We are excited to invite you to the Third INGV–BSL Workshop on Solid Earth Geophysics, which will take place in Rome from May 11–13, 2026. This annual workshop is part of the activities supported by the Memorandum of Understanding between INGV and the Berkeley Seismology Lab (BSL).
The workshop will be held at Sala Baldini (https://www.turismoroma.it/it/luoghi/sala-baldini), with scientific sessions running from May 11–13. On May 14, we will have a field trip in the Central Apennines, departing the afternoon of May 13. To kick things off, we’ll host a welcome icebreaker on the afternoon/evening of Sunday, May 10, in the Sala Baldini garden, featuring a casual aperitif and dinner for all participants.
As in previous workshops, the scientific sessions will offer plenty of time for discussion. This year’s program builds naturally on past workshops while introducing new topics to broaden participation.
Some sessions will continue exploring themes from previous workshops, such as the links between deformation and active faults, fault mechanics and the role of fluids, seismicity patterns, and foreshocks, with a focus on the Apennines and California (though other regions of interest are welcome). Two sessions will focus on new topics: Volcano-Tectonic Systems, and Earthquake Early Warning (EEW).
We will also host one poster sessions covering the scientific session topics, though contributions on broader Solid Earth Geophysics subjects are warmly welcome. The workshop is a great opportunity to share ideas, spark discussions, and foster collaborations between INGV and BSL colleagues.
Please save the dates May 10–14, 2026
We look forward to seeing you in Rome!
Scientific Program of the Workshop
Session 1. Volcano-Tectonic Systems (May 11, 2026) Conveners Roland Bürgmann and Raffaele Azzaro
Abstract of talks and posters
This session invites presentations on studies of natural laboratories in volcanic areas, such as the complex caldera dynamics of Campi Flegrei and Long Valley and the active magmatism, deformation and seismicity of Mount Etna and Kilauea. By integrating diverse geophysical investigations—from micro-seismicity and high-resolution seismic imaging to multi-sensor geodetic monitoring and physics-based modeling—the session aims to provide a comprehensive view of subsurface processes. We encourage an interdisciplinary approach that crosses between laboratory simulations and natural observations, specifically targeting the interplay between magma transport, active faulting, and surface deformation. We seek to better characterize the evolving states of volcanic unrest and the fundamental mechanisms governing magma-fault interactions across different volcano-tectonic systems.
Session 2. 3-D distribution of the deformation: strain localization and faulting across deforming regions (May 11, 2026) Conveners Taka’aki Taira and Pierfrancesco Burrato
Abstract of talks and posters
This session explores the multi-scale, 3-D distribution of crustal deformation, focusing on the mechanisms governing strain localization and faulting in complex tectonic settings. By bridging the gap between deep-seated geodynamic processes and surface expressions of faulting, we invite contributions that utilize diverse methodologies—from space geodesy and seismology to structural geology through field observations and laboratory experiments, paleoseismology and numerical modeling of paleogeodetic markers.
The discussion will emphasize comparative studies, but will not be limited to, between two of the world’s best-instrumented natural laboratories: the Central Apennines in Italy and the San Andreas fault system in California. These regions provide unique opportunities to investigate how crustal heterogeneity, fluid migration, and structural inheritance influence the transition from distributed strain to localized failure. In the framework of the INGV-BSL Memorandum of Understanding, we encourage submissions that integrate multidisciplinary data to improve our 3-D understanding of active tectonics, earthquake physics, and the evolution of fault systems across deforming plate boundaries as well as different space-time scales.
Session 3. Precursors to failure and transient phenomena during the seismic cycle (May 12, 2026) Conveners Chris Marone and Elena Spagnuolo
Abstract of talks and posters
We invite presentations on a broad range of topics related to the transient phenomena and precursory events preceding failure. Such phenomena, for example changes in b-value or the occurrence of slow slip prior to failure, have been known for 50+ years but remain poorly understood. We encourage input from lab results related to precursory changes in elastic wave speed and from other areas including field studies and theory. One goal would be to foster better connections with rapidly expanding interest in the use of AI to identify and interpret precursory changes prior to earthquake-like failure and post-seismic changes related to frictional healing and crack closure.
Session 4. Observational and numerical constraints to dynamic rupture propagation (May 12, 2026) Conveners Weiqiang Zhu and Massimo Cocco
Abstract of talks and posters
This session is dedicated to discussing recent advances in modeling and interpreting dynamic rupture propagation during earthquakes, while also addressing open questions and conflicting evidence arising from both the complexity of seismogenic processes and the paucity of experimental data. Particular interest is given to nucleation and the initial stages of dynamic propagation. Contributions from observations during natural and laboratory earthquakes are welcome. Interest extends to the dynamics of microearthquakes and to contributions aimed at discussing the differences between the physical and chemical processes that cause small and large earthquakes. Studies on natural and anthropogenic earthquakes are encouraged.
Session 5. Real-time earthquake characterization and early warning (May 13, 2026) Conveners Richard Allen and Aldo Zollo
Abstract of talks and posters
Implementation of earthquake early warning systems around the globe is motivating the deployment of denser geophysical observation systems and the exploration of new sensor networks including low-cost sensors, smartphones, fiber optic cables, strainmeters and geodetic instrumentation. In this session we will review new approaches to rapid earthquake detection, and other hazard reduction strategies that leverage these new sensor networks.