Prevention, awareness and protection: the role of CGIAM in Basilicata

The Centre for Integrated Geomorphology of the Mediterranean Area (CGIAM) is a non-profit scientific research body governed by public law, whose mission is to promote environmental protection, public health and safety, and the reduction of natural hazards through measures to protect, safeguard and strengthen the knowledge base, as well as through the analysis and study of issues relating to the environment and civil protection. Established in 1979, it is the body appointed by the Italian State to develop innovative scientific methodologies for the analysis and mitigation of environmental risk factors (Law No. 311/2004, as amended); it is registered with the ANR of the MUR; and it is the Centre of Excellence for the Basilicata Region in the field of civil protection.
Alongside its scientific and research activities, the Centre is involved in the conservation, protection and promotion of its bibliographic, archival and instrumental heritage, as well as the enhancement of cultural heritage; these activities are carried out through the Centre’s two sections: the ‘Maurizio Leggeri’ Library and the ‘Emilio Colombo’ Centre for International Studies. Over the years, CGIAM has developed synergies with universities, research bodies, institutions and organisations, public and private enterprises, and educational establishments active at local, regional, national and international levels.
The Irpinia earthquake of November 1980 claimed 150 lives in Basilicata and led to the destruction of homes, buildings and entire historic centres, but it laid the foundations for the establishment of the national civil protection service. At the same time, during the years of post-earthquake reconstruction, CGIAM established the first seismometer network in Basilicata, finally integrating the region into the national seismic network. This project is now taking on renewed significance in the light of the latest earthquake to strike the regional capital (March 2025). CGIAM is currently implementing a research project aimed at updating the original seismometer network and upgrading its technology in order to establish the Urban Seismic Observatory (OSU) in Potenza (a pioneering initiative in Italy, which will be one of the few operational OSUs following those in Catania and Campi Flegrei).