Current geodetic deformation of the Colli Albani volcano: a review

Abstract

The quiescent Colli Albano volcano is presently characterized by moderate-intensity earthquakes, seismic swarms, gas emissions and ongoing uplift that reflects the current evidence of its residual activity. An uplift of230 cm over the last 43 years was recently detected by levelling surveys performed in the period 1950–1993 along a levelling line that crosses the highest elevation area of the western flank of the volcano. Space-based GPS and synthetic aperture radar interferometry geodetic observations confirm that this uplift is distributed in a wide area around the craters of Albano and Nemi, where the most recent volcanic activity occurred. GPS data from continuous monitoring stations indicate that both horizontal and vertical deformations do occur and can be addressed to a shallow magmatic source. All the geodetic observations are in agreement and highlight that the Colli Albani is still a potentially active volcano. Being located in a densely populated area close to Rome, the volcano should deserve the same monitoring and hazard assessment effort of any active volcano within urbanized areas. Here we review the geodetic results obtained during the last decades for the Colli Albani volcano.