The Mediterranean Sea has officially welcomed its deepest seismometer, now operational at a staggering depth of 3,443 meters in the Ionian Sea, approximately 90 kilometers southeast of the Sicilian coast. Installed in October 2024, this advanced instrument is part of the seismic surveillance network managed by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (Ingv) and is connected to the European Integrated Data Archive (Eida).
Strategically positioned beside the largest underwater neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean, known as KM3NeT, this seismometer plays a crucial role in monitoring seismic activity. The KM3NeT project involves over 360 researchers and technicians from 21 countries, including Italy, and aims to enhance our understanding of the ocean's depths.
The newly activated station transmits real-time data encompassing acoustic, seismic, and chemical-physical information about the marine environment. Its capabilities allow it to detect both nearby earthquakes and distant seismic events. Notably, it successfully registered the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, despite the epicenter being over 7,500 kilometers away.
This innovative station is expected to provide vital information for analyzing earthquakes in the region, particularly those like the significant seismic event that occurred off the coast of Syracuse in 1990. Furthermore, it will soon be integrated into the Ingv Tsunami Warning Center, significantly improving the response capacity for potential tsunamis originating from the Ionian Sea or surrounding areas.
The Mhppl seismic station represents a remarkable extension of Italy's national seismic monitoring network toward the Ionian Sea. Its installation marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance our understanding of seismicity in this area, particularly related to the Ibleo-Maltese escarpment and the Strait of Messina.
Equipped with a high-sensitivity seismic sensor, the station was developed as part of the Idmar research project, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (PO-Fesr 2014/2020). This collaborative initiative involved a multidisciplinary team of researchers from various institutions, including the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (Infn) and Ingv in Palermo.
To create this sophisticated scientific observatory, researchers installed sensors capable of measuring water conductivity, temperature, and the pressure of the overlying water column. Additionally, the station features a hydrophone designed to study low-frequency sound waves and a highly sensitive marine seismometer.
The station, which is registered with the International Federation of Digital Seismic Networks (Fdsn) under the code Mhppl (Marine Hazard Portopalo), provides a crucial tool for monitoring seismic events in the Mediterranean. Its ability to detect both nearby and distant earthquakes will enhance the overall understanding of seismic activity in the region.
As the Mediterranean region continues to experience seismic activity, this new seismometer is poised to play a vital role in advancing earthquake research and improving public safety measures. The integration of this advanced technology into the existing monitoring systems will not only enhance data collection but also provide valuable insights into the dynamics of the Earth's crust beneath the Mediterranean Sea.
In summary, the activation of the deepest seismometer in the Mediterranean signals a significant advancement in the monitoring of seismic activity in the region. With its strategic location, advanced technology, and integration into international research efforts, this station is set to provide crucial data for understanding earthquakes and enhancing the preparedness for potential tsunamis.
