OGS is a public internationally oriented research Institute financed by the Italian Ministry of University and Research - MUR, which performs research studies turned to the knowledge about Earth and its resources in the fields of basic and applied research in Oceanography, Geophysics and Marine Geology, Applied Geophysics and exploration. OGS applies its own expertise in Earth Sciences, and in Marine and Polar regions to contribute not only to the spreading and widening of the knowledge, but also to the practical solution of environmental, economical and social issues. Counting on its own vessel, the icebreaker Laura Bassi — an oceanographic research ship — and other strategic infrastructures of excellence, OGS works for the safeguarding and enhancement of the environmental and natural resources in order to evaluate and prevent geological, environmental and climatic risks, with the aim of spreading scientific culture and knowledge. All these efforts are also made in collaboration with analogous European and international institutions, with private high-tech industries and qualified enterprises. Research activities are grouped into 5 major themes: ▪ Environment and climate ▪ Biodiversity and ecosystem functionality ▪ Natural hazards ▪ Natural Resources ▪ Energy Resources 
OGS, also in collaboration with other institutions, engages in studies related to: • applied geophysical and environmental disciplines • delineation and evaluation of mineral and energy resources and the development of environmentally friendly technologies for their exploitation • marine sciences, related in particular to the interaction of the oceans with the atmosphere and the lithosphere • seismicity, hydrodynamic and geodynamic phenomena having an impact on the environment and population, also for civil protection purposes • development of techniques for the acquisition, processing, interpretation and storage of geophysical data • integration of research and capacity-building activities.