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Vita, Fabio
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Vita, Fabio
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- PublicationOpen AccessThe Extensive Parameters as a Tool to Monitoring the Volcanic Activity: The Case Study of Vulcano Island (Italy)(2022-03-05)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; On Vulcano Island (Italy), many geochemical crises have occurred during the last 130 years of solfataric activity. The main crises occurred in 1978–1980, 1988–1991, 1996, 2004–2007, 2009–2010 and the ongoing 2021 anomalous degassing activity. These crises have been characterized by early signals of resuming degassing activity, measurable by the increase of volatiles and energy output emitted from the summit areas of the active cone, and particularly by increases of gas/water ratios in the fumarolic area at the summit. In any case, a direct rather than linear correspondence has been observed among the observed increase in the fluid output, seismic release and ground deformation, and is still a subject of study. We present here the results obtained by the long-term monitoring (over 13 years of observations) of three extensive parameters: the SO2 flux monitored in the volcanic plume, the soil CO2 flux and the local heat flux, monitored in the mild thermal anomaly located to the east of the high-temperature fumarole. The time variations of these parameters showed cyclicity in the volcanic degassing and a general increase in the trend in the last period. In particular, we focused on the changes in the mass and energy output registered in the period of June–December 2021, to offer in near-real-time the first evaluation of the level and duration of the actual exhalative crisis affecting Vulcano Island. In this last event, a clear change in degassing style was recorded for the volatiles emitted by the magma. For example, the flux of diffused CO2 from the soils reached the maximum never-before-recorded value of 34,000 g m−2 d −1 and the flux of SO2 of the plume emitted by the fumarolic field on the summit crater area reached values higher than 200 t d−1 . The interpretation of the behavior of this volcanic system, resulting from the detailed analyses of these continuous monitoring data, will complete the framework of observations and help in defining and possibly forecasting the next evolution of the actual exhaling crisis.380 66 - PublicationRestrictedTotal CO2 output from Vulcano Island (Aeolian Islands, Italy)(2012-02-29)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;Inguaggiato, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Mazot, A.; GNS Science Wairakei Research Center; New Zealamd ;Diliberto, I. S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Inguaggiato, C.; Universita' di Palermo, Italy ;Madonia, P.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Rouwet, D.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Vita, F.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; ; ; ; ; ; Total CO2 output from fumaroles, soil gas, bubbling gas discharges and water dissolved gases discharged from the island, was estimated for Vulcano island, Italy. The CO2 emission from fumaroles from the La Fossa summit crater was estimated from the SO2 crater output, while CO2 discharged through diffuse soil emission was quantified on the basis of 730 measurements of CO2 fluxes from the soil of the island, performed by using the accumulation chamber method. The results indicate an overall output of ≅500 t/day of CO2 from the island. The main contribution to the total CO2 output comes from the summit area of the La Fossa cone (453 t/day), with 362 t/day from crater fumaroles and 91 t/day from crater soil degassing. The release of CO2 from peripheral areas is ≅20 t/day by soil degassing (Palizzi and Istmo areas mainly), an amount comparable to both the contribution of water dissolved CO2 (6 t/day), as well as to seawater bubbling CO2 (4 t/day measured in the Istmo area). Presented data (September 2007) refer to a period of moderate solphataric activity, when the fumaroles temperature were 450°C and gas/water molar ratio of fumaroles was up to 0.16. The calculated total CO2 emission allows the estimation of the mass release and related thermal energy from the volcanic-hydrothermal system.458 44 - PublicationOpen AccessGeochemical evidence of the renewal of volcanic activity: the 2007 Stromboli (Italy) eruption(2008-12-15)
