In August 2026, together with science communicator Claudia De Luca, I joined a scientific expedition with a team made up of two geochemists from the University of Cluj-Napoca Babeș-Bolyai and a microbiologist from the University of Naples Federico II.
We followed the volcanic chain Călimani-Gurghiu-Harghita - across the Eastern Carpathians - to sample gaseous emissions in mineral springs, mofettas and other post-volcanic manifestations. The research goal is to map these emissions to measure the quantity and concentrations of gases and characterize emission hotspots, and to understand how these gases interact with the surrounding rocks and water in the subsurface. Meanwhile, we also explored how the gases carry both benefit and risks for the people who have lived with them for generations.