Institute: Seismological Research Centre (CRS), National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS)
Title: Director, Professor
Country/Region: Italy
Period: 2026/11/01 - 2026/11/20
Theme: Decoding Earth's Signals: Unveiling the Physical Processes Behind Large Earthquake Preparation - DECODE
Host: Hiroshi TSURUOKA
Introduction: Matteo Picozzi is a seismologist and Director of the Seismological Research Centre at the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS), Italy. He is also an Associate Professor at the University of Naples Federico II. He received his PhD in Earth Sciences from the University of Siena in 2005 and previously worked at the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) in Potsdam.
His research focuses on earthquake physics, seismic monitoring, earthquake source processes, ground-motion variability, and the evolution of active fault systems. In recent years, his work has increasingly addressed the preparatory processes of large earthquakes, investigating how small earthquakes and their source properties can provide insights into changes in stress, energy release, and the mechanical state of the Earth's crust. His studies have examined major seismic sequences in Italy and Türkiye, as well as the long-term evolution of seismicity in the southeastern Alps.
His current scientific interests focus on developing a more comprehensive physical understanding of earthquake preparation, moving beyond the identification of individual precursory signals toward investigating how fault systems progressively evolve toward instability. His research combines high-resolution seismic observations, earthquake source characterization, geodetic measurements, distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), and advanced data-analysis approaches, including machine learning.
During his visit to the Earthquake Research Institute (ERI) at the University of Tokyo, hosted by Prof. Hiroshi Tsuruoka, he will pursue the research project “Decoding Earth's Signals: Unveiling the Physical Processes Behind Large Earthquake Preparation (DECODE).” The project aims to investigate earthquake preparatory processes in Japan and Italy by integrating seismic, geodetic, and geological observations through advanced data-analysis and artificial intelligence techniques. Particular attention will be devoted to identifying changes in fault-system behaviour and evaluating potential preparatory patterns in historical earthquake sequences. The visit will also provide an opportunity to strengthen scientific cooperation between ERI and OGS and to explore long-term collaborative research initiatives.

Fiscal Year: 2025