The Einstein Telescope (ET) is a proposed next-generation, underground gravitational-wave detector to be based in Europe. It will provide about an order of magnitude sensitivity increase with respect to the currently operating detectors and, also extend the observation band targeting frequencies as low as 3 Hz. One of the first decisions that needs to be made is about the future ET site following an in-depth site characterization. Site evaluation and selection is a complicated process, which takes into account science, financial, political, and socio-economic criteria. In this paper, we provide an overview of the site-selection criteria for ET, provide a formalism to evaluate the direct impact of environmental noise on ET sensitivity, and outline the necessary elements of a site-characterization campaign.

In this paper, we present a geological structural map (1:100,000 scale, ∼2300 km² surface area) of the Variscan basement of northern Sardinia. The map integrates field structural analysis, extensive gamma-ray spectrometry, and high-resolution ELA-ICP-MS U/Th-Pb zircon and monazite dating. A set of 10 samples of granitic rocks collected from different plutons were characterized for their crystallization age. This provided an accurate timing of magmatic events related to the development of the Corsica-Sardinia Batholith. The structural map, complemented with geochronological results represents a benchmark for future studies on Variscan geodynamics.

This paper presents the geological, structural and metallogenic map of the Arbus Pluton, a late Variscan composite intrusion belonging to the Corsica-Sardinia Batholith. The pluton is surrounded and crosscut by a wide variety of vein ore deposits. The Arbus Pluton was emplaced at shallow crustal levels at the end of the Variscan Orogeny, along an E–W trending shear zone located in the low-grade external nappe pile of the Sardinian basement. The architecture of the pluton is roughly concentric with a core of cordierite-bearing leucogranites and an outer shell composed of pyroxene-bearing and hornblende granodiorites. New U/Pb dating on zircons of granodiorite yields an emplacement age of 303.7 ± 1.1 which improves previous Rb/Sr and Ar/Ar dating. The map has been compiled on the basis of new geological/structural surveys and petrographical studies coupled with in situ gamma ray spectrometry. All the data-sets have been processed using a geographical information system.