OA Earth-prints Repository
Not a member yet
16457 research outputs found
Sort by
Tectonic implications of raised Quaternary relative sea‐level indicators along the NE border of the Campania Plain (southern Italy)
No full textPublishedJCR Journa
Methodological insights for accurate quantification of trace elements in soluble and insoluble fractions of bulk atmospheric deposition
No full textThis study explores the distribution of 16 trace elements between soluble and insoluble fractions of atmospheric deposition in Sicily, Italy, based on EU protocols for monitoring pollutants. Using a standardised deposimeter, we collected 149 atmospheric deposition samples over two years. Additionally, we analysed the rinse solution of the deposimeter separately. Higher deposition values for elements like Sr, B, Ba, Zn, As, and Cu were found in the soluble fraction, whereas Fe, Ti, Al, Cr, Co, Li, Mn, V, Ni, and Pb were prevalent in the insoluble fraction. The rinse fraction typically accounted for lower deposition values (from 1 % to 19 %), except for Pb and B, which accounted for 42 % and 31 % of the total deposition. We compared trace element distribution during a "dry period" and a "wet period." During the dry period, the insoluble fraction represented up to 97 % for elements like Ti and Fe, while the rinse fraction was notable for B (~51 %) and Pb (~33 %). In the wet period, insoluble contributions were higher for Li, Al, Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, and Pb, and soluble contributions increased for B, V, Mn, Zn, As, Sr, Ba, and Cu. While soluble elements were affected by temporal precipitation distribution, less soluble elements like Ti, Fe, and Al showed no significant differences between periods. Overall, the study highlights varying degrees of solubility among trace elements. Although the rinse fraction was generally negligible for most elements, overlooking it could lead to underestimating total atmospheric deposition for some elements, especially after extended dry periods.SubmittedJCR Journa
New relationships between macroseismic intensity and local magnitude for the volcanic region of Mt. Etna (Italy)
No full text• The research introduces an updated method for converting epicentral intensity to macroseismic magnitude,
using a dataset from 1997 to 2018. This new method aligns better with local magnitudes of recent earthquakes,
improving accuracy.
• The proposed relationship is designed for shallow earthquakes (depth ≤ 3 km) and includes a correction
factor for depth, making it suitable for both shallow and deeper seismic events in the Mt. Etna region.
• This relationship allows for more accurate estimations of magnitudes for historical, pre-instrumental earthquakes
in the Mt. Etna region, refining our understanding of the area’s seismic activity.The volcanic region of Mt. Etna (Italy) has a well-documented historical seismic activity, with records of seismic and volcanic events on the volcano dating back to late 1633. This historical data, covering a time span longer than that recorded by instrumental seismological data, is a testament to the reliability of the intensity-magnitude relations, the only means to obtain macroseismic information, the sole indicator of the energy released by earthquakes. Previous studies in the literature have proposed various methods for converting epicentralPublishedJCR Journa
Developing a geo-citizenship through the global ethics of geoethics
No full textWhen, in 2002, Paul Crutzen (1933–2021), a Nobel Prize-winning chemist, challenged the scientific community during a meeting by asserting that humanity had become the protagonist of deep time, ushering in the Anthropocene, perhaps there was an illusion not only of finding a term, a concept, a strong idea that described the unavoidable history of the world, but also of encapsulating the key to unequivocally defining humanity through the products of its creative-destructive inner energy and outlining its complex existential condition....PublishedOS: Terza mission
Low-Frequency GPR as a Gateway to Archaeological Investigations: The Aeclanum’s Buried Roman-age Forum (Southern Italy)
No full textGround Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a cornerstone technology in archaeological research due to its ability to non-invasively detect subsurface structures and artifacts. By emitting electromagnetic waves and analyzing their reflections, GPR enables researchers to map buried features with high precision while preserving the site's integrity. Low-frequency GPR systems, in particular, are well-suited for archaeological contexts, offering the depth penetration required to investigate complex stratigraphic settings and revealing structures that might otherwise remain undetected. The Archaeological Park of Aeclanum, located in Mirabella Eclano (AV), Southern Italy, is a site of great historical importance, hosting remains of a city that flourished under the Samnite and Roman civilizations. Among its most significant areas is the ancient Roman Forum, once the political, religious, and commercial heart of the city. Despite its historical relevance, the Forum had not yet been uncovered, and its exact layout and architectural features remained unknown. Previous investigations using higher-frequency GPR systems were limited in depth penetration, failing to detect deeper buried structures. To overcome these limitations, a low-frequency GPR survey was conducted in the Forum area. The survey employed a monostatic antenna with a center frequency of 80 MHz, enabling a maximum exploration depth of up to 5 meters, far exceeding the capabilities of previous investigations. This deeper penetration facilitated the identification of subsurface anomalies consistent with walls, pavements, and foundations. These anomalies provided