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Measurements of 220Rn and 222Rn and CO2 emissions in soil and fumarole gases on Mt. Etna volcano (Italy): Implications for gas transport and shallow ground fracture
Other Titles
220Rn and 222Rn and CO2 flux
Language
English
Obiettivo Specifico
1.2. TTC - Sorveglianza geochimica delle aree vulcaniche attive
4.5. Degassamento naturale
Status
Published
JCR Journal
JCR Journal
Peer review journal
Yes
Title of the book
Issue/vol(year)
8/10 (2007)
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Pages (printed)
Q10001
Issued date
October 4, 2007
Alternative Location
Abstract
Measurements of 220Rn and 222Rn activity and of CO2 flux in soil and fumaroles were carried out on
Mount Etna volcano in 2005–2006, both in its summit area and along active faults on its flanks. We
observe an empirical relationship between (220Rn/222Rn) and CO2 efflux. The higher the flux of CO2, the
lower the ratio between 220Rn and 222Rn. Deep sources of gas are characterized by high 222Rn activity and
high CO2 efflux, whereas shallow sources are indicated by high 220Rn activity and relatively low CO2
efflux. Excess 220Rn highlights sites of ongoing shallow rock fracturing that could be affected by collapse,
as in the case of the rim of an active vent. Depletion both in 220Rn and in CO2 seems to be representative of
residual degassing along recently active eruptive vents.
Mount Etna volcano in 2005–2006, both in its summit area and along active faults on its flanks. We
observe an empirical relationship between (220Rn/222Rn) and CO2 efflux. The higher the flux of CO2, the
lower the ratio between 220Rn and 222Rn. Deep sources of gas are characterized by high 222Rn activity and
high CO2 efflux, whereas shallow sources are indicated by high 220Rn activity and relatively low CO2
efflux. Excess 220Rn highlights sites of ongoing shallow rock fracturing that could be affected by collapse,
as in the case of the rim of an active vent. Depletion both in 220Rn and in CO2 seems to be representative of
residual degassing along recently active eruptive vents.
Sponsors
This work was funded by the Istituto Nazionale di
Geofisica e Vulcanologia (S.G., M.N.) and by the Dipartimento
per la Protezione Civile (Italy), projects V3_6/28-Etna
(M.N.) and V5/08-Diffuse degassing in Italy (S.G.), and NSF
EAR 063824101 (K.W.W.S.).
Geofisica e Vulcanologia (S.G., M.N.) and by the Dipartimento
per la Protezione Civile (Italy), projects V3_6/28-Etna
(M.N.) and V5/08-Diffuse degassing in Italy (S.G.), and NSF
EAR 063824101 (K.W.W.S.).
References
Giammanco, S., K. W. W. Sims, and M. Neri (2007), Measurements of 220Rn and 222Rn and CO2 emissions in soil and
fumarole gases on Mt. Etna volcano (Italy): Implications for gas transport and shallow ground fracture, Geochem. Geophys.
Geosyst., 8, Q10001, doi:10.1029/2007GC001644.
fumarole gases on Mt. Etna volcano (Italy): Implications for gas transport and shallow ground fracture, Geochem. Geophys.
Geosyst., 8, Q10001, doi:10.1029/2007GC001644.
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