Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
P. Sellitto, G. Salerno, S. Corradini, I. Xueref-Remy, A. Riandet, C. Bellon, S. Khaykin, G. Ancellet, S. Lolli, E. J. Welton, A. Boselli, A. Sannino, J. Cuesta, H. Guermazi, M. Eremenko, L. Merucci, D. Stelitano, L. Guerrieri, B. Legras
Summary: During the activity of Mount Etna volcano from February to April 2021, three paroxysmal events occurred, with unusual transport of upper-tropospheric plumes to the north. Observation and modeling were used to characterize the emissions, dispersion, and radiative impacts of these plumes. The results showed extreme emissions of sulfur dioxide, with plume injections at high altitudes.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ATMOSPHERES
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Luigi Vigliotti, Dario Bilardello, Aldo Winkler, Paola Del Carlo
Summary: A detailed rock magnetic study was conducted on ash samples from different explosive activities of Mount Etna. The study found that magnetic properties can be used as effective factors for discriminating among different eruptive products. The more explosive products were characterized by oxidized Ti-rich titanomagnetites, higher coercivity distributions, and higher magnetizations and susceptibilities. Additionally, the magnetic properties of tachylite-bearing tephra provided a useful tool for studying the fragmentation process and explosive character of volcanic activities.
GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Horst Langer, Susanna Falsaperla, Salvatore Spampinato, Alfio Messina
Summary: Pattern classification has been proven to be an effective method for flagging alerts of volcano unrest before eruptive activity at Mt. Etna, Italy since the 2010s. However, the duration of volcano unrest and the onset of eruptive activity are still uncertain. By using thresholds to detect conditions leading to paroxysmal activity, early warning can be provided for impending eruptions, which is crucial for volcanologists' assessments.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Henda Guermazi, Pasquale Sellitto, Juan Cuesta, Maxim Eremenko, Mathieu Lachatre, Sylvain Mailler, Elisa Carboni, Giuseppe Salerno, Tommaso Caltabiano, Laurent Menut, Mohamed Moncef Serbaji, Farhat Rekhiss, Bernard Legras
Summary: A new retrieval algorithm called AEROIASI-H2SO4 was developed to measure the extinction and mass concentration of sulphate aerosols based on IASI observations. The algorithm shows moderate random uncertainties and accurately identifies the volcanic plume horizontal morphology, providing crucial new information towards the study of volcanic emissions. Insights are given on the possible spectroscopic evidence of the presence of larger-sized particles in the plume.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
G. Lanzafame, M. C. Caggiani, C. Finocchiaro, G. Barone, C. Ferlito, L. Gigli, P. Mazzoleni
Summary: This study investigates the chemical and mineralogical characteristics of Ghiara, a peculiar aggregate found beneath solidified lava flows in Mt. Etna volcano. The analytical results show the presence of hematite, which gives Ghiara its reddish appearance. The heterogeneous samples make it difficult to determine a precise genetic model, but potential factors influencing its genesis include chemical oxidation, biological oxidation, and hydrothermal transformation. This research provides valuable insights for the use of Ghiara in construction and contributes to understanding hematite formation processes.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Giuseppe Nunnari
Summary: This paper discusses the classification of volcanic activity into three classes using volcanic tremor as a feature, evaluating the reliability of Machine Learning algorithms in performing such classifications. The study shows that at least Paroxysm activity can be reliably classified. The research is conducted on a dataset from Mt Etna, but the methods and strategies can be easily applied to similar volcanic areas due to the widespread availability of volcanic tremor as a geophysical signal.
