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GIS and Digital Cartography Laboratory – Pisa

The GIS and digital cartography laboratory is housed in the IGG headquarters in the Pisa Research Area

The Laboratory

Geographic information systems (GIS) play a key role in disciplines, particularly Earth Sciences, that rely heavily on the location, geometry, and attributes of spatially referenced objects.
Organized in a GIS, spatial data of any nature (geological, geomorphological, hydrogeological, geochemical-environmental, geothermal, etc., as well as administrative, urban planning, social, etc.) and origin (acquired, digitized, surveyed on the ground or remotely) can be analyzed and interconnected using spatial analysis tools, extracting new derived knowledge and enabling verification of their coherence and consistency, both geographical (topological) and informational.

New territorial information, both quantitative and qualitative, is also obtained through the analysis and processing of images and remote sensing data, derived from specific sensors placed on airplanes, satellites, drones, and probes, which allow the identification, classification, and monitoring of objects (and phenomena) located on the Earth's surface and in the atmosphere by measuring the electromagnetic radiation they reflect and/or emit.

The ability to organize georeferenced territorial data into overlapping thematic layers makes GIS systems fundamental not only for archiving, managing, analyzing, and processing available information but also for visualizing and representing it in cartography, an essential tool for summarizing and framing observed natural systems and their manifestations.

Representation of the conceptual model of the water circulation of the Follonica plain aquifer system
Geomorphological map of the Roccamurata (PR) area, created as part of a study on landslide conditions in unstable towns in the Emilia-Romagna region.

Instruments

The LabGIS equipment consists of four workstations, a NAS file server for project data distribution, two HP Designjet large-format printers, a Canon A0+ scanner, and a Carl Zeiss optical stereoscope. In addition to the main open-source applications (QGIS, SNAP, SagaGIS, GRASS, BlenderGIS, etc.), the software suite includes numerous proprietary licenses (ESRI ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Desktop, Avenza MAPublisher, ENVI, Aquaveo GMS, Arc Hydro Groundwater Tools, etc.).

A workstation is available to both Institute staff and interns and project partners; there is also a large table (250 x 150 cm) for drawing and consulting maps.

Using the plotters and scanners provided, the GIS Laboratory provides its staff with a large-format printing and scanning service.

Staff and Contacts

Staff:
Dr. Giulio Masetti (Laboratory Manager)

Dott. Giuseppe Cosentino

Phone:

+39 050 6213275 (Dr. Giulio Masetti)

+39 050 6212596 (Dr. Giuseppe Cosentino)


E-mail:

giulio.masetti@cnr.it

giuseppe.cosentino@cnr.it

Methods and Applications

LabGIS operates in the field of geological, geomorphological, hydrogeological and environmental geochemical studies aimed at the characterization, enhancement, and protection of natural resources, the assessment of vulnerability to climate change, and the evaluation of geological and seismic hazards through the development of geodatabases, geothematic cartography, and 3D geological models. In these contexts, activities and related methodologies include:

  • acquisition, interpretation, management, and GIS processing of georeferenced territorial data, both surface and subsurface; spatial and geostatistical analysis; implementation of 3D “solid” geological and hydrostructural models as a basis for the development of numerical and flow modeling;
  • analysis of meteorological and climatic time series and development of iterative routines and tools in Python for the reconstruction, at the basin scale, of historical daily precipitation and temperature series, also within the framework of predictive model implementation;
  • analysis and processing of remote sensing images and data, including multispectral, multiresolution, and multiplatform datasets: correction and orthorectification; object-oriented classification techniques; multitemporal series analysis; change detection; morphometric analysis of elevation models and definition of slope morphological parameters; analysis and interpretation of stereopairs;
  • design, implementation, population, and distribution of interoperable databases: geodatabase design; definition of logical, physical, and conceptual models and topological relationships; management of Open Data and creation of metadata compliant with the RNTD and INSPIRE Directives and FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable); Web Mapping: implementation of web services (WMS, WFS, WCS) through Open Source platforms (GeoServer, MapServer);
  • design and development of open-source plugins for the QGIS environment dedicated to the management and processing of geological-structural, hydrological, and geotechnical data aimed at seismic microzonation and slope stability and seismic risk assessments;
  • preparation, digitization, and production of geothematic and seismic microzonation maps: raster data digitization and georeferencing; map editing; implementation of symbol libraries and definition of styles in accordance with cartographic and editorial specifications.
3D "solid" reconstruction of the multilayered aquifer system of the Cornia plain (LI), performed through the analysis and correlation of stratigraphic data (a) in hydrostructural sections (b) and the definition of the geometries and volumes of the main aquifer horizons and aquitards/aquicludes (c). Each horizon corresponds to a geovolume (d), developed according to prisms placed between the roof and bed surfaces.
Grid representation of the bed (a) and roof (b) surfaces and of the thickness (c) of a solid-reconstructed aquifer horizon
Morphological and morphometric parameters derived from an ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM, 30m) scene: relative illumination (left), steepness (center) and relief shapes (Topographic Position Index, right)
Composite images resulting from different combinations of bands and processing of a LANDSAT 8 scene relating to the Marsabit region, Kenya: (left) natural colours (432); (centre) false colour representation (652, converted to the HSV colour model), highlighting in red the lava flows and other basaltic rocks; (right) IHS (Intensity/Hue/Saturation) fusion of the image, highlighting in red what appear to be the products of more recent volcanic activity.
Geological-geomorphological map of the Torrio (PC) area, created as part of a study on landslide conditions in unstable towns in the Emilia-Romagna region.

