Losses due to strong seismic events can amount to millions or billions of US dollars and can affect regions for large periods of time, even severely undermining the economy. Earthquake early warning systems have proven to be helpful tools to mitigate the social and economic impact on communities and businesses. Recent case studies are briefly described, followed by examples of proactive measures for assets, infrastructure, citizens education and empowerment, complementary to earthquake early warning systems.

This study focuses on slope stability and geological hazard analyses at the Italian Paleolithic site of Grotta Paglicci. The site is characterized by a cave that contains rich archaeological and anthropological finds, spanning various Paleolithic periods, and includes faunal remains, lithic artifacts, human burials, ornaments, mobiliary art objects, and unique Paleolithic wall paintings. The study employs a multi-technique approach that includes topographic surveys carried out by the robotic total station and GNSS receivers, photogrammetric acquisitions with an unmanned aerial system, 3D SLAM-based LiDAR mapping, and an engineering geological survey. The collected data allowed for the creation of georeferenced 3D models that were utilized in rock slope stability analysis and modeling. The results of this comprehensive survey highlighted how the bedding and joint discontinuities influence rock stability in both the external and internal areas of the cave. The integrated use of SLAM-based LiDAR and photogrammetry has been proven to be an efficient and essential tool in the evaluation of the structural interactions between the external morphology and the cave, thus allowing the proposal of safety measures that will keep the site accessible for future activities.

This paper describes scientific research conducted to highlight the potential of an integrated GPR-UAV system in engineering-geological applications. The analysis focused on the stability of a natural scree slope in the Germanasca Valley, in the western Italian Alps. As a consequence of its steep shape and the related geological hazard, the study used different remote sensed methodologies such as UAV photogrammetry and geophysics survey by a GPR-drone integrated system. Furthermore, conventional in-situ surveys led to the collection of geological and geomorphological data. The use of the UAV-mounted GPR allowed us to investigate the bedrock depth under the detrital slope deposit, using a non-invasive technique able to conduct surveys on inaccessible areas prone to hazardous conditions for operators. The collected evidence and the results of the analysis highlighted the stability of the slope with Factors of Safety, verified in static conditions (i.e., natural static condition and static condition with snow cover), slightly above the stability limit value of 1. On the contrary, the dynamic loading conditions (i.e., seismic action applied) showed a Factor of Safety below the stability limit value. The UAV-mounted GPR represented an essential contribution to the surveys allowing the definition of the interface debris deposit-bedrock, which are useful to design the slope model and to evaluate the scree slope stability in different conditions.

Rockfall phenomena are considered highly dangerous due to their rapid evolution and difficult prediction without applying preventive monitoring and mitigation actions. This research investigates a hazardous site in the Municipality of Vecchiano (Province of Pisa, Italy), characterized by vertical rock walls prone to instability due to heavy fracturing and karst phenomena. The presence of anthropical structures and a public road at the bottom of the slopes increases the vulnerability of the site and the site’s risk. To create a comprehensive geological model of the area, Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) photogrammetric surveys were conducted to create a 3D model useful in photointerpretation. In accessible and safe areas for personnel, engineering–geological surveys were carried out to characterize the rock mass and to define the portion of rock walls to be monitored. Results from nine multitemporal Robotic Total Station (RTS) measurement campaigns show that no monitoring prisms recorded significant displacement trends, both on the horizontal and vertical plane and in differential slope distance. Additionally, satellite Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) analysis indicates that the slopes were stable over the two years of study. The integration of these analysis techniques has proven to be an efficient solution for assessing slope stability in this specific rockfall-prone area.

The present research illustrates the application of a methodological approach to studying the stress–strain distribution in a marble quarry of the Apuan Alps mining area (Italy). This study has been carried out in the framework of a project involving the University of Siena and the UOC Ingegneria Mineraria—USL Toscana Nord-Ovest, Tuscany Region. This stress–strain analysis aims foremost to monitor the slope stability conditions to guarantee a safe workplace for the personnel involved in mining activities, and to enable more sustainable long-term planning for excavation and production. The involved survey activities are as follows: (i) terrestrial laser scanning; (ii) engineering–geological data mapping; and (iii) in situ marble stress measuring through four CSIRO-type cell tests executed in different locations and at various depths within the underground excavation walls. The gathered data converged into numerical models of the quarry, both in 2D (DEM) and 3D (FEM), calibrated by in situ stress results through a rigorous back analysis assessment using least squares procedures. The created models represent a valuable tool for the identification and securing of risk areas and for future excavation planning in respect of the site efficiency and safety.