributions to society, and the challenges it faces moving forward.
Director of the INGV's Palermo section, Antonio Paonita, expressed excitement about hosting the anniversary celebrations, emphasizing the institute's long-standing tradition in geochemistry which unites all three of its departments for this comprehensive event. “We are thrilled to celebrate here and invite the local community to engage with our work,” he noted.
During the two days, scientists will guide secondary school students and the public through seminars and interactive activities, showcasing the institute's commitment to Earth sciences. Research Director Sergio Gurrieri highlighted the importance of geosciences, particularly fluid geochemistry, for comprehending natural phenomena.
The celebration will kick off on February 5 with institutional greetings from key figures including Massimo Chiappini, director of the INGV Environment Department, and Carlo Doglioni, INGV President. Other notables expected at the event include regional senators and the mayor of Palermo, Roberto Lagalla.
Following these introductions, attendees will be able to participate in various seminars depicting the INGV’s mission, deep-sea exploration, geology related to earthquakes and tsunamis, and the influence of space weather on daily life. There will also be exhibits, interactive labs, educational activities, and demonstrations of the latest scientific technologies, allowing visitors to engage actively with natural phenomena.
February 6 will be dedicated to schools, with the INGV President and USR Sicily Vice Director welcoming students for discussions on climate change, the Mediterranean, and the role of science in explaining natural phenomena. The day will wrap up with awards for the 'Il Pianeta Terra. Ora!' contest, encouraging environmental awareness among secondary school students.
Throughout the event, visitors can explore the photographic exhibition 'La terra dei poveri cristi. Il terremoto del 1968 nel Belice,' organized by the INGV and the Academy of Fine Arts of Palermo, along with the permanent exhibit of the Ecomuseo Mare Memoria Viva. To commemorate the anniversary, Poste Italiane will provide a special postal cancellation celebrating 25 years of INGV's service.
The event is free to the public until capacity is reached and will also be available for streaming on the INGV Events YouTube channel. Interested educators can register for the afternoon seminars through the SOFIA platform, using course code 97371.
The INGV has requested support from local schools to facilitate participation, showcasing the institute's desire to bolster its historic ties to the region and heighten public awareness about geosciences.