EARTH SCIENCE INFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Paolo Scanferla, Claudio Finocchiaro, Ameni Gharzouni, Germana Barone, Paolo Mazzoleni, Sylvie Rossignol
Summary: This study tested the thermal performances of volcanic ash-based alkali-activated materials at 1000 degrees C using sodium or potassium solutions. After confirming the feasibility of the potassium set, a multidisciplinary characterization was conducted, including spectroscopic, thermal, mechanical, diffractometric, and dilatometric analyses. The formation kinetics of different networks were evaluated. The results demonstrated a correlation between high mechanical properties and lower water content in non-treated samples. Treated samples at 1000 degrees C exhibited higher compressive strengths due to the crystallization of wollastonite, leucite, and nepheline. Additionally, the thermal stability was observed to increase with higher solid content in potassium-based formulations.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Claudia D'Oriano, Paola Del Carlo, Daniele Andronico, Raffaello Cioni, Pietro Gabellini, Antonio Cristaldi, Massimo Pompilio
Summary: Low-intensity emission of volcanic ash is the most frequent eruptive activity worldwide, characterized by heterogeneous texture and composition. Lack of precursor signals makes petrological monitoring the only way to understand the mechanisms and evolution.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Roberta Occhipinti, Maria Cristina Caggiani, Fabrizio Andriulo, Germana Barone, Lavinia de Ferri, Paolo Mazzoleni
Summary: Research has shown that alkali activated binders and mortars made from volcanic pyroclastic residues from Mt. Etna are barely affected by atmospheric exposure after being outdoors for six months. The composition, mechanical properties, dynamic vapour sorption, and visual aspect of the materials remained relatively unchanged before and after exposure, demonstrating their durability in outdoor conditions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lorenzo Guerrieri, Stefano Corradini, Nicolas Theys, Dario Stelitano, Luca Merucci
Summary: The study quantitatively estimates the volcanic cloud produced during the eruptions of Mount Etna from December 2020 to February 2022. The results show variations in volcanic cloud top height, as well as the mass of ash, ice, and sulfur dioxide emitted during this period. The findings have important implications for understanding the impact of the eruptions on human life, the environment, and air traffic.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
L. Zuccarello, S. De Angelis, V Minio, G. Saccorotti, C. J. Bean, M. Paratore, J. M. Ibanez
Summary: This study presents observations from a seismic array deployment during the eruption of Mt. Etna in 2021. The results show different characteristics of eruption activity, with lava flows and ash plumes in the southeast sector, and mild degassing and effusion in the central and northeast summit craters. Changes in seismic array locations were found to consistently anticipate the onset of paroxysmal activity in the southeast sector.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Federico Pasquare Mariotto, Fabio Luca Bonali, Alessandro Tibaldi, Emanuela De Beni, Noemi Corti, Elena Russo, Luca Fallati, Massimo Cantarero, Marco Neri
Summary: In this work, a virtual geotrail showcasing historical geological sites and features on the eastern flank of Mt. Etna volcano in Italy is presented. By scanning QR codes, visitors can virtually explore these sites and fly above them. The main outcome is a virtual geotrail with eight geostops, allowing for complementary field teaching in earth sciences.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Julia Woitischek, Marie Edmonds, Andrew W. Woods
Summary: The study focused on spectroscopic SO2 measurements and the origin of fluctuating volcanic gas emission signals in basaltic open vent volcanoes. Experimental results suggest that fluctuations in the signal are similar when the intermittency of the source is comparable or smaller than turbulence, while longer intermittency timescales can lead to distinguishable fluctuations.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Suresh K. R. Boreddy, Prashant Hegde, A. R. Aswini
Summary: Trace elements in atmospheric particulate matter, originating from crustal emissions and combustion-derived anthropogenic emissions, show significant differences under different air masses. The distribution of trace metals is influenced by particle size, with coarse mode aerosols being mainly affected by crustal sources and fine mode aerosols by combustion sources.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luigi Mereu, Simona Scollo, Antonella Boselli, Giuseppe Leto, Ricardo Zanmar Sanchez, Costanza Bonadonna, Frank Silvio Marzano
Summary: Lidar observations were used to analyze a dispersed volcanic cloud from Mt. Etna in Italy on 18 May 2016. The study revealed that the VALR ML inversion method based on Maximum-Likelihood can provide accurate estimates of volcanic ash size and mass concentration. The results also showed discrepancies between different retrieval techniques, with the VALR ML algorithm providing ash concentrations between 0.1 μg/m3 and 1 mg/m3 and particle mean sizes between 0.1 μm and 6 μm.
