Institute of Mechanics, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

Volcano-hydrothermal systems are governed by complex interactions between fluid transport, and geochemical and mechanical processes. Evidence of this close interplay has been testified by distinct spatial and temporal correlations in geochemical and geophysical observations at Vulcano Island (Italy). To understand the interaction between fluid circulation and the geochemical and geophysical manifestations, we perform a parametric study to explore different scenarios by implementing a hydro-geophysical model based on the equations for heat and mass transfer in a porous medium and thermo-poroelastic theory. Numerical simulations allow us to define the controlling role of permeability distribution on the different modeled parameters as well as on the geophysical observables. Changes in the permeability within the highly fractured crater area could be responsible for the fluctuations in gas emission and temperature recorded during the crisis periods, which are accompanied by shallow volcano-seismicity in the absence of significant deformation and gravity variations. Despite the general medium permeability of the volcanic edifice, the presence of more highly permeable pathways, which allow the gas to rapidly escape, as testified by the presence of a well-developed fumarolic field, prevents the pressure buildup at shallow depths.

Because of strong coupling between viscosity and temperature, the dynamics of magma flows in conduits are drastically controlled by thermal effects due to heat generation by viscous dissipation and loss to the walls by conduction. Here we present analytical solutions and a practical procedure based on an order of magnitude analysis that permits the characterization of the regime and estimation of the main features of the flow. The ranges of validity of analytical and asymptotic solutions were bounded by using results from fully two-dimensional (2-D) numerical solutions of mass, momentum, and energy equations for magma flow inside a cylindrical conduit and the heat conduction in the surrounding host rocks. The results permitted the identification of three regimes: a conductive-heat-loss-dominated regime, an intermediate regime, and a viscous-heating-dominated regime. Some useful analytical parameterizations are proposed for estimating friction in simplified 1-D models. Temperature layering due to heat loss by conduction can lead to local crystal growth and magma solidification whereas heat generated by viscous dissipation can be responsible for crystal resorption and remelting of wall rocks