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First evidence of a geodetic anomaly in the Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy) ground deformation pattern revealed by DInSAR and GNSS measurements during the 2021–2023 escalating unrest phase
No full textCampi Flegrei caldera is an Italian high-risk volcano experiencing a progressively more intense long-term uplift,
accompanied by increasing seismicity and geochemical emissions over the last two decades. Ground deformation
shows an axisymmetric bell-shaped pattern, with a maximum uplift of about 120 cm, from 2005, in the caldera
central area. We analyzed Sentinel-1 and COSMO-SkyMed Multi-Temporal DInSAR measurements and GNSS data
to reveal and investigate a geodetic anomaly that has clearly manifested since 2021, locally deviating from the
typical bell-shaped deformation pattern. This anomaly is located east of Pozzuoli town, in the Mt. Olibano-–Accademia area, covers an area of about 1.3 km
and shows, in comparison to surrounding areas, a maximum uplift deficit of about 9 cm between 2021 and 2023. To investigate the anomaly causes, we analyzed the caldera
seismicity and inverted the DInSAR data to determine the primary source of the ground deformation pattern,
which is consistent with a penny-shaped source located approximately 3800 m beneath the Pozzuoli town, with a
radius of about 1200 m. We also found that the time evolution of the uplift deficit in the geodetic anomaly area
correlates well with the earthquake occurrence, with the greater magnitude events clustering in this area. These
considerations suggest the geodetic anomaly is a local response to the tensile stress regime produced by the
inflating primary deformation source. This phenomenon can be influenced by the Mt. Olibano–Accademia lava
domes lithological heterogeneities that may induce a localized reaction to ground deformation during the in
flationary phase. Our interpretation aligns with the concentration of earthquakes and hydrothermal fluid
emissions in this area, indicating the presence of faults, fractures, and fluid circulation. Accordingly, the geodetic
anomaly area represents a zone of crustal weakness that requires careful monitoring and study.Published104060JCR Journa
Lava flow field development and lava tube formation during the 1858–1861 eruption of Vesuvius (Italy), unravelled by historical documentation, lidar data and 3D mapping
No full textSomma-Vesuvius is well known for its powerful Plinian explosive eruptions, however during the last eruptive cycle (1631-1944), persistent activity took place on the stratovolcano as mild and violent Strombolian, and effusive eruptions, forming more than one hundred lava flow fields. An important mechanism of lava transport within lava flow fields is the formation and development of lava tubes. The presence of lava tubes in a flow field can greatly increase their distance of emplacement. Observations of lava tubes
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at Vesuvius have been documented in historical records and speleological reports but no modern scientific studies are available. This work focuses on lava tubes formed in the compound lava flow field of the long-lived 1858 eruption (from 27 May 1858 to 12 April 1861) that was fed by seven eruptive fissures. The temporal and spatial evolution of the 1858 lava flow field was reconstructed using historical documentation. The exposed lava flow field surface was analysed using a 1-m resolution lidar Digital Surface Model (DSM). Surveys to fully digitize the interior and the overlying surface of the largest lava tube found in the 1858 lava flow field were conducted using a terrestrial laser scanner, optical cameras, and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The accurate 3D model obtained was used to precisely quantify the inner dimensions and to better constrain the morphologies of the lava tube. Observed internal features were described and used to gain information on the formation and activity of the lava tube. Our data allowed us to understand that the described lava tube formed as an inflated lava flow inside which lava flowed through during an extended period ultimately draining out completely at the end of the eruption. Understanding how lava flow fields develop and how lava tubes form on Vesuvius is crucial to re-evaluate the last effusive activity of the volcano and its impact on hazard assessment.This research was funded by the project “UndersTanding lava tUBe formation and prEServation (TUBES)” PRIN – Bando 2022 PNRR Prot. P2022N55C3 (P.I. D. Morgavi). This research was also partially funded by the Project FIRST-ForecastIng eRuptive activity at Stromboli volcano: Timing, eruptive style, size, intensity, and duration; INGV-Progetto Strategico Dipartimento Vulcani 2019 (Deliberata n. 144/2020).Published108197OSV1: Verso la previsione dei fenomeni vulcanici pericolosiJCR Journa
The temperatures recorded from January 2020 to February 2023 in the 3 Diffuse Degassing Zone of the active cone of La Fossa Caldera
No full textActive volcanoes show many mild thermal anomalies, because the ground surface is sensible to changes in the advective processes, occurring through the network of fissures. This data report shows the temperatures, recorded from January 2020 to February 2023, by a remote-controlled monitoring station. The VCS station is located on the summit of La Fossa cone (Vulcano, Aeolian Islands), in a zone of intense diffuse degassing. The temperature data, hourly registered at VCS, are available in the supplementary Excel file. The thermal data are part of the comprehensive network, performed by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, for volcanic surveillance. On the Island of Vulcano, the active volcanic system under la Fossa caldera has been affected by multiple exhaling crises, interpreted as unrest of volcanic activity. The temperature time series provided reference data showing the thermal transition of the volcanic ground surface from a background degassing condition, through unrest, to the new thermal condition that followed the unrest period.OvFu 0304.010 - Italian Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri—Dipartimento della Protezione
