Department for National Technical Services (DSTN) ITALY The Department for National Technical Services (DSTN) consists of 4 Surveys (Geological, Seismic, Hydrographic and Oceanographic, Dams) and the Unified Information System Office (SIU). The Department carries out monitoring activities related to land protection, specifically: collection, analysis, organization and dissemination of data; study, research and experiment on features of the physical environment and on general risk conditions; creation and updating of thematic territorial maps; evaluation and study of the impact of plans and projects connected with land protection The Geological Survey of Italy (SGN) The Geological Survey of Italy (SGN), is an official national cartographic body, wich main duty is to implement the geological and geothematical basic cartography, in order to ensure a valid scientific documentation for territory knowledge. SGN activities include: surveying, updating and editing for the production of Italy's geological and geothematic maps at different scales. Coordination of the geological cartographic activities of other Bodies at national, regional and local level Research, control and applied studies geared to development of institutional tasks, better knowledge of the geological environment, forecasting of geological hazards advisory services in the field of earth sciences collaboration with corresponding Bodies of foreign Countries, EEC and International Organizations Technical personnel: total: n.93, univ. graduates: n.54, others: n.39 Since1989, like other european countries, a program of marine geological cartography was officially established. The main activities of the marine geology section of SGN are following two directions: to promote and coordinate the activities related to the geologic mapping project, also creating a marine geology data base, and then to draft the regulations for the survey and the cartography of seafloors. Geophysical surveys and seafloor sampling are being carried out to support geological and geomorphological cartography at several scales (mostly 1:50000) in areas of particular interest. The marine geology section carries out as well advices for government administrations on every problem concerning high coast stability, seashore erosion process and the relative environmental damage. Two main scales have been choosen to represent cartographically the geology of sea floors:1:250.000 and 1:50.000. The 1:250.000 scale map, wich uses the JOG cartographic series produced by the Italian Military Geographical Institute (IGMI), has proved to be the most suitable for the location of the main geological structures of the sea floors , with a particular reference to the last event of sea level changes . The production of a 1:50.000 geological map foresees, on the other hand, the representation of the continental shelf, with a particular eye to the anthropical activities concerning the coastal area. This cartography has been focused on the distribution and kind of sea bed sediments, on erosion, transport and accumulation of sediments on sea floors and coastal areas, on composition of the subsurface litotypes. The Italian Geological Survey is currently carring out about 20 geological sheets, at1:50.000 scale, wich include marine areas, as well as a north Adriatic sheet (1:250.000 scale ) and a high resolution bathymetric survey project for the whole Tirrenic basin. 500 marine samples data, mainly sedimentological and paleontological information, collected from the above projects are being archived in a data base.Over 2000 samples are expected to be collected in the next three years .