Scientific Projects and Interests

Project:
LabGIS operates primarily within projects aimed at improving the understanding, enhancement, and protection of land and natural resources through the management, analysis, interpretation, and processing of geographic data—both surface and subsurface—as well as through the design and development of geodatabases, geological models, and geological and geothematic cartography. Selected projects include:

  • 2025: Geological and geomorphological investigations within the San Pellegrino concession area (BG) (Sanpellegrino S.p.A.)
  • 2026: UNIT GEOPARKS – Classification, interpretation, and enhancement of geological sites for educational and tourism purposes, and for the sustainable management of the Apuan Alps Regional Park, including the production of supporting thematic cartography (INTERREG MARITTIMO 2021–2027)
  • 2025: CAVESTOUR – Strategies for promoting the sustainable management of tourist caves in the cross-border area (Apuan Alps Regional Park, INTERREG MARITTIMO 2021–2027)
  • 2024: Update of Level 3 seismic microzonation studies for the municipalities of the Etna area (Scientific cooperation agreement between CNR IGG and CNR IGAG within activities supporting the Civil Protection Department of the Sicily Region)
  • 2023: Official Geological Map of Italy at 1:50,000 scale (CARG Project): development of the geodatabase and preparation for publication of Sheet No. 274 “Empoli” (Geological Survey of Italy, ISPRA)
  • 2023: Update of Level 2 seismic microzonation (MS) studies for selected areas of municipalities identified by the Umbria Region (Scientific cooperation agreement between CNR IGG and CNR IGAG)
  • 2022: Stratigraphic, hydrogeochemical, and isotopic study of groundwater and surface water monitored within the network of the landfill site “Il Fossetto” (Monsummano Terme, PT)
  • 2022: Update of seismic microzonation for municipalities included in the Extraordinary Commissioner Decree for the 2016 earthquake (No. 391 of September 8, 2021) (FAC Central Italy Project – Scientific cooperation agreement between CNR IGG and CNR IGAG)
  • 2022: Official Geological Map of Italy at 1:50,000 scale (CARG Project): development of geodatabases and preparation for publication of Sheets No. 277 “Bibbiena”, 288 “Arezzo”, and 320 “Castel del Piano” (Geological Survey of Italy, ISPRA).
  • 2021: Development of the MzS Tools plugin for QGIS for the management of geodatabases and seismic microzonation maps (Project carried out with CNR-IGAG)
  • 2020: Integrated geological investigations in the “Palina” mining concession area and surrounding zones (Sanpellegrino S.p.A.)
  • 2020: Conceptual and numerical modeling of the “Panna” aquifer system (Sanpellegrino S.p.A.)
  • 2020: IDROBRENTA – Study and modeling of the aquifer system of the upper Brenta River plain (Brenta Basin Authority)
  • 2020: Preparation of the manual for the production of seismic microzonation cartography in accordance with the standards for representation and digital data management, including the development of standardized symbology (for QGIS and Adobe Illustrator) (project carried out in collaboration with CNR-IGAG).
  • 2019: ASTERIS – Adaptation to Saltwater inTrusion in sEa level Rise Scenarios (Interreg V-A Italy–Croatia, Project ID No. 10048765).
  • 2019: MINIDROSA – Integrated methodologies for the management and protection of water resources (SMAT – Società Metropolitana Acque Torino S.p.A.).
  • 2018: Geological and geomorphological study of the Val di Fine and Volterra-Cerbaie basins, Province of Pisa (Union of Municipalities of Valdera).
  • 2018: Geomorphological database of the Provinces of Livorno and Siena at a scale of 1:10,000 (Consorzio LaMMA).
  • 2018: NEXTDATA – National system for the collection, preservation, accessibility, and dissemination of environmental and climatic data in mountain and marine areas (National Strategic Interest Project, MIUR, PNR 2011–2013).
  • 2017: MONPREVIDRO – Preventive monitoring of the quantitative status of water resources intended for drinking purposes based on meteorological, climatological, and hydrogeological forecasts (AIT – Autorità Idrica Toscana).
  • 2016: Study of the impacts of climate change on groundwater bodies used for drinking water supply in the Turin area (SMAT – Società Metropolitana Acque Torino S.p.A.).
  • 2016: FREEWAT (EU Horizon 2020)
  • 2016: Maintenance, implementation, management, and updating of the Geological Database of the Tuscany Region (Consorzio LaMMA).
  • 2013: GEOBASI – Geochemical database of the Tuscany Region (Consorzio LaMMA).
  • 2013: CNR Project for Southern Italy – “Geothermal Atlas.”
  • 2012: Interregional Operational Programme VIGOR (Assessment of geothermal potential in convergence regions).
  • 2012: CREA (POR FESR 2017/2013)
  • 2011–2016: Advancement and development of knowledge concerning aquifer systems of the Tuscany Region (Consorzio LaMMA).
  • 2011: ZEBU (POR FESR 2017/2013)
  • 2010: Development of the database for the project “Regional mapping of slope stability and superficial deposits” (Consorzio LaMMA).
  • 2009: Delineation of protection zones (recharge areas and reserve zones) for strategic drinking water abstractions intended for human consumption, located in 18 sites of specific interest within the Tuscany Region (Consorzio LaMMA).
  • 2008–2010: Analysis of landslide susceptibility conditions affecting unstable settlements in the Emilia-Romagna Region (Regional Authority of Emilia-Romagna, Soil Protection Sector).
  • 2008–2010: Slope stability mapping of the Tuscany Region (Consorzio LaMMA).
  • 2006–2010: Database of Significant Groundwater Bodies of the Tuscany Region (Consorzio LaMMA).
  • 2005: Databases and geothematic maps of the Tuscany Region (lithotechnical, permeability, and geomorphological maps) derived from the geological map at a scale of 1:10,000 (Foundation for Applied Meteorology).

