scholarly journals Modulation of Ground Deformation and Earthquakes by Rainfall at Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei (Italy)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Petrosino ◽  
Ciro Ricco ◽  
Ida Aquino

Volcanoes are complex systems whose dynamics is the result of the interplay between endogenous and exogenous processes. External forcing on volcanic activity by seasonal hydrological variations can influence the evolution of a volcanic system; yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In the present study, we analyse ground tilt, seismicity rates and rainfall amount recorded over 6 years (2015–2021) at Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei, two volcanic areas located in the south of Italy. The results indicate that at both volcanoes the ground deformation reflects the seasonality of the hydrological cycles, whereas seismicity shows a seasonal pattern only at Campi Flegrei. A correlation analysis on shorter time scales (days) indicates that at Vesuvius rain and ground tilt are poorly correlated, whereas rain and earthquakes are almost uncorrelated. Instead, at Campi Flegrei precipitations can affect not only ground deformation but also earthquake rate, through the combined action of water loading and diffusion processes in a fractured medium, likely fostered by the interaction with the shallow hydrothermal fluids. Our observations indicate a different behavior between the two volcanic systems: at Vesuvius, rain-induced hydrological variations poorly affect the normal background activity. On the contrary, such variations play a role in modulating the dynamics of those metastable volcanoes with significant hydrothermal system experiencing unrest, like Campi Flegrei.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacopo Natale ◽  
Stefano Vitale ◽  
Roberto Isaia ◽  
Francesco D'Assisi Tramparulo ◽  
Luigi Ferranti ◽  
...  

<p>The Campi Flegrei caldera (southern Italy) is characterized by over one-third of its extension lying below the sea. In the last 15 ka the caldera floor has suffered hundreds of meters of ground deformation alternating uplift and subsidence episodes in response to the activity of the volcanic system. The evidence of significant uplifts is witnessed by the occurrence of marine sequences exposed on land, both along a 30 m high La Starza cliff and in numerous well logs. However, most of these sediments are currently hidden below the sea. This work aims to reconstruct the marine counterpart of the infill by using large multiscale reflection seismic data (>100 profiles) and an accurate seismic facies analysis. The latter consisted in the study and<br>comparison of seismic attributes, scaled to the resolution of the different datasets, to their geological analogs on land. Furthermore, by observing the changes in the pattern of on-lap terminations, thickness, amplitude, and distribution of erosive features of different horizons, we tentatively ascribed these sequences to the well-known continental deposits. The study of the whole sequence above the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff (15 ka) allowed us to gather relevant information about the relationships between stratigraphic record, ground deformation and sea-level changes. In particular, the reconstruction of buried surfaces gave us hints on the evolution of the volcanic system including the role of faults in terms of estimation of displacement and relationships with the different epoch of major eruptive activity.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micol Todesco

Ground deformation at Campi Flegrei has fuelled a long-term scientific debate about its driving mechanism and its significance in hazard assessment. In an active volcanic system hosting a wide hydrothermal circulation, both magmatic and hydrothermal fluids could be responsible, to variable degrees, for the observed ground displacement. Fast and large uplifts are commonly interpreted in terms of pressure or volume changes associated with magma intrusion, while minor, slower displacement can be related to shallower sources. This work focuses on the deformation history of the last 35 years and shows that ground deformation measured at Campi Flegrei since 1985 is consistent with a poroelastic response of a shallow hydrothermal system to changes in pore pressure and fluid content. The extensive literature available for Campi Flegrei allows constraining system geometry, properties, and conditions. Changes in pore pressure and fluid content necessary to cause the observed deformation can then be calculated based on the linear theory of poroelasticity. The predicted pore pressure evolution and fluid fluxes are plausible and consistent with available measurements and independent estimates.


Geosciences ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ciro Ricco ◽  
Simona Petrosino ◽  
Ida Aquino ◽  
Carlo Del Gaudio ◽  
Mariarosaria Falanga

In the present paper, we analyse ground tilt and seismicity at Campi Flegrei caldera and Ischia Island, two volcanic areas located in the south of Italy. These areas have been well studied for many years from a petrological, volcanological and geophysical view point. Moreover, due to the high seismic and volcanic risk for the populations living there, they are continuously monitored by networks of geophysical and geochemical sensors. We summarize the most important results that we obtained so far, concerning the observations of relationships between seismic activity and ground tilt anomalies, focusing on the time interval 2015–2018. First, we present a detailed description of the tiltmeter and seismic networks in both the investigated areas, as well as their development and improvement over time that has enabled high quality data collection. From the joint analysis of the seismic and borehole tiltmeter signals, we often notice concurrence between tilt pattern variations and the occurrence of seismicity. Moreover, the major tilt anomalies appear to be linked with the rate and energy of volcano-tectonic earthquakes, as well as with exogenous phenomena like solid Earth tides and hydrological cycles. The analysis that we present has potential applicability to other volcanic systems. Our findings show how the joint use tilt and seismic data can contribute to better understanding of the dynamics of volcanoes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Costa ◽  
M. A. Di Vito ◽  
G. P. Ricciardi ◽  
V. C. Smith ◽  
P. Talamo

