The Laboratory of Technologies for Volcanology (TechnoLab) is a research programme of the Etna Volcano Observatory (EVO) at the INGV in Catania since 2001. The TechnoLab was established in agreement with the University of Catania in the areas of Systems Engineering and Applied Mathematics with the aim for studies and researches of Volcanic Hazards.

Forecasting volcanic hazards presents extraordinarily challenging problems, for reasons that span from the inherent complexity characterizing volcanic phenomena to the magnitude of associated risks. However, there is significant progress in forecasting volcanic hazards and, in specific circumstances, in making predictions. Improvements in forecasting are closely related to a wealth of data from enhanced monitoring techniques, such as satellite observations, and tremendous advances in computing power, leading to the increased use of data-driven approaches, including artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, to solve problems of volcanic hazards. Machine learning, a form of AI in which computers learn from data, is gaining importance in volcanology, not only for monitoring purposes (i.e., in real-time) but also for later hazards analysis (e.g. modelling tools). This research group aims to cross-fertilize efforts in traditional ground-based volcano monitoring systems with technological innovation from satellite remote sensing and advanced computational methods for developing a better understanding of volcanic hazards.