; ; ; ; ; ; ;Inguaggiato, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Vita, F.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Bobrowski, N.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Rouwet, D.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Sollami, A.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Morici, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; ; ; ; ; Geochemical surveillance has been carried out at Stromboli since 1999 using discrete and continuous monitoring of thermal waters and soil degassing. On 27 February 2007 a new eruption began which lasted until 2 April; it was characterized by effusive activity on the Sciara del Fuoco and also by a paroxistic event (15 March). This crisis represented an opportunity to refine the model developed previously and to improve our understanding of the relationship between the magmatic dynamics of the volcano and geochemical variations. The main aim of this research was to evaluate the level of criticality of the volcanic activity. The SO2 fluxes of the degassing plume and the CO2 fluxes emitted from the soil at Pizzo Sopra la Fossa are herein presented. Furthermore, we propose a refined geochemical model of fluids circulation, including plume and summit fumarolic soil degassing. Noteworthy geochemical signals of volcanic unrest were also clearly identified (before, during and after the effusive activity) in the degassing plume as well as in the degassing from the soil at the summit.209 78 - PublicationOpen AccessIncreasing Summit Degassing at the Stromboli Volcano and Relationships with Volcanic Activity (2016–2018)(2019-04)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; The last increased volcanic activity of the Stromboli volcano, from 2016 to 2018, was characterized by increases in the number and frequency of crater explosions and by episodes of lava overflow. The volcanic activity was monitored utilizing CO2 soil fluxes acquired from the Stromboli summit area (STR02 station). To better understand the behavior of the shallow plumbing system of the Stromboli volcano in the period of 2016–2018, we utilized a large data set spanning from 2000 to 2018. The data in this last period confirm a long growing trend of CO2 summit degassing, already observed in the years since 2005 (reaching 23,000 g m2 d1). Moreover, within this increasing trend, episodes of sudden and sharp increases in the degassing rate, up to 24.2 g m2 d2 were recorded, which are correlated with the observed paroxysmal activity (increased summit explosions and overflow).351 29 - PublicationOpen AccessSulfur origin and flux variations in fumarolic fluids of Vulcano Island, Italy(2023-08-02)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;; ; ;A sharp increase in volatiles, especially SO2 fluxes from the solfataric plume and diffuse CO2 from the soils of the La Fossa crater area, started in June 2021, and subsequently from the Levante Bay area, suggests renewed unrest at Vulcano Island, Italy. This event has encouraged monitoring activities and stimulated new research activities aimed at understanding the recent evolution of the volcanic system. In this study, the chemical and isotopic composition of fumaroles, thermal waters, and soil gases from the main degassing areas of Vulcano Island with a special focus on sulfur isotopes, are used to investigate the fluid transfer mechanism inside the volcano. Sulfur is one of the most abundant volatile elements present in magmas and volcanic fluids from the La Fossa crater, where it mostly occurs as SO2 and H2S at variable relative concentrations depending on oxygen fugacity and temperature. The isotope composition and the chemical ratio of sulfur species depict a complex hydrothermal-magmatic system. In addition, we utilize the installed SO2 monitoring network that measures the total outgassing of SO2 with the UV-scanning DOAS technique. The SO2 fluxes from the La Fossa crater fumaroles, coupled with the SO2/CO2 and SO2/H2O ratios, were measured to evaluate the total mass of fluids emitted by the shallow plumbing system and its relationship with the status of volcanic activity. Combining the whole chemical composition of fumaroles analyzed with a discrete, direct sampling of high-temperature fumaroles located on the crater summit, the output of discharged water vapor has been estimated (5,768 t·d−1). On the basis of the water output, we estimated the total thermal energy dissipated by the crater during the last enhanced degassing activity (167 MW). This strong and sharp increase in energy observed during the current crisis confirms the long-growing trend in terms of mass and energy recorded in recent decades, which has brought the surface system of Vulcano Island to a critical level that has never been recorded since the last eruptive event of 1888–91.289 76 - PublicationRestrictedReview of the evolution of geochemical monitoring, networks and methodologies applied to the volcanoes of the Aeolian Arc (Italy)(2018-01)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Fluids discharged from volcanic systems are the direct surface manifestation of magma degassing at depth and provide primary insights for evaluating the state of volcanic activity. We review the geochemical best practice in volcanic surveillance based to a huge amount of