The site of Sos Enattos in Sardinia (Italy) is a leading candidate to host the Einstein Telescope (ET), the future third-generation underground gravitational wave observatory. The realization of such a sensitive infrastructure requires a robust prediction of the rock mass conditions within the Variscan crystalline basement. This contribution presents the 3D geological and geophysical modeling workflow, grounded in a recently acquired dataset comprising detailed geological field mapping and a campaign of 12 deep boreholes. The modeling approach aims to integrate surface geological mapping, deep borehole data, and geophysical surveys into a coherent 3D environment. The adopted strategies enable the effective modeling of the structural complexity of the rock mass, addressing both the ductile metamorphic foliation trends and the brittle fracture networks (DFN) which control the hydraulic and mechanical behavior of the rock mass. This study emphasizes that the utility of the 3D geological model extends beyond the geotechnical design of the underground caverns. The accurate spatial distribution of physical properties represents a fundamental requirement for the future functionality of the observatory. The model is designed to provide the necessary boundary conditions for estimating Newtonian Noise and assessing the site’s seismic attenuation capabilities. Consequently, the proposed framework envisages a multi-purpose 3D model capable of supporting civil engineering decisions while simultaneously characterizing the geological environment’s impact on the scientific sensitivity of the gravitational wave experiments.
Defining a 3D Geological and Geophysical Model for the Einstein Telescope Site at Sos Enattos (Sardinia)
Antonio Funedda;Stefania Da Pelo;
2026-01-01
Abstract
The site of Sos Enattos in Sardinia (Italy) is a leading candidate to host the Einstein Telescope (ET), the future third-generation underground gravitational wave observatory. The realization of such a sensitive infrastructure requires a robust prediction of the rock mass conditions within the Variscan crystalline basement. This contribution presents the 3D geological and geophysical modeling workflow, grounded in a recently acquired dataset comprising detailed geological field mapping and a campaign of 12 deep boreholes. The modeling approach aims to integrate surface geological mapping, deep borehole data, and geophysical surveys into a coherent 3D environment. The adopted strategies enable the effective modeling of the structural complexity of the rock mass, addressing both the ductile metamorphic foliation trends and the brittle fracture networks (DFN) which control the hydraulic and mechanical behavior of the rock mass. This study emphasizes that the utility of the 3D geological model extends beyond the geotechnical design of the underground caverns. The accurate spatial distribution of physical properties represents a fundamental requirement for the future functionality of the observatory. The model is designed to provide the necessary boundary conditions for estimating Newtonian Noise and assessing the site’s seismic attenuation capabilities. Consequently, the proposed framework envisages a multi-purpose 3D model capable of supporting civil engineering decisions while simultaneously characterizing the geological environment’s impact on the scientific sensitivity of the gravitational wave experiments.
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