LA GEOLOGIA MARINA DURANTE IL REGNO D’ITALIA: 1861-1946

Italian marine research did not experience a significant organic development between 1861 and 1946, except for the parenthesis linked to the activities of the Regio Comitato Talassografico Italiano between 1909 and 1924. Marine geology, due to the technical difficulties linked to research, received limited support and the main activities consisted in the study of the sediments obtained from the surveys of the Navy and of private industries, related to the laying of submarine telegraph cables. In this sector, Researchers and operators from Milano particularly distinguished themselves. The other activities essentially concerned the study of coastal erosion and gravimetric research. At the end of such period, the reforms implemented within the CNR forced research to start almost from scratch. In general, the main problems were linked to a short-sighted vision from the politicians of the time.