Scientific interests:

  • Stratigraphy and hydrostructure of multilayered aquifer systems; construction of 3D "solid" geological and hydrostructural models functional for the implementation of numerical flow and transport modeling.
  • Land protection and assessment of geological hazard levels through the analysis of deposits, landforms, and related geomorphological processes associated with slope, fluvial, and coastal dynamics in different geological settings; investigation of landslide conditions affecting unstable settlements.
  • Development of tools and procedures for thematic mapping of geological risks.
Schematic representation of the conceptual model of water circulation developed for a sector of the Versilia coastal aquifer system
Left: Brightness temperature (apparent temperature at the sensor) calculated for the Larderello (PI) area based on the thermal band of a LANDSAT 7 scene (20.06.2000).
Right: Use of the RX Anomaly Detection algorithm to identify thermally anomalous sectors.
GIS representation of the Database of Underground Water Bodies of the Tuscany Region: Water Body of the Cornia River Plain.
Geomorphological map of the Tuscany Region: over 700 sections at a scale of 1:10,000 created in 2006-2007 as part of the preparation of the regional thematic cartography derived from the geological one.
Map of hydraulic criticalities and landslides detected in a town in the Emilia-Romagna region

Publications

  • Servizio Geologico d’Italia. (2026). Carta Geologica d’Italia alla scala 1:50.000, F. 274 Empoli. ISPRA. https://doi.org/10.15161/oar.it/wf5t4-60b56
  • Pennica, F., & Cosentino, G. (2026). Dip-Strike Tools. QGIS plugin (v. 0.2.2). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18981279
  • Cosentino G., & Pennica F. (2026). Hydrological Analysis Stream Network – QGIS Plugin (v. 1.1). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18254583
  • Sepulveda J.P:, Paternostro S., Valeriani L., Masetti G., Aravena A., Lo Faro S., Vita L., Conticelli S., Cioni R. (2026) – Application of Red Relief Image Maps as a complementary tool for mapping volcanic areas: The case of the Monte Amiata volcano, Italy (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110195). Geomorphology, 499 (ISSN 0169-555X)
  • Cosentino, G., & Pennica, F. (2026). Geology tools. QGIS plugin (v. 0.2). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18669743
  • Cosentino G., & Pennica F. (2025). QGIS tool for Geology from points and lines (v. 3). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14652813
  • Servizio Geologico d’Italia. (2025). Carta Geologica d’Italia alla scala 1:50.000, F. 288 Arezzo. ISPRA. https://doi.org/10.15161/oar.it/211802
  • Cosentino G., & Pennica F. (2025). Lateral spreading for seismic microzonation. QGIS plugin (v. 0.1). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14719324
  • Servizio Geologico d’Italia. (2025). Carta Geologica d’Italia alla scala 1:50.000, F. 277 Bibbiena. ISPRA. https://doi.org/10.15161/oar.it/212103
  • Cosentino, G., & Pennica, F. (2025). Seismic microzones with morphological gradient . QGIS plugin (v. 0.1). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14679295
