The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) was established from the merger of five institutes already operating in the field of geophysical and volcanological disciplines: the National Institute of Geophysics (ING), the Vesuvius Observatory (OV), the International Institute of Volcanology of Catania (IIV), the Institute of Geochemistry of Fluids of Palermo (IGF) and the Institute of Research on Seismic Risk of Milan (IRRS).
The mandate of the Authority includes the pursuit of the objectives of observation of phenomena and development of scientific knowledge on the Earth System as a whole, in strong interaction with the technological activity, management and development of research infrastructures and the realization of activities with potential significant impact on the population and on the various components of the Company.
As a member of the National Civil Protection Service, as well as the Competence Center of the Civil Protection Department, the INGV is entrusted with the Surveillance of the seismicity of the entire national territory and the activity of the Italian active volcanoes and the tsunamis in the Mediterranean area.