Underground X-rays of Naples: Muon project to uncover disruptions

In the heart of Underground Naples, a revolutionary technology is changing the way we explore the underground. Using a special antenna capable of “capturing” cosmic rays, experts are taking real underground X-rays to map Naples’ subsoil and prevent disruptions and sinkings that could threaten the area.

Muons: cosmic rays in the service of science

The device, developed by the Neapolitan company Tecno In, is an advanced version of an earlier detector. This antenna, the result of an all-Italian patent, is designed to intercept “muons,” subatomic particles that, like X-rays for medicine, make it possible to obtain detailed images of the subsurface. Muons, which are constantly emitted by cosmic rays arriving at Earth, possess an extraordinary penetration capability: they can traverse miles of earth, revealing cavities, voids and defects in the ground. When muons encounter obstacles, such as materials or voids in the subsurface, they deviate from their path. The detected deviations are analyzed to reconstruct a detailed three-dimensional map, uncovering potential structural issues in the ground. In other words, muons are used to create an “X-ray” of the deep underground, revealing any cavities or disruptions that might go undetected by traditional methods.

The project: a step forward in the prevention of landslides

The project, coordinated by geologist Lucio Amato, adviser to the Order of Geologists, is an important step forward in subsurface monitoring technologies. The muon antenna was installed in a tunnel in the Naples Underground, but, according to Amato, the technology could easily be applied in other areas of the city where it is crucial to know the condition of voids and cavities under roads and buildings. Previous experiments using muon antennas have already yielded good results. In the past, an unknown burial chamber in the Sanità and a cavity in Monte Echia, for example, which remained unexplored due to material obstacles, were discovered using this technology. However, the antenna currently in use represents an evolution of its predecessors, with superior performance that opens up possibilities for even more precise future explorations.

A project with broader implications

This experiment is not just about the city of Naples, but is part of a broader context of scientific research. In fact, the project is being carried out in collaboration with the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), which is contributing to the studies and overseeing the implementation of the technology. Enzo Albertini, creator of the Naples Underground route, expressed enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing its importance on the scientific level. Naples Underground, in fact, is not only a tourist attraction, but a site that can contribute to initiatives of great scientific value.

Toward the future: prevention of landslides in Naples

Thanks to the muon antenna, Naples could benefit from continuous and accurate underground monitoring. The X-rays obtained could prove useful not only for mapping underground cavities, but also for predicting possible instabilities, sinkings, and structural problems, improving safety and land management. The possibility of applying this technology in different areas of the city is a real opportunity to protect the city’s built and historical heritage, using state-of-the-art technology. In this way, scientific research and technological innovation are intertwined with land protection, demonstrating how science can become a key ally for the safety and preservation of our urban environment.