  • Servizio Geologico d’Italia. (2024). Carta Geologica d’Italia alla scala 1:50.000, F. 320 Castel del Piano. ISPRA. https://doi.org/10.15161/oar.it/211734
  • Menichini M, Franceschi L., Raco B., Masetti G., Scozzari A., Doveri M. (2022) – Groundwater Modeling with Process-Based and Data-Driven Approaches in the Context of Climate Change. (https://doi.org/10.3390/w14233956). Water 2022, 14(23), 3956. (ISSN 2073-4441).
  • Brussolo E., Palazzi E., von Hardenberg J., Masetti G., Vivaldo G., Previati M., Canone D., Gisolo D., Bevilacqua I., Provenzale A., Ferraris S. (2022) – Aquifer recharge in the Piedmont Alpine zone: historical trends and future scenarios. (https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-407-2022). Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 407–427, 2002. (ISSN 2035-8008).
  • Marcelli I., Irace I., Fioraso G., Masetti G., Brussolo E., Raco B., Menichini M., Vivaldo G., Doveri M., Pispico R., Cozzula S. (2022) – The Subsurface Database of the Torino Area (Western Po Plain): From the Design of the Conceptual Scheme to 3D Modeling. (DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-94426-1_9). In: E. Borgogno-Mondino and P. Zamperlin (Eds.), ASITA 2021, CCIS 1507, Geomatics and Geospatial Technologies. Proceedings of the 24th Italian Conference, ASITA 2021, pp. 106-119. Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022 (ISBN 978-3-030-94425-4).
  • Raco B., Vivaldo G., Doveri M., Menichini M., Masetti G., Battaglini R., Irace A., Fioraso G., Marcelli I., Brussolo E. (2021) – Geochemical, geostatistical and time series analysis techniques as a tool to achieve the Water Framework Directive goals: An example from Piedmont region (NW Italy). (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2021.106832). Journal of Geochemical Exploration, Vol. 229, October 2021, 106832. 20 pp. (ISSN 0375-6742).
  • Vignaroli G., Mancini M., Bucci F., Cardinali M., Cavinato G.P., Moscatelli M., Putignano M.L., Santangelo M., Ardizzone F., Cosentino G., Di Salvo C., Fiorucci F., Gaudiosi I., Peronace E., Polpetta F., Reichenbach P., Simionato M., Stigliano F. (2019). Geology of the central part of the Amatrice Basin (Central Apennines, Italy). Journal of Maps, vol. 15, p. 193-202, ISSN: 1744-5647, doi: doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2019.1570877
  • Doveri M., Irace A., Lelli M., Masetti G., Menichini M., Nisi B., Raco B. (2020) – Dynamics of groundwater systems. In: A. Donato and E. Palazzi (eds.), Climate and environmental changes in the Italian mountains. Progetto Nazionale di Interesse Strategico NEXTDATA, Volume Finale, Capitolo 7.3. (ISBN 9788879580489)
  • Masetti G., Da Prato S., Menichini M, et al. (2017) – Dal modello concettuale al modello numerico: il caso di studio del sistema acquifero di Follonica (GR, Toscana meridionale). (DOI: 10.3301/ROL.2017.13). Rend. Online, Soc. Geol. It., Vol. 42 (2017), pp-54-58, 3 figs. (ISSN 2035-8008).
  • Masetti G. (2016) – Banca Dati dei Corpi Idrici Sotterranei della Regione Toscana. Modello logico e fisico dei dati. Dizionario degli attributi delle classi. Rapporto tecnico (Convenzione Igg/Lamma del 07/02/2014), Rep. Biblioteca Cnr-Igg n. 11176, marzo 2016, 18 pp.
