The laboratory is hosted in the UOS of the IGG in Florence.
The Laboratory
Analogue modelling is an experimental technique aimed at reproducing and studying geological processes in the laboratory through the construction of small-scale physical models..
The models, ranging in size from a few centimetres to a few metres, are constructed with suitable materials (the most common being various types of sand and silicones) capable of simulating the deformation (rheological) characteristics of terrestrial rocks, and are deformed over time periods ranging from a few minutes to several hours.
Although these models simplify the geometry and rheology of this process, they represent a realistic replica of the prototype from a geometric and dynamic standpoint. This technique is therefore capable of eproducing and studying processes that in nature occur on timescales of millions of years and on geometric scales of tens or hundreds of kilometers, providing the possibility of continuously monitoring processes of which in nature only the final stage can be observed (e.g., the formation of mountain ranges, continental rifts, and ocean basins). This aspect, in addition to the possibility of evaluating the role of the various parameters that can influence a given geological process, constitutes the greatest strength of this methodology.
The laboratory is therefore equipped with various apparatuses capable of simulating the various types of deformation imparted by the tangential and vertical forces acting in nature through deformation apparatuses both in normal gravity (pure and/or simple shear) and in augmented gravity with the aid of a large-capacity centrifuge apparatus.
Instruments
The equipment present in the laboratory is composed of:
- Large-capacity centrifuge PM980R (ALC International), capable of deforming analog models in an augmented gravitational field.
- Prototype of a pure and simple shear deformation apparatus, with the possibility of silicone injection that simulates magma intrusion.
- Pure shear deformation apparatus that allows unidirectional deformation of the model.
- Conical-cylindrical viscometer for measuring the viscosity of ductile experimental materials.
- Optix 400M laser scanner (3D Digital Corporation) to scan the model surface.
- Apparatus for interferometric analysis of the surface deformation of the model.
Staff and Contacts
Staff:
Dr. Marco Bonini (Laboratory Manager)
Dr. Giacomo Corti
Dr. Domenico Montanari
Phones:
+39 055 2757541 (Dr. Marco Bonini)
+39 055 2757524 (Dr. Giacomo Corti)
+39 055 2757540 (Dr. Domenico Montanari)
+39 0552753157 (Dr. Daniele Maestrelli)
E-mail:
marco.bonini@igg.cnr.it
giacomo.corti@igg.cnr.it
domenico.montanari@igg.cnr.it
daniele.maestrelli@igg.cnr.it
Methods and Applications
Models deformed under augmented gravity:
They are deformed using a large-capacity centrifuge (PM980R – ALC International), a device capable of producing centrifugal forces on the model that play a role identical to the force of gravity in natural processes. This device is particularly suited to reproducing processes of continental extension, although it has recently also been used to reproduce strike-slip deformation and other deformation processes.
Models deformed in normal gravity:
The models are deformed in the Earth's gravitational field by the movement of a mobile wall that imposes deformation on the model. In the prototype pure and simple shear deformation apparatus, the geometry of the movement imposed on the mobile plate can be varied, thus allowing for the simulation of various deformation contexts. An electronically controlled piston allows silicone to be injected into the model to reproduce the ascent and emplacement of magma during deformation.
Scientific Projects and Interests
Projects in which the laboratory is involved:
- TECTOLAB – National Infrastructure for Earthquake Modeling in Active Tectonic Settings’, bando CNR-DSSTTA “Geoscienze per il futuro (GEONEXT)”
- MIGRATE – A Multidisciplinary and InteGRated Approach for geoThermal Exploration – Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).
- “Talents – The doctoral rift science network for the energy transition”, Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON) – call HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN
- ‘LEAP-RE, Europe-Africa Partnership for Renewable Energy’, European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program.
- PRIN 2022SERX3R (B53D23007510006) – “TErrestrial And Marginal System in a hot world (TEAMS). The continental and marginal-marine Cenomanian environments of the Southern Morocco between climate extreme and regional tectonics
- “The dynamic mechanism of Cenozoic Fenwei rift under the influence of preexisting fabrics” funded by “Research Project of National Observation and Research Station, Institute of Geology, China Earthquake Administration”
- PRIN – “The Afar Stratoids (TAS) Project” Grant Number No. 2017P9AT72
- GEMex – “Cooperation in Geothermal energy research Europe-Mexico for development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems and Superhot Geothermal Systems” –H2020– Grant Agreement No. 727550
- “IMAGE (Integrated Methods for Advanced Geothermal Exploration)” – European Union, 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (Grant Agreement n. 608553).
