Signals from the Campi Flegrei hydrothermal system: Role of a ‘‘magmatic’’ source of fluids

Abstract

This is a parametric study that was carried out to investigate the signals generated by a hydrothermal system fed by a pulsating source of magmatic fluids. This study focuses on the effects that selected properties of the source have on the evolution of hydrothermal activity at Campi Flegrei, Italy. Numerical simulations are carried out to describe a multiphase and multicomponent hydrothermal system. Each simulation describes a short unrest phase, followed by a prolonged quiet period. During the unrest, specific properties of the fluid source (flow rate, fluid composition, source size, and unrest duration) are modified with respect to selected baseline values. The evolution of the system is tracked by looking at two parameters that can be monitored in active volcanic areas: the composition of fumarolic gases and gravity changes. The results describe the temporal evolution of these two observables and allow comparisons of the effects of different source properties. All of the simulated unrest events cause measurable changes in gas composition and gravity. For the geometry and system properties considered, these changes always last beyond the end of the unrest period, and can often persist for decades. Fluid flow rate is the source property that mostly affects the observable evolution. Gravity is more sensitive to source properties than gas composition, and it undergoes the largest and quickest changes. The results also highlight the major role that rock properties and initial conditions have in the evolution of these observable signals.