the first geophysical evidence of the Forum's layout and subsurface features, shedding light on a previously unexplored area. The GPR data revealed a series of significant anomalies, particularly at depths ranging from 1 to 3 meters. These features were interpreted as remnants of buried architectural elements associated with the Forum, including masonry walls, paved surfaces, and foundations. The ability to detect these features highlights the critical advantage of using low-frequency equipment in archaeological investigations. To validate the geophysical findings, targeted archaeological excavations were carried out in areas corresponding to the most prominent anomalies. These excavations uncovered well-preserved structural elements, including segments of masonry walls and paved surfaces, precisely matching the GPR-detected anomalies in location, depth, and geometry. Notably, the excavation confirmed the presence of foundational elements at greater depths, which were undetectable in previous surveys. The excellent spatial correlation between the GPR data and the exposed remains demonstrated the reliability and precision of the low-frequency GPR survey in reconstructing the Forum's layout. This study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate GPR configurations for specific archaeological objectives. By combining non-invasive geophysical techniques with targeted excavation, this integrated approach maximized the efficiency of the investigation while minimizing its impact on the site. The findings reinforce the potential of low-frequency GPR as a powerful tool in uncovering and preserving buried archaeological heritage.Publishe
Precursory velocity changes prior to the 2019 paroxysms at Stromboli volcano, Italy, from coda wave interferometry
No full textOpen-conduit basaltic volcanoes are susceptible to sudden transitions from mild activity to violent explosive eruptions with little to no warning. Such was the case at Stromboli in the summer of 2019, when two paroxysmal explosions occurred within approx- imately two months (July 3 and August 28). We apply coda wave interferometry to identify possible transitions in behavior in the build-up to these events, computing seismic velocity changes using five broadband seismic stations on the volcano between 2013–2022. This timeframe encompasses a range of volcanic activity including effusive activity, major explosions and parox- ysms. Cross-correlation functions are computed both between pairs of stations and single-station cross-components in multiple frequency bands that allow the sampling of different depths (between approximately 100–1000 m) within the plumbing system. Shallow velocity changes (1–2 Hz and 2–4 Hz) reveal mid-to-long term precursors prior to the paroxysms in 2019. For example, we observe that 2–4 Hz velocities recorded at the station closest to the active crater show an increase of 0.2–0.3 % relative to velocities recorded at other stations. This increase is largely accumulated from mid-2017, coinciding with previously observed heightened activity at the volcano, peaking approximately one month prior to the first paroxysm. A long-term decrease is also observed in deeper velocity changes (0.5–1.0 Hz) during the same time interval. It is hypothesized that these changes represent greater magma overpressure from increased volatile input from depth. The different response in the shallow subsurface may reflect a local response due to the same source within the vicinity close of the crater terrace. These findings illustrate how coda wave interferometry can provide meaningful insights into the evolving dynamics of open-conduit basaltic volcanoes.PublishedOSV1: Verso la previsione dei fenomeni vulcanici pericolosiN/A or not JC
Establishing the first ionospheric observatory in Kenya: Early results from the NORISK project
No full textWe present early scientific results from the only ionospheric observatory operating currently in Kenya, located in the Luigi Broglio Malindi Space Center (Malindi, Kenya; 3.22°S, 40.12°E), as part of the New Observatory for Real-time Ionospheric Sounding over Kenya (NORISK) project. One of the major challenges for space weather research in Africa is the limited availability of groundbased infrastructure for ionospheric monitoring and study, such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers and ionosondes. These are essential for improving our understanding of unresolved questions regarding both quiet-time and disturbed-time variations in the low-latitude ionosphere, particularly in a region characterized by a strong longitudinal dependence of the phenomena driving the formation of Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs). NORISK seeks to address these gaps by establishing a new ionospheric observatory, which includes a GNSS Ionospheric Scintillation Monitor Receiver (ISMR) and an Advanced Ionospheric Sounding ionosonde built at the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (AIS-INGV), while also developing tools for ionospheric monitoring and training future space weather scientists in Eastern Africa. In this paper, we present some examples of possible analyses that can be done thanks to this new observatory based on data collected in its first year of life, from the 1st August 2023 to the 31st July 2024. Specifically, the analyses focus on several topics including: the reliability of the AIS-INGV autoscaling system; the ionospheric equivalent slab thickness; the occurrence of the sporadic E layer; the vertical plasma drift as estimated from ionosonde measurements and its relationship with the occurrence of L-band scintillation phenomena as acquired by the ISMR receiver.PublishedJCR Journa