AbstractThe Campi Flegrei volcano (or Phlegraean Fields), Campania, Italy, generated the largest eruption in Europe in at least 200 ka. Here we summarise the volcanic and human history of Campi Flegrei and discuss the interactions between humans and the environment within the “burning fields” from around 10,000 years until the 1538 CE Monte Nuovo eruption and more recent times. The region’s incredibly rich written history documents how the landscape changed both naturally and anthropogenically, with the volcanic system fuelling these considerable natural changes. Humans have exploited the beautiful landscape, accessible resources (e.g. volcanic ash for pulvis puteolana mortar) and natural thermal springs associated with the volcano for millennia, but they have also endured the downsides of living in a volcanically active region—earthquakes, significant ground deformation and landscape altering eruptions. The pre-historic record is detailed, and various archaeological sites indicate that the region was certainly occupied in the last 10,000 years. This history has been reconstructed by identifying archaeological finds in sequences that often contain ash (tephra) layers from some of the numerous volcanic eruptions from Campi Flegrei and the other volcanoes in the region that were active at the time (Vesuvius and Ischia). These tephra layers provide both a relative and absolute chronology and allow the archaeology to be placed on a relatively precise timescale. The records testify that people have inhabited the area even when Campi Flegrei was particularly active. The archaeological sequences and outcrops of pyroclastic material preserve details about the eruption dynamics, buildings from Roman times, impressive craters that now host volcanic lakes and nature reserves, all of which make this region particularly mystic and fascinating, especially when we observe how society continues to live within the active caldera system. The volcanic activity and long record of occupation and use of volcanic resources in the region make it unique and here we outline key aspects of its geoheritage.


2014 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Prospero De Martino ◽  
Umberto Tammaro ◽  
Francesco Obrizzo

<p>The Campi Flegrei caldera is an active volcanic system associated to a high volcanic risk, and represents a well known and peculiar example of ground deformations (bradyseism), characterized by intense uplift periods, followed by subsidence phases with some episodic superimposed mini-uplifts. Ground deformation is an important volcanic precursor, and, its continuous monitoring, is one of the main tool for short time forecast of eruptive activity. This paper provides an overview of the continuous GPS monitoring of the Campi Flegrei caldera from January 2000 to July 2013, including network operations, data recording and processing, and data products. In this period the GPS time series allowed continuous and accurate tracking of ground deformation of the area. Seven main uplift episodes were detected, and during each uplift period, the recurrent horizontal displacement pattern, radial from the “caldera center”, suggests no significant change in deformation source geometry and location occurs. The complete archive of GPS time series at Campi Flegrei area is reported in the Supplementary materials. These data can be usefull for the scientific community in improving the research on Campi Flegrei caldera dynamic and hazard assessment.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Tramelli ◽  
C. Godano ◽  
P. Ricciolino ◽  
F. Giudicepietro ◽  
S. Caliro ◽  
...  

AbstractThe knowledge of the dynamic of the Campi Flegrei calderic system is a primary goal to mitigate the volcanic risk in one of the most densely populated volcanic areas in the world. From 1950 to 1990 Campi Flegrei suffered three bradyseismic crises with a total uplift of 4.3 m. After 20 years of subsidence, the uplift started again in 2005 accompained by a low increment of the seismicity rate. In 2012 an increment in the seismic energy release and a variation in the gas composition of the fumaroles of Solfatara (in the central area of the caldera) were recorded. Since then, a slow and progressive increase in phenomena continued until today. We analyze the INGV - Osservatorio Vesuviano seismic catalogue of Campi Flegrei from 2000 to 2020 in order to look for any variation in the seismic parameters and compare them with geochemical monitored ones. A remarkable correlation between independent variables of earthquake cumulative number, CO/CO2 values and vertical ground deformation reveals a likely common origin. Moreover the correlation between all the variables here analysed enlightens that the same origin can cause the temporal behavior of all these variables. We interpret the seismological, geochemical and geodetic observable in terms of the injection of magmatic fluids into the hydrothermal system or its pressurization.