Infrastructures in which the laboratory is involved:
• European Plate Observing System (EPOS) – Multi-Scale Laboratories (MSL) Thematic Core Service (TCS)
Scientific Interests:
The Tectonic Modeling Laboratory's work focuses on studying geological deformation processes at various scales, from mesoscopic to lithospheric. In particular, the main lines of research focus on the study of some fundamental tectonic processes in the evolution of our planet, such as:
- continental extension
- continental collision and development of orogenic belts
- inversion tectonics
- magma emplacement in various geodynamic contexts
- analysis of the evolution of sedimentary basins.
These activities are complemented by studies addressing geomorphological processes (such as modeling glacial flow and landslides) and analyses related to the conservation of cultural heritage (for example, analysis of the stability of Michelangelo's statue of David).
Publications
- Corti, G., Muluneh, A., Stamps, D. S., Keir, D., Isola, I., Mazzarini, F., … & Maestrelli, D. (2025). Control of gravitational potential energy on the distribution of off‐rift volcanic activity in the Turkana depression, East African rift. Geophysical Research Letters, 52(12), e2024GL114277. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL114277
- López, C., Del Ventisette, C., Bonini, M., Montanari, D., Maestrelli, D., Martínez, F., Rioseco, M., Cisternas, R., Espinoza, S., Herrera, B., González, R., Riquelme, R., & Navea, M. (2025). Formation of contractional wedge structures in the Andean forearc, northern Chile: A comparative model from physical experiments applied on the eastern Domeyko Cordillera. Tectonics, 44(6), e2024TC008799. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024TC008799
- Corti, G., Maestrelli, D., Bonini, M., & Sani, F. (2025). Off-rift volcanism during continental rifting: Observations and models with a focus on the Main Ethiopian Rift, East Africa. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 105590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105590
- Maestrelli, D., Corti, G., Bonini, M., Keir, D., Facincani, P., Vannucchi, P., Del Ventisette, C., Montanari D. & Sani, F. (2024). Fault reactivation and growth at rift-related calderas. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 636, 118700. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2024.118700
- Vendeville B.C., Corti G., Boussarsar M., Ferrer O. (2024). An alternative experimental configuration to generate wrench zone above a viscous layer. Journal of Structural Geology, 184, 105166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2024.105166
- Maestrelli, D., Sani, F., Keir, D., Pagli, C., La Rosa, A., Muluneh, A. A., Brune S. & Corti, G. (2024). Reconciling plate motion and faulting at a rift-rift-rift triple junction. Geology 2024;; 52 (5): 362–366. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G51909.1
- Zou, Y., Maestrelli, D., Corti, G., Del Ventisette, C., Wang, L., & Shen, C. (2024). Influence of inherited brittle fabrics on continental rifting: Insights from centrifuge experimental modelling and application to the East African Rift System. Tectonics, 43, e2023TC007947. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023TC007947
- López, C., Del Ventisette, C., Bonini, M., Montanari, D., Maestrelli, D., Martínez, F., González R., Riquelme, R., Montenegro, D., Muñoz, B & Guzmán‐Marusic, G. (2022). The relationship between inverted normal faults and pure thrusting during the tectonic inversion of the Domeyko Cordillera, northern Chile: Structural and seismic interpretation and analog modeling experiments. Tectonics, 41, e2022TC007378. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022TC007378
- Maestrelli, D.*, Brune, S., Corti, G., Keir, D., Muluneh, A. A., & Sani, F. (2022). Analog and numerical modeling of Rift-Rift-Rift triple junctions. Tectonics, 41, e2022TC007491. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022TC007491
- Corti, G., Maestrelli, D. and Sani, F. (2022). Large-to Local-Scale Control of PreExisting Structures on Continental Rifting: Examples from the Main Ethiopian Rift, East Africa. Front. Earth Sci. 10:808503. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2022.808503
- Milazzo, F., Cavozzi, C., Corti, G., Maestrelli, D., & Storti, F. (2021). Centrifuge modeling of thrust systems in the brittle crust: Role of frictional décollement geometry. Journal of Structural Geology, 153, 104450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2021.104450
- Zwaan, F., Rosenau, M., Maestrelli, D. (2021). How initial basin geometry influences gravity-driven salt tectonics: Insights from laboratory experiments. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 105195, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2021.105195.