CivilePublished40OSV2: Complessità dei processi vulcanici: approcci multidisciplinari e multiparametriciJCR Journa
Characterizing the Sardinia candidate site for the Einstein Telescope
No full textDue to its unique geophysical features and to the low density population of the area, Sos Enattos is a promising candidate site to host the Einstein Telescope (ET), the third-generation Gravitational Wave Observatory. The geophysical characterization of the Sos Enattos former mine, close to one of the proposed ET corners, started in 2010 with the deployment of seismic and environmental sensors underground. Since 2019 a new extensive array of seismometers, magnetometers and acoustic sensors have been installed in three stations along the underground tunnels, with one additional station at the surface. Beside a new geological survey over a wider area, two boreholes about 270 m deep each were excavated at the other two corners, determining the good quality of the drilled granite and orthogneiss rocks and the absence of significant thoroughgoing fault zones. These boreholes are instrumented with broadband seismometers that revealed an outstanding low level of vibrational noise in the low-frequency band of ET-LF (2-10Hz), significantly lower than the Peterson's NLNM and resulting among the quietest seismic stations in the world in that frequency band. The low seismic background and the reduced number of seismic glitches ensure that just a moderated Newtonian noise subtraction would be needed to achieve the ET target sensitivity. Geoelectrical and active seismic campaigns have been carried out to reveal the features of the subsurface, revealing the presence of small-sized fractured areas with limited water circulation. Finally, temporary arrays of seismometers, magnetometers and acoustic sensors are deployed in the area to study the local sources of environmental noise.Published110OST5 Verso un nuovo MonitoraggioN/A or not JC
PROMETHEUS: Probability in the Mediterranean of Tephra dispersal for various grain sizes. A tool for the evaluation of the completeness of the volcanic record in medial-distal archives
No full textPROMETHEUS is a statistical tool that allows creating maps showing the probability of finding tephra deposits of different grain sizes, originating from eruptions of a specific volcanic source, at any location around the vent. It couples wind profiles at different heights in the Mediterranean area with terminal velocity of volcanic particles. The input parameters include the height of the eruption column (which characterizes the intensity of the eruption), wind statistics (directions and intensities), and tephra deposits of a selected grain size. In particular, we used the parameterizations provided by Costa et al. (2016) and performed simulations using the HAZMAP tephra dispersal model to determine the maximum reachable distances that tephra can cover under weak, medium, and strong wind conditions (e.g. 7, 30, and 70 m/s velocities at the tropopause) and with column heights of 10, 20, and 30 km, depositing of at least the loading corresponding to 0.1 mm (corresponding to cryptotephra). Three alternative configurations of the model are validated analyzing first the eruptive source of Somma Vesuvius, with the related explosive eruptions from 22 ka Pomici di Base to the 1944 eruption. A further validation is made by comparing the probabilistic maps with the tephrostratigraphy of known marine and terrestrial cores using standard test of proportions (binomial distributions) and the binary logistic regression model, statistically quantifying the effectiveness of the model against the tephrostratigraphy recorded within this time frame. Based on this validation, a preferred configuration of PROMETHEUS is selected. PROMETHEUS probability maps will guide the selection of sampling sites for specific tephra deposits and could also support the study of the completeness of overall eruption catalogs over time.Published108031OSV2: Complessità dei processi vulcanici: approcci multidisciplinari e multiparametriciJCR Journa
The harsh life of an earthquake in the region that doesn't exist
No full textBaratta's sources are respectively a summary of the Bologna Gazette published by De Rossi (1889) and a brief mention of Campobasso by Sarnelli (1716).
In the Postpischl (1985) catalogue, these pieces of information are summarized into an event dated generically to May 1712, located in Bojano, with an epicentral intensity of VIII MCS (Tab. 1).
Year Mo Da Ho Mi Lat Lon Int Ref Epic. Zone
POS85 1712 5 - - 41 30 14 30 VIII 75 BOIANO
CPTI15 1712 05 08 - - 41.561 14.660 6-7 AMGNDT995 Campobasso
Tab. 1 – The earthquake of May 1712 in the catalogues by Postpischl (1985) and Rovida et al. (2022)
In the early 1990s, in the frame of the “Hazard Project” - that led to the compilation of various versions of the parametric catalogue, along with the in-depth study of many hundreds of medium-high-energy earthquakes - approximately 250 earthquakes were swiftly reviewed through a simple verification of seismological compilations. These revisions were then synthesized a few years ago in the data sheets called AMGNDT995 [Macroseismic Archive GNDT, 1995].
