Research, knowledge and dissemination for the prevention of geological risks and the valorization of geological heritage

This PhD project combines scientific research, natural hazard analysis, and public outreach with the aim of improving prevention and community awareness of geological risks in the Marche Region (Central Italy). The work is structured into two main sections: the first focusing on geomorphological and hydraulic hazards, and the second on geological resources and geo-cultural heritage. A central role is played by the study of the 15 September 2022 flood, an extreme event that enabled extensive field surveys, geomorphological and hydraulic assessments, and numerical modelling. Through an official collaboration with the Marche Regional Administration, the research produced around thirty technical reports designed to support risk-mitigation planning, alongside thematic maps, drone-based surveys, LiDAR acquisitions, and satellite-derived analyses. Additional investigations addressed other vulnerable contexts of the region, including debris-flow hazard in the Sibillini Mountains, landslide susceptibility related to the 2018 Vaia storm, and large earthquake-induced landslides along thrust fronts. The second part of the thesis concentrates on the geological and speleological heritage of the Frasassi Caves, enhanced through research, outreach activities, and institutional cooperation. Particularly significant is the geoarchaeological investigation of the Grotta dei Baffoni, carried out through geophysical surveys and a multidisciplinary excavation campaign that deepened the understanding of the site's geological history and human frequentation. A strong emphasis on communication characterises the entire project: public conferences, school activities, field excursions, media interviews, participation in national and international events, and the development of educational materials all contributed to transforming scientific knowledge into a practical tool for risk reduction. This thesis demonstrates that the role of the modern geologist increasingly requires integrating technical competence with effective communication skills, placing scientific expertise at the service of communities to mitigate natural hazards and promote the value of the territory.