Olympia Odos participates in a European Project for seismic activity monitoring

• The TRANSFORM² program is part of the European key funding program for research and innovation “Horizon Europe”
• An innovative sensor for seismic activity monitoring was installed at Panagopoula area​

The inaugural meeting of the large-scale European research program TRANSFORM² (TowaRds AdvaNced multidisciplinary Fault ObseRvatory systeMs²) was successfully held in the Panagopoula area.  This is part of the key funding program for research and innovation “Horizon Europe” and focuses on the improvement and transformation of seismic activity monitoring observatories. The Observatories aim to improve the understanding of earthquake mechanics to reveal the anatomy of complex earthquake faults and are part of the Olympia Odos strategy to adopt innovative techniques that help prevent dangerous incidents and ensure road safety.

During the meeting, the participants visited the FIMOPTIC project site in the T24 escape tunnel of Olympia Odos at Panagopoula, where a scientific team from France has installed a state-of-the-art monitoring sensor and special equipment near the Psathopyrgos Fault to record the tectonic deformation in the active fault zone.

Professor Efthimios Sokos of the Laboratory of Seismology of the University of Patras, who is coordinating the project, together with 31 scientists from European universities, were guided through the tunnel by Mrs. Alexandra Mavroidis, Technical Geologist, Slopes & Engineering Geology Manager of Olympia Odos, and were informed about the Corinth Rift and the challenges of the project.

The overall objective of TRANSFORM² is to significantly upgrade the existing research infrastructure of the Near Fault Observatories within the European Plate Observing System.

The project is based on four pillars:

• Innovative sensors in areas close to active faults and in urban environments.
• New data analysis methods for improved earthquake detectability and more consistent earthquake catalogues.
• An earthquake early warning system, combining regional and on-site systems, new communication systems beyond telemetry and tailored applications to citizens, decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Test-beds for equipment, methods, early warning and decision-making platforms.

Olympia Odos, as the managing company of the Elefsina-Korinthos-Patras-Pyrgos motorway, which is located in a seismically active zone such as the Corinth Rift, participates in the above program by supporting the installation of innovative sensors. It is also considering its future participation in the use of the upgraded research infrastructure, especially in Pillar III "Early Warning" and is continuously investing, beyond its contractual obligations, in a series of major programs with significant and measurable results in the prevention of risks from natural phenomena.