The AMGNDT995 data sheet dedicated to the 1712 earthquake considers various information not clearly attributable to a single event and downgrades the earthquake, dated May 8th, locating it in Campobasso with an epicentral intensity uncertain between VI and VII MCS. The study suggests that the assertion that houses and churches were 'ruined' refers to a level of moderate, non-structural damage. This interpretation has been incorporated into the CPTI catalogue in its various versions.
Recently, in the frame of a research project aimed at improving the preliminary AMGNDT995 studies, the case of the 1712 earthquake has been reopened, following the report of the presence of the cult of San Michele in Ripalimosani, connected to the averted danger during an earthquake dated May 1712 [Mascia, 2000].
Along with this reference, attributed to an oral tradition, similar references have been identified respectively in Lucito and Monteodorisio. To verify this information and deepen the research, two avenues were pursued: the first, at the local level, aimed at verifying local historiography and archival evidence. Unfortunately, the research on this front has not progressed as it was hoped. The consultation of materials stored at the State Archive of Campobasso was unsuccessful. It was impossible to examine the documents preserved at the Provincial Library "P. Albino", that has been closed to the public for several years due to technical and structural problems (it is still unclear if and when it will be reopened). The Diocesan Historical Library "V. Fusco" was also consulted, with negative results. Luckily enough, however, additional journalistic sources ([Gazzetta di] Bologna, 1712.05.24; 1712.06.14; [Avvisi di] Napoli, 1712.05.14; 1712.05.17; Il Corriere Ordinario, 1712.06.08) were found, which significantly enriched the information framework (Tab. 2).
Overall, this is certainly a very interesting and complex situation regarding a certainly important earthquake that affected a very large area of central Italy (Fig. 1).
Year Mo Da Ho Mi Localities Lat Lon Is
1712 05 08 04 30 Campobasso 41.561 14.660 7
1712 05 08 04 30 Avellino 40.914 14.793 6
1712 05 08 04 30 Benevento 41.131 14.778 6
1712 05 08 04 30 Piedimonte Matese 41.354 14.371 6
1712 05 08 04 30 Alife 41.328 14.331 6
1712 05 08 04 30 Napoli 40.849 14.25 4-5
1712 05 08 04 30 Piedimonte San Germano 41.496 13.749 3
1712 05 08 04 30 Chieti 42.352 14.168
HF
1712 05 08 04 30 Lucito 41.731 14.688 HF?
1712 05 08 04 30 Monteodorisio 42.086 14.652 HF?
1712 05 08 04 30 Ripalimosani 41.613 14.666 HF?
Tab. 2 – Intensity observed for the earthquake of 8 May 1712
This case, certainly not unique, is exemplary of a very broad research space that would require a long-term work plan today. The current Italian parametric catalogue, despite being among the most advanced in the world, contains many hundreds of earthquakes with extremely poor basic data, which should be completely reassessed. At the same time, data losses, informational gaps, and misunderstandings are always possible and would deserve work from a long-term perspective, a condition that today appears entirely illusory.SubmittedUniversità di Ferrara - Polo Scientifico Tecnologico
Via Giuseppe Saragat, 1, 44122 Ferrara FEOST1 Alla ricerca dei Motori Geodinamic
Fingerprinting Mediterranean hurricanes using pre-event thermal drops in seawater temperature
No full textExtreme atmospheric-marine events, known as medicanes (short for "Mediterranean hurricanes"), have affected the Mediterranean basin in recent years, resulting in extensive coastal flooding and storm surges, and have occasionally been responsible for several casualties. Considering that the development mechanism of these events is similar to tropical cyclones, it is plausible that these phenomena are strongly affected by sea surface temperatures (SSTs) during their development period (winter and autumn seasons). In this study, we compared satellite data and the numerical reanalysis of SSTs from 1969 to 2023 with in situ data from dataloggers installed at different depths off the coast of southeastern Sicily as well as from data available on Argo floats on the Mediterranean basin. A spectral analysis was performed using a continuous wavelet transform (CWT) for each SST time series to highlight the changes in SSTs prior to the occurrence of Mediterranean Hurricanes as well as the energy content of the various frequencies of the SST signal. The results revealed that decreases in SST occurred prior to the formation of each Mediterranean hurricane, and that this thermal drop phenomenon was not observed in intense extra-tropical systems. The spectral analyses revealed that high CWT coefficients representing high SST energy contents were observed before the occurrence of a Mediterranean hurricane. This information may provide a useful fingerprint for distinguishing Mediterranean hurricanes from common seasonal storms at the onset of these events.Published8014OSA4: Ambiente marino, fascia costiera ed Oceanografia operativaJCR Journa
The spatial distribution and evolution of volcanic vents in monogenetic fields in active extensional tectonic setting: Examples from the northern Main Ethiopian Rift (Ethiopia)
No full textMonogenetic volcanic fields are present in different geo-tectonic settings (subduction, divergence and intraplate
settings) consisting of tens to hundreds of volcanic constructs (cones, maars, fissures, small shields) that are the
physical expression of distributed volcanism.