  • Masetti G., Da Prato S. (2016) – Banca Dati Sottosuolo della Regione Toscana. Modello logico e fisico dei dati. Dizionario degli attributi delle classi. Rapporto tecnico (Convenzione Igg/Lamma del 07/02/2014), Rep. Biblioteca Cnr-Igg n. 11177, marzo 2016, 13 pp.
  • Menichini M., Da Prato S., Doveri M., Ellero A., Lelli M., Masetti G., Nisi B., Raco B. (2015) – An integrated methodology to define Protection Zones for groundwater-based drinking water sources: an example from the Tuscany Region, Italy. (DOI 10.7343/AS-102-15-0129) Acque Sotterranee – Italian Journal of Groundwater, Vol. 4, n. 139, 21-27. (ISSN 1828-454X).
  • Raco B., Buccianti A., Corongiu M., Lavorini G., Macera P., Manetti F., Mari R., Masetti G., Menichetti S., Nisi B., Protano G., Romanelli S. (2015) – GEOBASI: The geochemical Database of Tuscany Region (Italy). (DOI 10.7343/AS-100-15-027) Acque Sotterranee – Italian Journal of Groundwater, Vol. 4, n. 139, 7-18. (ISSN 1828-454X).
  • Autori vari (2014) – VIGOR: Sviluppo geotermico nelle Regioni della Convergenza. Progetto VIGOR – Valutazione del Potenziale Geotermico nelle Regioni della Convergenza, POI Energie Rinnovabili e Risparmio Energetico 2007-2013, CNR-IGG (ISBN: 9788879580113).
  • Masetti G., Ottria G., Ghiselli F., Ambrogio A., Rossi G., Zanolini L. (2013) – Multidisciplinary Study of the Torrio Landslide (Northern Apennines, Italy) in: C. Margottini et al. (eds.), Landslide Science and Practice, Vol. 1, DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-31325-7_23, # Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.
  • Doveri M., Nisi B., Cerrina Feroni A., Ellero A., Menichini M., Lelli M., Masetti G., Da Prato S., Principe C., Raco B. (2012) – Geological, hydrodynamic and geochemical features of the volcanic aquifer of Mt. Amiata (Tuscany, Central Italy): an overview. Acta Vulcanologica, 23 (1-2), 2011 / 24 (1-2), 2012, 51-72. (ISSN 1121-9114)
  • Raco B., Cerrina Feroni A., Da Prato S., Doveri M., Ellero A., Lelli M., Masetti G., Nisi B., Marini L. (2011) – Environmental Security Issues Related to Impacts of Anthropogenic Activities on Groundwater: Examples from the Real World. In: A. Scozzari A., El Mansouri B. (edited by): Water Security in the Mediterranean Region. An international evaluation of management, control and governance approaches. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-1623-0_11, © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 11, 153-162. (ISBN 978-94-007-1622-3)
  • Cerrina Feroni A., Da Prato S., Doveri M., Ellero A., Lelli M., Marini L., Masetti G., Nisi B. & Raco B. (2010) – Corpi idrici sotterranei della Val di Cecina. Editore Manetti P., Memorie descrittive della Carta Geologica d’Italia, vol. LXXXIX, pp. 99. (ISSN 0536-0242; ISBN 978-88-240-2962-9)
  • Cerrina Feroni A., Ellero A., Masetti G., Ottria G., Pardini E. (2008) – I Corpi Idrici Sotterranei Significativi della Regione Toscana (DGRT 225/2003). Inquadramento regionale. Perimetrazione e ricostruzione. Prospettive e sviluppi. Regione Toscana, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, Consorzio LaMMa. Centro stampa Giunta Regione Toscana (pp. 134).