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Change in magma supply dynamics identified in observations of soil CO2 emissions in the summit area of Mt. Etna
Author(s)
Language
English
Obiettivo Specifico
2V. Dinamiche di unrest e scenari pre-eruttivi
Status
Published
JCR Journal
JCR Journal
Peer review journal
Yes
Title of the book
Issue/vol(year)
/76(2014)
ISSN
0258-8900
Electronic ISSN
1432-0819
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Pages (printed)
846
Issued date
July 17, 2014
Abstract
We report the results of 16 months of continuous
measurements of soil CO2 flux at a fumarole field in the summit
area of Mt. Etna. The patterns of soil CO2 emissions suggest
two contrasting degassing regimes. During the period of observation,
volcanic activity at the summit craters displayed striking
extremes, ranging from passive to explosive degassing, which
culminated in lava fountains. These changes in activity coincided
with fluctuation between the two degassing patterns.
Building on the findings of previous studies, we propose an
interpretative framework that explains the observed correlation
in terms of a modification of the dynamics of magma supply.
We argue that periods of higher CO2 flux are associated with
deep open system degassing conditions, whereas low-level
CO2 flux signals closed system degassing and less efficient
discharge of deeply exsolved gas. An important implication of
our study is that, in relation to the two degassing regimes, two
types of activity are expected at the summit craters. Thus, our
measurements represent a valuable tool for the evaluation of the
evolution of volcanic activity
measurements of soil CO2 flux at a fumarole field in the summit
area of Mt. Etna. The patterns of soil CO2 emissions suggest
two contrasting degassing regimes. During the period of observation,
volcanic activity at the summit craters displayed striking
extremes, ranging from passive to explosive degassing, which
culminated in lava fountains. These changes in activity coincided
with fluctuation between the two degassing patterns.
Building on the findings of previous studies, we propose an
interpretative framework that explains the observed correlation
in terms of a modification of the dynamics of magma supply.
We argue that periods of higher CO2 flux are associated with
deep open system degassing conditions, whereas low-level
CO2 flux signals closed system degassing and less efficient
discharge of deeply exsolved gas. An important implication of
our study is that, in relation to the two degassing regimes, two
types of activity are expected at the summit craters. Thus, our
measurements represent a valuable tool for the evaluation of the
evolution of volcanic activity
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article
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