The 'Siren' that probes the seabed at depths of up to 3,000 metres arrives

Here comes the 'Siren' that probes the seabed at a depth of 3,000 metres. It is called the AUV Hugin and is an autonomous underwater vehicle to observe, among other things, submerged volcanoes and anticipate risks. Developed as part of the Pnrr Mer the AUV Hugin (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) and just tested by Ispra in the Gulf of Naples and Ischia, it is able to operate autonomously even in complex environments, collecting data and images at very high resolution.

"Detailed mapping of the seabed using advanced acoustic and optical systems, capable of providing images and information on the structure of the sediments and any anomalies present," emphasise Ispra. The operations included bathymetric and morphological surveys, the acquisition of geophysical and environmental data, and the transfer and storage of information on Ispra's on-board systems and cloud infrastructure.

"The activity represents an important step forward in the use of autonomous technologies to monitor the seabed and acquire very high-resolution data, aimed at the morphological, geological and environmental characterisation of the deep sea," emphasises Maria Alessandra Gallone, president of Ispra and Snpa. "The Gulf of Naples is one of the most complex and sensitive contexts in the Mediterranean Sea, and continuous monitoring is therefore essential to understand the evolution of natural processes and help reduce potential risks to the population and marine ecosystems. And in this scenario, the testing of the AUV Hugin in the Gulf of Naples and in the Ischia area "represents a concrete and strategic step in the strengthening of our country's scientific and technological capabilities for the knowledge and protection of the marine environment". Cutting-edge instruments that, as the president emphasises, "make it possible not only to acquire fundamental data for research, but also to develop increasingly accurate forecasting models, making a decisive contribution to the prevention of natural hazards and the safety of coastal communities".

For Giordano Giorgi, director of the Ispra National Coastal Centre and coordinator of the Pnrr Mer project, "the use of autonomous technologies such as the Hugin Auv represents a strategic resource for the study of the seabed and the protection of highly vulnerable areas. A technological 'siren' that listens to the seabed, interprets the signals coming in particular from submerged volcanoes, and transforms data into scientific knowledge, at the service of territorial safety and the protection of marine ecosystems, is something absolutely innovative that radically expands our ability to monitor and investigate the seabed". However, that is not all. The project coordinator also highlights another aspect: "During the campaign, including along the south-western coast of the island of Ischia, fundamental environmental parameters were acquired, including temperature, salinity, and concentrations of gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, useful elements for assessing the environmental state and geological characteristics to identify possible underwater gas emissions.