Page 30 - focusUnimore_maggio2023

L’Osservatorio Geofisico: due inaugurazioni e più

di 100 anni di misure ininterrotte

The Geophysical Observatory: two openings and more than 100 years of uninterrupted measure-
ments

On 17 April 2023, the Geophysical Observatory of Modena celebrated its fourth birthday since its reopening,
which took place thanks to the investments made by the University and the Emilia Romagna Region with the
2012 earthquake funds earmarked for cultural heritage and the resources allocated by Unimore. Located
in the East Tower of the Ducal Palace of Modena, it has been the historical seat of meteoclimatic measure-
ments since 1830. Throughout its life, the structure has encountered various vicissitudes, such as two world
wars, fires and several earthquakes until the last one in 2012. The measures continued, but the facility was
declared unfit for use and remained closed to the public for several years. From 2019 to the present day,
activities at the Observatory have been relentless, aimed at continuing the valuable collection of weather
and climate data and opening the facility to the public, to show its collection of instruments and historical
documents. The citizens welcomed the reopening of the structure with great enthusiasm and in four years
more than 3,500 visitors have climbed the tower. In recognition of its scientific activity, which has been
active since 1830, the Observatory has been awarded the status of “Long Term Observing Station” by the
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) for collecting and cataloguing more than 100 years of uninter-
rupted measurements. The Observatory’s inclusion in the University’s MUSEOMORE museum system in
2022 has also provided expertise on the great historical heritage contained in the facility, which will thus be
enhanced and preserved in the best possible way.

’Osservatorio Geofisico di Mode- tura ha incontrato diverse vicissitudini, come le
na ha festeggiato, il 17 aprile del due guerre mondiali, incendi e diversi sismi fino
2023, il suo quarto compleanno all’ultimo del 2012. Le misure sono sempre con-

dalla riapertura avvenuta nella tinuate, ma la struttura è stata dichiarata inagibile
Lstessa data del 2019. ed è rimasta chiusa al pubblico per numerosi anni.

L’Osservatorio Geofisico, situato nella Torre di A seguito del sisma del 2012 la Regione Emi-
Levante del Palazzo Ducale di Modena, è sede lia Romagna e l’Ateneo hanno investito 554 mila
storica di misure meteoclimatiche ormai dal lon- euro arrivati dai fondi per il terremoto destinati ai
tano 1830. Nel corso della sua vita però, la strut- beni culturali e dalle risorse stanziate da Unimore

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