The high resolution bathymetric map of the exhalative area of Panarea (Aeolian Islands, Italy)

Abstract

On November 3, 2002 a shallow submarine gas eruption occurred in an area of 2.3 km2 east of Panarea (Aeolian volcanic arc, Southern Thyrrenian Sea, Italy). The exhalative area, surrounded by the islets of Dattilo, Panarelli, Lisca Bianca, Bottaro and Lisca Nera, has been known since historical times for the hydrothermal activity related to the Panarea volcanic complex. Due to the exceptional characteristics of the phenomenon, different geological, geochemical, geophysical and studies were carried out in this still poorly known volcanic area. A particular effort was devoted to producing a high resolution bathymetric map that also aimed to estimate the amount and location of the active exhalative centers and their variations in space and time. Data were obtained by three RTK multibeam surveys performed between December 2002 and December 2003. Here we show and discuss the technical details of the bathymetric surveys, the bathymetric map at 0.5 m resolution, and the accurate location of the 606 main exhalative centres active during the 2002-2003 crisis. The bathymetric data and the maps show two prevailing principal NE-SW and NW-SE alignments that match the spatial distribution of the exhalation centres. The accurate positioning at submeter accuracy of the gas vents is useful in the monitoring activity and to study their temporal and spatial variability.