Coupled Paleomagnetism and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar Dating of Latera Ignimbrites (Vulsini Volcanic District, Italy) Unravel Processes Associated to Piston-Collapse Calderas
No full textCorrelation of ignimbrite units at polygenic calderas is mandatory for the reconstruction of caldera-forming events and proper identification of their eruption dynamics. However, ignimbrites erupted at different times from the same caldera can display similarities in composition and lithology that can hamper proper correlation of outcrops across the caldera structure. Here, high-resolution paleomagnetic and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar data are used along with stratigraphic evidence to address and resolve the relationships between two ignimbrites associated with the Latera caldera (Grotte di Castro and Onano Formations, Vulsini Volcanic District, Central Italy). These were characterized at 32 paleomagnetic sites and eleven 40 Ar/ 39 Ar sampling sites encompassing proximal and distal facies. Overall, the paleomagnetic directions of the two ignimbrites are statistically indistinguishable whereas single-grain 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages of sanidine and leucite crystals show systematic preservation of pre-eruptive ages with sectorial variations closely controlled by eruption dynamics, yet with a neatly defined common juvenile (syn-eruptive) age at 205 ka. The data show that the two ignimbrites are the product of a single event, here renamed the "Grotte di Castro-Onano" eruption, representing the largest and latest caldera-forming stage of the Latera system. The sectorial preservation of pre-eruptive 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages across the depositional sequence is interpreted to reflect the extraction processes with selective (re)mobilization of magma batches associated to piston collapse dynamics. Coupling paleomagnetism with 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dating is shown to be a key step in such cases for successful resolution of individual caldera-forming events at the millennial scale. Plain Language Summary Ignimbrites are highly explosive volcanic products typically spread over wide areas around calderas. Many calderas are polygenic implying that they formed as a result of repeated ignimbrite events whose mineralogical and geochemical features can be similar. In addition, ignimbrites can also display internal facies variations and sectorial zoning due to complex emplacement mechanisms. Collectively, these factors can hamper correlation and clearcut identification of key eruptions in the sequence. Here, we report new paleomagnetic and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar data sets coupled with stratigraphic evidence to address the possible correlation among two major ignimbrites that were previously mapped as separate eruptions of the Latera caldera (Vulsini Volcanic District, Central Italy). The new 40 Ar/ 39 Ar data and paleomagnetic correlations allow merging the Grotte di Castro and Onano formations into a single eruptive event, renamed "Grotte di Castro-Onano," dated at 205 ka. The widespread occurrence of pre-eruptive crystals older than 205 ka in juvenile (syn-eruptive) facies sheds light on emplacement dynamics and magma extraction processes associated with caldera forming events worldwide.PublishedJCR Journa
Dating the growth strata of the Gran Sasso thrust: reassessing the age of the major thrust in the central Apennines, Italy
No full textThe Gran Sasso range in central Italy is the icon of the Apennines, forming the mountain front of the central Apennines. The range consists of Meso-Cenozoic carbonates overthrust onto Messinian foredeep deposits along the Gran Sasso thrust. Despite its geological relevance, the age of thrusting, especially its end, is uncertain. Such age relies on speculative dating of the Rigopiano conglomerate, the youngest growth strata recording the activity of the Gran Sasso thrust, widely believed to be Early Pliocene in age. However, the reliability of this age attribution is low, being based on the supposed occurrence of marine foraminifera, of which there is no publicly available documentation. We reassess the age, depositional environment, and structural significance of the syn-kinematic Rigopiano conglomerate. Our data indicate a Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene age and a continental depositional environment, younging the end of the Gran Sasso thrust activity. This revised age significantly increases the inferred duration of thrusting and points to a coeval activity with the more external thrusts in its footwall.PublishedJCR Journa
Climate change effects at basin-scale: Weathering rates and CO2 consumption assessment by using the reaction path modelling
No full textReaction Path Modelling was used to calculate the fluxes in terms of solutes and CO 2 consumption during the water-rock interaction process at the basin-scale, considering the current and future climate scenarios (temperature and atmospheric CO 2 concentration) and two types of solid reagent (Silicate Solid Reagent-SSR and Carbonate-Silicate Reagent C-SSR). Two modelling were performed considering solid reagents and simulating their weathering in the current climate scenario and two other simulations were developed to consider the future climate scenario (Representative Concentration Pathways-RCP 8.5). The study highlights that although the higher temperature promotes an increase of total dissolved ions (TDS) into riverine waters, the higher temperature also causes a decrease in precipitation and, thus, in the runoff. This condition will lead to a reduction in weathering rate and CO 2 consumption at the basin scale. The main indirect effect of a negative CO 2 consumption budget is a further increase in CO 2 atmospheric concentration.PublishedJCR Journa