Geothermal Investigations of Active Volcanoes: The Example of Ischia Island and Campi Flegrei Caldera (Southern Italy)

Abstract

The active volcanic zone of Ischia Island and Campi Flegrei caldera (Campania) have been the site of many geothermal investigations, since the early 20th century. These areas are characterized by very high geothermal gradient and heat flow as consequence of upward migration of magmatic sources coupled with vigorous hydrothermal circulation. After the increment of installed geothermal power in Larderello (Tuscany), the extensive geothermal exploration of Campania was not followed by exploitation projects. In recent time, the attention on the possibility to exploit electric energy has been drawn by the new Italian regulation for exploitation leases. The larger geothermal potential of Campi Flegrei caldera and Ischia Island, located west to the Bay of Naples, makes these areas as possible sites of new geothermal plants installation. We present here the results of recent geothermal researches of Campi Flegrei caldera and Ischia Island, which integrate and improve the information obtained during the exploration performed by SAFEN and AGIP-ENEL companies from the earlier 1940 to 1985. These data are useful to characterize the geothermal reservoirs of this active volcanoes and also to increase the knowledge of volcanic processes and related risk.