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Giuliano F. Panza
Name: Giuliano F. Panza
Title: Head of the Structure and Non-Linear Dynamics of the Earth (SAND) Group
Office:
 Department of Geosciences, University of Trieste, Via E. Weiss 4, Trieste 34127, Italy
Phone:
 +39 040 558 2117
E-mail:
 panza@units.it
URL:
 http://www.ictp.it/~sand/cvpanza.html

Education:

Doctor in Physics

Research interests:

Within the framework of a very large international co-operation, G.F. Panza formulated a revolutionary model for the lithosphere-asthenosphere system in the European area and proposed the existence of almost aseismic lithospheric roots. At present, the lithosphere subduction at continent-continent collisions is a widely accepted concept within the community of Earth scientists, even if it contradicts one of the basic dogmas of the original formulation of plate tectonics. At a global scale, again within the framework of a very large international co-operation, he has recently proposed a model of plate tectonics in which the classic mantle convection engine is substantially complemented and polarized by the steady-state torque provided by the tidal bulge misalignment. The "tectonic equator" (TE) is the ideal line along which plates move over the Earth's surface with the fastest mean angular velocity toward the west relative to the mantle. The rotation axis of such a great circle is inclined around 30° with respect to the Earth's rotation axis. Along a path (TE-pert) slightly perturbed with respect to the "tectonic equator" (TE) an ubiquitous low velocity asthenosphere has been detected, capable of partly decoupling drifting lithosphere from underlying mantle. This finding combined with the generalized asymmetry across oceanic ridges strongly supports a westward mantle flow that significantly contributes to plates motion.
The construction of complete synthetic seismograms to be used for realistic three-dimensional Earth modeling represents another main contribution to Seismology. The application of such algorithms to experimental data interpretation has allowed to unravel some of the aspects of the rupture process which is associated with an earthquake and has contributed to a more realistic description of seismic sources. Three-dimensional modeling of the Earth has allowed to show that melting of the continental subducted Adriatic-Ionian (African) lithosphere represents an efficient mean for carbon cycling into the upper mantle and into the exosphere. The tentative estimation of flux of cycled CO2 degassing from the low velocity wedge beneath the Western Mediterranean leads to a conservative estimated of the lithosphere-asthenosphere CO2 flux of about 70 Mt/year, which exceeds yearly CO2 degassing in Italy. Another recent application of seismic motion modelling concerns the realistic and reliable seismic micozonation of some megacities and large towns, in the framework of several UNESCO/IUGS/IGCP projects, centered at ICTP.
Last but not least he has given original contributions to the study of statistical aspects of seismicity both on global and regional scale, to intermediate-term medium-range earthquake prediction algorithms, morphostructural zonation and active deformation studies in Italy.

Biography:

Giuliano Panza was schooled at the University of Bologna in Physics, and then appointed to the faculty of the University of Bari in the Geodesy and Geophysics Institute. He won a Fulbright scholarship to UCLA in 1969. His scientific activity led to an invitation to a chair in seismology at University of Trieste (UTS) in 1980.
At UTS, he was the Director of the Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics for 6 years, Chairman degree course in Geology and Member of the Board of Governors. He is Consultant and Head of the SAND Group at the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP).
He has been Vice-President of the European Union of Geosciences.
He is Fellow of Accademia Nazionale Lincei, of Academia Europaea, Associate Fellow of the Third World Academy of Sciences, Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Fellow of Accademia Nazionale dei XL, Onorary Fellow Fondazione Internazionale Trieste per il progresso e la liberta delle scienze, 2004.
He serves as Managing Editor in Geophysics of Earth Sciences Review and Co-Editor of Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, and he edited several textbooks on earthquakes, geology and computers, among other topics.
He received, in 2000, the Beno Gutenberg medal from the European Geophysical Society for outstanding contributions to Seismology: within the framework of a very large international co-operation, he formulated a quite revolutionary model for the lithosphere-asthenosphere system in the European area proposing the existence of almost aseismic lithospheric roots. In 2002 he has been awarded the title Doctor Honoris Causa in Physics from University of Bucharest. He received, 2004, the CEI medal of honor for eminent services to the organization and the demonstrated highly qualified scientific work performed by the Earth sciences committee of the Central European Initiative (CEI) and in 2005 has been nominated honorary professor at the Institute of Geophysics, China Earthquake Administration.
He served as:

  • 1982-1986 Council Member of European Geophysical Society
  • 1983-1993 Council Member of European Union of Geosciences
  • 1984-1996 Member of several Commissions of the International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth's Interior.
  • 1991-1996 Chairman of the ILP Task group II-4 Three-dimensional modelling of the Earth's tectosphere.
  • 1991- President of the Earth Sciences Committee of the Central European Initiative and consultant ESF.
  • 1996- Coordinator of UNESCO-IUGS-IGCP Projects on seismic hazard.
  • 2000-2001 Member of the International experts panel for the antiseismic Building code of Morocco.
  • 2000- External expert for IAEA under Technical Cooperation Program.
  • 2001-2008 Chairman of EGU Beno Gutenberg medal Committee.
  • 2009-Board of Directors Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e Geofisica Sperimentale.

Collaborations:

Principal research projects developed or ongoing at ICTP-SAND group:
Three-Dimensional Modelling of the Earth's Tectosphere of the Inter-Union (IUGG- IUGS) Commission on the Lithosphere/International Lithosphere Program.
Quantitative seismic zoning of the Circum Pannonian Region (QSEZ-CIPAR), European Union Project - EC COPERNICUS.
Realistic Modelling of Seismic Input for Megacities and Large Urban Areas (IUGS-UNESCO-IGCP Project 414).
Impact of Vrancea Earthquakes on the Security of Bucharest and other Adjacent Urban Areas (Ground Motion Modelling and Intermediate-Term Prediction) - NATO SfP - IVESB.
Advanced methods for assessing the seismic vulnerability of existing motorway bridges - "VAB" European Union Project.
Seismic Hazard and Risk Assessment in North Africa (SHRANA), UNESCO-IUGS-IGCP Project 457.
Seismic microzoning of Latin America cities, UNESCO-IUGS-IGCP Project 487.
Alpine Integrated GPS Network: Real-Time Monitoring and Master Model for Continental Deformation and Earthquake Hazard, European Union Project - Interreg III-B.
MAR VASTO Project - "Risk Management in Valparaiso/Manejo de Riesgos en Valparaiso" in which the major hazards affecting the city have been assessed.
Friuli Venezia Giulia Region: Development of innovative approaches for the modeling of the Earth structure and the seismic sources aimed at the definition of time-dependent seismic input by means of intermediate-term middle-range earthquake prediction in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.
Developpement et Integration de Scenarios de Carte d'Alea Sismique Deterministe, Mouvements forts et Tsunamis - MAE Great Relevance bilateral project between Italy-Algeria.
Neodeterministic seismic hazard assessment in Indian Megacities - MAE bilateral project between Italy-India.
Advanced seismic microzoning for mega cities (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh cities) in Vietnem - MAE bilateral project between Italy - Vietnam.
ASI-SISMA Pilot Project - "Information System for Monitoring and Alert". Development of a fully formalized system, based on the neo-deterministic approach for the estimation of seismic ground motion, integrating the space and time dependent information provided by CN and M8S real-time monitoring of seismic flow and Earth Observation data (GPS, SAR) analysis, through geophysical forward modeling.
PNRA Project - "Structure of the lithosphere and geodynamics in the Scotia Sea Region".






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