monitoring data collected at different active volcanoes using both continuous and discontinuous approaches. The targeted volcanoes belong to the Aeolian Arc located in the Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy), and they have exhibited different activity states during the monitoring activities reported here. La Fossa cone on Vulcano Island has been in an uninterrupted quiescent stage characterized by variable solfataric activity. In contrast, Stromboli Island has shown a persistent mild explosive activity, episodically interrupted by effusive eruptions (in 1985, 2002, 2007, and 2014). Panarea Island, which is the summit of a seamount rising from the seafloor of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, showed only undersea fluid release. The only observable clues of active volcanism at Panarea Island have been impulsive changes in the undersea fluid release, with the last submarine gas burst event being observed in November 2002. The geochemical monitoring and observations at each of these volcanoes has directly involved the volcanic plume and/or the fumarole vents, thermal waters, and diffuse soil degassing, depending on the type of manifestations and the level of activity encountered. Through direct access to the magmatic samples (when possible) and the collection of as much observable data related to the fluid release as possible, the aim has been (i) to verify the thermodynamic equilibrium condition, (ii) to discern among the possible hydrothermal, magmatic, marine, and meteoric sources in the fluid mixtures, (iii) to develop models of the fluid circulation supported by data, (iv) to follow the evolution of these natural systems by long-term monitoring, and (v) to support surveillance actions related to defining the volcanic risk and the evaluation and possible mitigation of related hazards. The examples provided in this review article show the close relationships among data analysis, interpretation, and modeling. We particularly focus on describing the fieldwork procedures, since any theoretical approach must always be verified and supported by field data, rather than just by experiments controlled in laboratory. Indeed the natural systems involve many variables producing effects that cannot be neglected. The monitored volcanic systems have been regarded as natural laboratories, and all of the activities have focused on both volcanological research and surveillance purposes in order to ensure that these two goals have overlapped. An appendix is also included that explains the scientific approach to the systematic activities, regarding geochemical monitoring of volcanic activity.603 17 - PublicationOpen AccessHydrogeological and Geochemical Characteristics of the Coastal Aquifer of Stromboli Volcanic Island (Italy)(2021)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Although groundwater is a strategic source in volcanic islands, most hydrogeochemical research on this topic has been focused on volcanic activity monitoring, overlooking general hydrogeological aspects. The same applies to one of the most studied volcanoes in the world, Stromboli Island (Italy). Here, we provide a hydrogeological scheme of its coastal aquifer, retrieving inferences about its potential use as a water supply source and for optimizing monitoring protocols for volcanic surveillance. Starting from the hydrogeochemical literature background, we analyzed new data, acquired both for volcano monitoring purposes and during specific surveys. Among these, there were saturated hydraulic conductivity measurements of selected rock samples and precise determinations of water table elevations based on GNSS surveys of wells. We identified a ubiquitous thin lens of brackish water floating on seawater and composed of a variable mixing of marine and meteoric components; inlets of hydrothermal fluids to the aquifer are basically gases, mainly CO2. Based on its hydrogeochemical character, the coastal aquifer of Stromboli could be used as a water supply source after desalinization by reverse osmosis, while the wells located far from the seashore are the most interesting for volcano monitoring, because they are less disturbed by the shallow geochemical noise.452 39 - PublicationOpen AccessDecadal Monitoring of the Hydrothermal System of Stromboli Volcano, Italy(2023)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; In active volcanoes, magmatic fluids rising toward the surface may interact with shallow waters, thereby forming hydrothermal systems that record variations in magma dynamics at depth. Here, we report on a data set comprising the chemical and isotopic composition of thermal waters and dissolved gases from Stromboli Island (Aeolian Volcanic Arc, Southern Italy) that spans 14 years (2004–2018) of continuous observations. We show that the shallow thermal aquifer of Stromboli results from variable mixing between meteoric