An integrated multi-hazard monitoring platform combining atmospheric observations with environmental seismology for extreme event documentation in Romania

The REACTIVE platform (accessible at reactive.infp.ro) constitutes a comprehensive online infrastructure developed by the National Institute for Earth Physics (NIEP) of Romania, designed to facilitate real-time monitoring, analysis, and dissemination of multi-hazard information across the Romanian territory. The system incorporates seven distinct monitoring modalities, functioning as an integrated observational network.

Atmospheric monitoring is achieved through multiple complementary technologies. The platform utilizes Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based Integrated Water Vapor (IWV) measurements to quantify tropospheric moisture content, supplemented by data acquisition from a Boltek lightning detection network. Additionally, a infrasound array captures acoustic-gravity wave disturbances associated with atmospheric phenomena, while Black Sea water level observations contribute to the assessment of coastal hazard potential.

A particularly innovative component of the system involves the application of environmental seismology methodologies, whereby Romania's existing seismological network infrastructure is repurposed for non-traditional monitoring objectives.

The platform incorporates a citizen science component that facilitates public participation in hazard documentation. This crowdsourcing mechanism enables citizens to submit observational reports regarding extreme weather phenomena and their impacts, including tornadoes, intense precipitation events, flash flooding, hailstorms, and associated infrastructure damage. The METEO Alerts module delivers automated early warning notifications based on predetermined threshold criteria, integrating Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) forecast models with publicly accessible meteorological station data.

Through the synthesis of instrumental measurements and community-sourced observations, the REACTIVE platform demonstrates the efficacy of multidisciplinary data integration for enhanced natural hazard assessment across Romania and the broader Carpathian-Black Sea region. This integrated approach exemplifies contemporary paradigms in operational hazard monitoring systems that leverage both traditional scientific instrumentation and participatory sensing networks.

 

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the European Union (Next Generation EU instrument) through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, "PNRR-III-C9-2022 – I5 Establishment and operationalization of Competence Centers" competition, "Competence Center for Climate Change Digital Twin for Earth forecasts and societal redressment: DTEClimate" project, contract no.760008/30.12.2022, code 7/16.11.2022.