Notably, the spatial distribution of the volcanic constructs in volcanic fields often shows a spatial clustering
that is thought to be linked to shallow (i.e., crustal strain, structural inheritance) and deep processes (i.e., magma
input, composition and rheology). Noteworthy, the spatial distribution of vents (cones, maars, fissures, small
shields) is the final frame of the history of the volcanic field and does not provide information about its timeevolution.
Consequently, when a vent spatial clustering is assessed for a particular volcanic field two questions remain
unanswered: i) have the vents always been clustered during the life of the volcanic field? ii) If not, when did the
clustering of vents begin? To answer these questions, the spatial distributions of vents along with their
morphologic classification have been applied to volcanic fields located in an active tectonic and volcanic area.
The northern Main Ethiopian Rift, being its geo-tectonic setting and its geologic evolution well known, is the
locale where the time evolution of vent spatial clustering can be investigated. Spatial distribution and
morphometric analysis of vents have been applied to three well known monogenetic volcanic fields (Debre Zeyt,
Wonji and Kone) in the northern Main Ethiopian Rift. Vent clustering initiated when about 60% of the vents
formed within each of the above mentioned fields. The Kone volcanic field show vent clustering since the
beginning suggesting that, within a specific tectonic setting, vent clustering is favoured by crustal strain partitioning
and associated volcanic activity.Published108093OST1 Alla ricerca dei Motori GeodinamiciJCR Journa
Tracking the 2007–2023 magma-driven unrest at Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy)
No full textUnderstanding and managing unrest at a volcano include i) ascertaining the magmatic distribution and migration, and ii) tracking the evolution of the shallow plumbing system. Here we use multi-technique geodetic data, mechanical models, and petrological simulations to define both aspects for the ongoing (2005-present) unrest at Campi Flegrei caldera, Italy. Results show a deformation source exhibiting progressive widening and shallowing, from 5.9 to 3.9 kilometres. Concurrently, a deeper tabular source at 8 km depth experiences limited but constant deflation. Petrological calculations explain inflation of the shallower source resulting from the rise of 0.06 to 0.22 cubic kilometres of magma from depth ≥8 kilometres. Our analysis provides strong evidence that magma ascent to depths shallower than 8 kilometres is the ultimate driver behind the ongoing unrest. This merging of geodetic and petrological approaches to track the evolution of a plumbing system better constrains magma ascent at volcanoes experiencing unrest.Published506JCR Journa
Testing paleomagnetic dating on pre‐hstoric flank eruptions from SE slope of Etna volcano
No full textDuring the last 20 kyr, the Etna volcano has been characterized by almost continuous summit eruptions and by less frequent—yet definitely more destructive—flank eruptions issuing at <1,000 m asl altitudes and reaching the Ionian Sea. The chronological framework of pre‐historic (pre‐2,750 yr BP) flank eruptions is supported only by few radiometric and paleomagnetic ages. Here we paleomagnetically investigated 15 Holocene lava flows from SE Etna lower slopes and dated 12 of them. Paleomagnetic dating at Etna relies on best method pre‐requisites: European location where reference geomagnetic models are well defined, and detailed stratigraphic evidence is available. We sampled 45 sites (450 oriented cores) from lavas loosely constrained in the 19,000–2,000 yr BP age window. Ten eruptions yielded a minimum 40% refinement with respect to initial age constraints, with four lava flows achieving refinement up to 90%. We obtained 620–1,398 yr (998 yr on average) dating accuracy for three flows bracketed in relatively short (1,398–1,644 yr) independent age constraints. By contrast, five flows characterized by longer 6,567–7,439 yr initial age windows yielded multiple age solutions. Finally, four lava flows with 1,644–6,567 yr‐long initial age windows were tightly dated with 120–680 yr age ranges. We conclude that at volcanoes where best paleomagnetic dating prerequisite are fulfilled, singular solutions are expected for 30% of the analyzed flows and, significant refinements for the others. Seven kyr seems to represent an independent age window threshold length to get or not significant dating refinements.Publishede2023JB028314JCR Journa