- Luzzi, E., Rossi, A. P., Massironi, M., Pozzobon, R., Corti, G., & Maestrelli, D. (2021). Caldera collapse as the trigger of Chaos and fractured craters on the Moon and Mars. Geophysical Research Letters, 48, e2021GL092436. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL092436
- Wang, L., Maestrelli, D., Corti, G., Zou, Y., & Shen, C. (2021). Normal fault reactivation during multiphase extension: Analogue models and application to the Turkana depression, East Africa. Tectonophysics, 811, 228870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2021.228870
- Maestrelli, D., Bonini, M., Corti, G., Del Ventisette, C., Moratti, G., & Montanari, D. (2021). Exploring fault propagation and the role of inherited structures during caldera collapse through laboratory experiments. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 414, 107232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2021.107232
- Maestrelli, D*., Bonini, M., Corti., G, Del Ventisette, C., Moratti, G., and Montanari, D. (2021)*. A database of laboratory analogue models of caldera collapse testing the role of inherited structures. Frontiers in Earth Science | Volcanology, 9:618258; https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2021.618258/full
- Bonini, M., Maestrelli, D., Corti, G., Del Ventisette, C., Moratti, G., Carrasco‐Núñez, G., Giordano, G., Lucci, F., Norini, G., Piccardi, L., Urbani, S., Montanari, D. (2021). Modeling Intra‐Caldera Resurgence Settings: Laboratory Experiments With Application to the Los Humeros Volcanic Complex (Mexico). Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 126(3), e2020JB020438. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JB020438
- Zwaan F., Corti G., Keir D., Sani, F. (2020). An analogue modeling study of marginal flexure in Afar, East Africa: implications for passive margin formation. Tectonophysics, 796, 228595
- Collanega L., Corti G., Breda A., Massironi M., Keir D. (2020). 3D extension at plate boundaries accommodated by interacting fault systems. Scientific Reports, 10:8669 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65599-5
- Corti G., Nencini R., Skyttä P. (2020). Modelling the influence of pre-existing brittle fabrics on the development and architecture pull-apart basins. Journal of Structural Geology, 131, 103937, 1-15.
- Del Ventisette, C., Bonini, M., Maestrelli, D., Sani, F., Iavarone, E., & Montanari, D. (2020). 3D-thrust fault pattern control on negative inversion: An analogue modelling perspective on central Italy. Journal of Structural Geology, 143, 104254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2020.104254
- Maestrelli, D., Montanari, D., Corti, G., Del Ventisette, C., Moratti, G., & Bonini, M.* (2020). Exploring the interactions between rift propagation and inherited crustal fabrics through experimental modelling. Tectonics, 39-12; e2020TC006211. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020TC006211
- Montanari, D., Del Ventisette, C., Bonini, M. (2020). Lateral magma migration through interconnected sills: Evidence from analogue modeling. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 551, 116568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116568
- Del Ventisette, C., Bonini, M., Agostini, A., Corti G., Maestrelli D., Montanari, M. (2019) Using different grain-size granular mixtures (quartz and K-feldspar sand) in analogue extensional models. Journal of Structural Geology, 129, 103888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2019.103888
- Sani F., Bonini M., Corti G., Moratti G. (2019). Extension direction re-orientation in the oceanic rift of Iceland, and comparison with continental rifts. Tectonophysics, 756, 25-42
- De Matteo A., Corti G., van Wyk de Vries B., Massa B., Mussetti G. (2018). Fault-volcano interactions with broadly distributed stretching in rifts. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 362, 64-75.
- Martínez F., Montanari D., Del Ventisette C., Bonini M., Corti G. (2018). Basin inversion and magma migration and emplacement: Insights from basins of northern Chile. Journal of Structural Geology, 114, 310-319.
- Corti G., Zeoli A., (2018). Analogue modelling of the influence of ice shelf collapse on the flow of ice sheets grounded below sea-level. Annals of Geophysics, 61, 3, OC332, doi: 10.4401/ag-7356.
- Corti G., Sani F., Agostini S., Philippon M., Sokoutis D., Willingshofer E. (2018). Off-axis volcano-tectonic activity during continental rifting: insights from the transversal Goba-Bonga lineament, Main Ethiopian Rift (East Africa). Tectonophysics, 728-729, 75-91.
- Montanari D., Bonini M., Corti G., Agostini A., Del Ventisette C. (2017). Forced folding above shallow magma intrusions: Insights on supercritical fluid flow from analogue modelling. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 345, 67-80.
- Brune S., Corti G., Ranalli G. (2017). Controls of inherited lithospheric heterogeneity on rift linkage: Numerical and analogue models of interaction between the Kenyan and Ethiopian rifts across the Turkana depression. Tectonics, 36, doi:10.1002/ 2017TC004739.
- Montanari D., Agostini A., Bonini M., Corti G., Del Ventisette C. (2017). The use of empirical methods for testing granular materials in analogue modeling. Materials, 10, 635; doi:10.3390/ma10060635.
- Ferrer O., Dooley T.P., Corti G., Vidal-RoyoO.,. Hearon IV T.E., Reber J., Graveleau F. (2017). Introduction to Special Section: Analog modeling as an aid to structural interpretation. Interpretation, 5, SDi-SDii.
- Philippon M., Corti G. (2016). Obliquity along plate boundaries. Tectonophysics, 693, 171–182.
- Martínez F., Bonini M., Montanari D., Corti G. (2016). Tectonic inversion and magmatism in the Lautaro Basin, northern Chile, Central Andes: A comparative approach from field data and analogue models. Journal of Geodynamics, 94–95, 68–83.