water, seawater and magmatic fluids. Gas-water-rock interactions occur, which induce a large spectrum of variation in both water and gas chemistry. These shallow processes do not affect the 3He/ 4He of helium dissolved in thermal waters, which records a magmatic signature that varies in response to changes in magma supply at depth. We show that in periods of more intense volcanic activity, the helium isotopic composition of thermal waters approaches that of the gas emitted from the magma residing at 7–10 km depth. Investigation of hydrothermal waters at active volcanoes is a promising tool to examine magmatic fluids and their shallow circulation, as well as to evaluate the state of activity of a volcano, particularly when summit areas are inaccessible80 12 - PublicationRestrictedGeochemical evaluation of observed changes in volcanic activity during the 2007 eruption at Stromboli (Italy)(2009-05-10)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;Rizzo, A.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Grassa, F.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Inguaggiato, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Liotta, M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Longo, M..; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Madonia, P.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Brusca, L.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Capasso, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Morici, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Rouwet, D.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia ;Vita, F.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; On February 27, 2007 a new eruption started at Stromboli that lasted until April 2 and included a paroxysmal explosion on March 15. Geochemical monitoring carried out over several years revealed some appreciable variations that preceded both the eruption onset and the explosion. The carbon dioxide (CO2) flux from the soil at Pizzo Sopra La Fossa markedly increased a few days before the eruption onset, and continued during lava effusion to reach its maximum value (at 90,000 g m−2 d−1) a few days before the paroxysm. Almost contemporarily, the δ13CCO2 of the SC5 fumarole located in the summit area increased markedly, peaking just before the explosion (δ13CCO2~−1.8‰). Following the paroxysm, helium (He) isotopes measured in the gases dissolved in the basal thermal aquifer sharply increased. Almost contemporarily, the automatic station of CO2 flux recorded an anomalous degassing rate. Also temperatures and the vertical thermal gradient, which had been measured since November 2006 in the soil at Pizzo Sopra La Fossa, showed appreciable variabilities that lasted until the end of the eruption. The geochemical variations indicated the degassing of a new batch of volatile-rich magma that preceded and probably fed the paroxysm. The anomalous 3He/4He ratio suggested that the ascent of a second batch of volatile-rich magma toward the surface was probably responsible of the resumption of the ordinary activity. A comparison with the geochemical variations observed during the 2002–2003 eruption indicated that the 2007 eruption was less energetic.421 38 - PublicationOpen AccessChanges in CO2 Soil Degassing Style as a Possible Precursor to Volcanic Activity: The 2019 Case of Stromboli Paroxysmal Eruptions(2020-07-10)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; Paroxysmal explosions are some of the most spectacular evidence of volcanism on Earth andare triggered by the rapid ascent of volatile-rich magma. These explosions often occur in persistentlyerupting basaltic volcanoes located in subduction zones and represent a major hazard due to thesudden occurrence and wide impact on the neighboring populations. However, the recognition ofsignals that forecast these blasts remains challenging even in the best-monitored volcanoes. Here, wepresent the results of the regular monitoring of soil CO2flux from a fumarole field at the summit ofStromboli (Italy), highlighting that the 2016–2019 period was characterized by two important phasesof strong increases of volatile output rate degassing (24 g m2d−2and 32 g m2d−2, respectively)and moreover by significant changes in the degassing style few months before the last paroxysmalexplosions occurred in the summer 2019 (3 July and 28 August). Establish that the deep portionsof a volcano plumbing system are refilled by new volatiles-rich magma intruding from the mantleis therefore a key factor for forecasting eruptions and helping in recognizing possible precursors ofparoxysmal explosions and could be highlighted by the monitoring of soil CO2flux. The abruptincrease of degassing rate coupled with the strong increase of fluctuating signal (daily naturaldeviation) recorded during 2019 at Stromboli could be the key to predicting the occurrence ofparoxysmal events.360 80