Integrated petrochemical and geophysical data reveals thermal distribution of the feeding conduits at Stromboli volcano, Italy

Abstract

Samples of scoriae erupted at Stromboli volcano during its persistent strombolian activity were collected between 2005 and 2008. Chemical and mineralogical compositions were obtained on products erupted from the three main crater sectors (SW, Central and NE). Small chemical variations indicate a different degree of evolution coupled with small difference of magma temperature <10°C. Analysis of the acoustic data for the same time period as the scoria sampling, indicates that puffing (a persistent overpressurized bubble degassing) was, on average, mainly observed at the central craters and at times moved to the NE sector. The cross-check of the two independent data sets allowed us to assess correlation between composition of products and puffing activity at vents. The hotter products are always erupted from the vents where puffing occurs indicating that slightly higher temperature can be the expression of an enhanced two-phase bubble flow dynamics.