Solid Earth ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Heap ◽  
P. Baud ◽  
P. G. Meredith ◽  
S. Vinciguerra ◽  
T. Reuschlé

Abstract. The accuracy of ground deformation modelling at active volcanoes is a principal requirement in volcanic hazard mitigation. However, the reliability of such models relies on the accuracy of the rock physical property (permeability and elastic moduli) input parameters. Unfortunately, laboratory-derived values on representative rocks are usually rare. To this end we have performed a systematic laboratory study on the influence of pressure and temperature on the permeability and elastic moduli of samples from the two most widespread lithified pyroclastic deposits at the Campi Flegrei volcanic district, Italy. Our data show that the water permeability of Neapolitan Yellow Tuff and a tuff from the Campanian Ignimbrite differ by about 1.5 orders of magnitude. As pressure (depth) increases beyond the critical point for inelastic pore collapse (at an effective pressure of 10–15 MPa, or a depth of about 750 m), permeability and porosity decrease significantly, and ultrasonic wave velocities and dynamic elastic moduli increase significantly. Increasing the thermal stressing temperature increases the permeability and decreases the ultrasonic wave velocities and dynamic elastic moduli of the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff; whereas the tuff from the Campanian Ignimbrite remains unaffected. This difference is due to the presence of thermally unstable zeolites within the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff. For both rocks we also find, under the same pressure conditions, that the dynamic (calculated from ultrasonic wave velocities) and static (calculated from triaxial stress-strain data) elastic moduli differ significantly. The choice of elastic moduli in ground deformation modelling is therefore an important consideration. While we urge that these new laboratory data should be considered in routine ground deformation modelling, we highlight the challenges for ground deformation modelling based on the heterogeneous nature (vertically and laterally) of the rocks that comprise the caldera at Campi Flegrei.


Geosciences ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Simona Tripaldi ◽  
Sergio Scippacercola ◽  
Annarita Mangiacapra ◽  
Zaccaria Petrillo

The recent signs of reawakening at Campi Flegrei caldera (Southern Italy) received a great deal of attention due to the issues related to the volcanic risk management in a densely populated area. This paper explores relations between ground deformations, seismicity and geochemical time series in the time span 2004–2016. The aim is to unravel primary processes of unrest and the related indicators which may change in time. Data structure and interactions among variables were examined applying the clustering analysis, the correlations and the Granger causality test. The hierarchical agglomerative clustering detected two sub-periods which were further investigated. In both sub-period causal links were observed between variables while correlations did not appear and vice versa. Thus, well established formal approaches are required to study causal relations. Granger test results indicate that during 2004–2011 the awakening unrest could be mainly ascribed to hydrothermal system pressure fluctuations, probably induced by deep-rooted fluids injection, and that ground deformation together with CO2/H2O appears the most suitable geo-indicators. The 2011–2016 sub-period is characterized by enhanced dynamical connectivity. Granger test results suggest that the unrest is driven by a more localized and shallower thermohydromechanical engine. CO/CO2, He/CH4 and ground deformation velocity are mutually interacting appearing the most suitable geo-indicators.


2011 ◽  
Vol 187 (2) ◽  
pp. 833-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Troiano ◽  
M.G. Di Giuseppe ◽  
Z. Petrillo ◽  
C. Troise ◽  
G. De Natale

Solid Earth ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 557-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Coco ◽  
J. Gottsmann ◽  
F. Whitaker ◽  
A. Rust ◽  
G. Currenti ◽  
...  

Abstract. Ground deformation and gravity changes in restless calderas during periods of unrest can signal an impending eruption and thus must be correctly interpreted for hazard evaluation. It is critical to differentiate variation of geophysical observables related to volume and pressure changes induced by magma migration from shallow hydrothermal activity associated with hot fluids of magmatic origin rising from depth. In this paper we present a numerical model to evaluate the thermo-poroelastic response of the hydrothermal system in a caldera setting by simulating pore pressure and thermal expansion associated with deep injection of hot fluids (water and carbon dioxide). Hydrothermal fluid circulation is simulated using TOUGH2, a multicomponent multiphase simulator of fluid flows in porous media. Changes in pore pressure and temperature are then evaluated and fed into a thermo-poroelastic model (one-way coupling), which is based on a finite-difference numerical method designed for axi-symmetric problems in unbounded domains.Informed by constraints available for the Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy), a series of simulations assess the influence of fluid injection rates and mechanical properties on the hydrothermal system, uplift and gravity. Heterogeneities in hydrological and mechanical properties associated with the presence of ring faults are a key determinant of the fluid flow pattern and consequently the geophysical observables. Peaks (in absolute value) of uplift and gravity change profiles computed at the ground surface are located close to injection points (namely at the centre of the model and fault areas). Temporal evolution of the ground deformation indicates that the contribution of thermal effects to the total uplift is almost negligible with respect to the pore pressure contribution during the first years of the unrest, but increases in time and becomes dominant after a long period of the simulation. After a transient increase over the first years of unrest, gravity changes become negative and decrease monotonically towards a steady-state value.Since the physics of the investigated hydrothermal system is similar to any fluid-filled reservoir, such as oil fields or CO2 reservoirs produced by sequestration, the generic formulation of the model will allow it to be employed in monitoring and interpretation of deformation and gravity data associated with other geophysical hazards that pose a risk to human activity.


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