A step forward for the geological cartography of Italy project
The Budget Law n.160 of 27 December 2019 "has assigned to the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) a contribution of 5 million euro per year for the period 2019-2022, for the completion of the Geological Map of Italy at 1:50,000 scale, including for its digilatisation and other instrumental activities ".
20 years have passed since the national geological cartography was last financed, creating a gap that can now be partially filled out: only 44% of the national territory is so far covered.
Even if the amount allocated represents only a partial contribution to the realization of the geological cartography of Italy, it will make it possible to continue the production of geological cartography and also to provide areas of the country currently without official geological cartography, a basic tool for the physical knowledge of the territory, preparatory for any action of assessment, prevention and mitigation of natural risks and a fundamental prerequisite for any intervention aimed at protecting the soil, territorial planning and the design of works and infrastructures. Geological maps are also an essential tool for the management of emergency and post-emergency activities related to natural catastrophic events.
The large amount of data collected for its realization will be made available to citizens in digital form through the portal of the Department for the Geological Service of Italy, as well as in the more traditional paper format. Ensuring wide access to these data, according to standards defined at national level, and in accordance with European policies of traceability, accessibility, interoperability and reuse, represents a fundamental action for the diffusion of a wider culture of knowledge and attention to territories.
