6533b7defe1ef96bd127697a
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Hydrothermal pressure-temperature control on CO2 emissions and seismicity at Campi Flegrei (Italy)
Jacopo SelvaSimona TripaldiAlessandro AiuppaCarlo CardelliniCarlo CardelliniGiovanni ChiodiniGiulio BiniStefano CaliroW. De CesareAgata SiniscalchiFlora GiudicepietroP. RicciolinoZaccaria PetrilloRosario Avinosubject
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciencesCampi Flegrei mantle geochemistry CO2 emission Fumarole compositions Hydrothermal systems Volcanic unrest Volcano seismicityInduced seismicity010502 geochemistry & geophysics01 natural sciencesHydrothermal circulationHydrothermal systemsCabin pressurizationGeochemistry and PetrologyCalderaPetrologyFumarole compositions0105 earth and related environmental sciencesgeographygeography.geographical_feature_categoryVolcanic unrest; Hydrothermal systems; Campi Flegrei; Fumarole compositions; CO2 emission; Volcano seismicityFront (oceanography)Volcano seismicityGeophysicsVolcanoVolume (thermodynamics)Volcanic unrestCO2 emissionMagmaCampi FlegreiGeologydescription
Fluids supplied by stored magma at depth are causal factors of volcanic unrest, as they can cause pressurization/heating of hydrothermal systems. However, evidence for links between hydrothermal pressurization, CO2 emission and volcano seismicity have remained elusive. Here, we use recent (2010−2020) observations at Campi Flegrei caldera (CFc) to show hydrothermal pressure, gas emission and seismicity at CFc share common source areas and well-matching temporal evolutions. We interpret the recent escalation in seismicity and surface gas emissions as caused by pressure-temperature increase at the top of a vertically elongated (0.3–2 km deep) gas front. Using mass (steam) balance considerations, we show hydrothermal pressurization is causing energy transfer from the fluids to the host rocks, ultimately triggering low magnitude earthquakes within a seismogenetic volume containing the hydrothermal system. This mechanism is probably common to other worldwide calderas in similar hydrothermal activity state.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-06-01 |