Article
Environmental Studies
Jenni Barclay, Richie Robertson, Jazmin P. Scarlett, David M. Pyle, Maria Teresa Armijos
Summary: This paper explores the role of British colonial rule in response to and recovery from volcanic eruptions on the Caribbean islands of Montserrat and Saint Vincent. It shows that inadequate aid responses and chronic problems have created systemic vulnerabilities to natural hazards, and these vulnerabilities compound hazard impacts. The study suggests that analyzing integrated hazard impacts and incorporating local knowledge and experience into risk analysis can help reduce vulnerabilities and generate effective mitigative measures. It also highlights the importance of coupling long-term development aid with emergency response for better outcomes and adaptation to longer-term vulnerabilities.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Annika Voigt, Michael Cassidy, Jonathan M. Castro, David M. Pyle, Tamsin A. Mather, Christoph Helo, Mirzam Abdurrachman, Idham Andri Kurniawan
Summary: This study investigates the pre-eruptive magma reservoir conditions and volatile storage capacities of the Samalas-Rinjani volcanic complex using the 1257 Samalas eruption as a case study. The results reveal that the pre-eruptive magma storage depth is significantly shallower than the currently active magma system at Rinjani. The findings suggest that accumulation of magma in one place, rather than the rapid extraction of magma from a vertically extensive system, is responsible for highly explosive eruptions of intermediate alkaline magma.
JOURNAL OF PETROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
David J. Colby, David M. Pyle, Karen Fontijn, Tamsin A. Mather, Abate A. Melaku, Million A. Mengesha, Gezahegn Yirgu
Summary: The Corbetti Caldera, located within the East African Rift, is an important site for studying peralkaline volcanism. A detailed study of the eruptive deposits in the area revealed evidence of multiple large-scale eruptions, contributing to our understanding of Corbetti's evolution. The findings provide valuable information for potential geothermal exploration and hazard assessment.
JOURNAL OF VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Celine M. Vidal, Karen Fontijn, Christine S. Lane, Asfawossen Asrat, Dan Barfod, Emma L. Tomlinson, Alma Piermattei, William Hutchison, Amdemichael Zafu Tadesse, Gezahegn Yirgu, Alan Deino, Yves Moussallam, Paul Mohr, Frances Williams, Tamsin A. Mather, David M. Pyle, Clive Oppenheimer
Summary: Through field surveys, geochemical analysis, and (40)Ar/Ar-39 dating, we successfully determined the ages of volcanic eruptions in the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) and linked them to tephra layers of archaeological and paleoenvironmental significance. Our findings help establish a tephrochronological framework in the region, supporting paleoenvironmental and archaeological work and providing insights into the hypothesis of a middle Pleistocene 'ignimbrite flare-up' in the MER and the impacts of these eruptions on landscapes, hydrology, and human ecology.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Mike Cassidy, Alexander A. Iveson, Madeleine C. S. Humphreys, Tamsin A. Mather, Christoph Helo, Jonathan M. Castro, Philipp Ruprecht, David M. Pyle
Summary: The partitioning of halogens in magmas is important for understanding geological processes. This study provides new data on fluid/melt partition coefficients for halogens under different conditions, and evaluates the effects of changing fluid composition on partitioning. The results show that partition coefficients are influenced by pressure, temperature, and fluid composition. The experimental results provide realistic constraints on halogen partitioning in natural conditions and can be useful for the interpretation of melt inclusions and volcano gas data.
AMERICAN MINERALOGIST
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Margot J. Cramwinckel, Robin van der Ploeg, Niels A. G. M. van Helmond, Niels Waarlo, Claudia Agnini, Peter K. Bijl, Annique van der Boon, Henk Brinkhuis, Joost Frieling, Wout Krijgsman, Tamsin A. Mather, Jack J. Middelburg, Francien Peterse, Caroline P. Slomp, Appy Sluijs
Summary: This study evaluates the sedimentary and geochemical expression of the mid-Eocene climatic optimum in the northern Peri-Tethys region. The findings suggest a regional decoupling between ocean warming and deoxygenation, highlighting the role of regional tectonics in causing basin restriction and anoxia. The study also emphasizes the importance of the interplay between global climate and regional oceanic gateway evolution in determining local climate and oceanographic change.
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Micha Ruhl, Stephen P. Hesselbo, Hugh C. Jenkyns, Weimu Xu, Ricardo L. Silva, Kara J. Matthews, Tamsin A. Mather, Conall Mac Niocaill, James B. Riding
Summary: Research has found that the formation of large igneous provinces in the past is related to mantle plume upwelling and carbon emissions. The Toarcian oceanic anoxic event (T-OAE) during the Toarcian period is linked to the emplacement of the Karoo-Ferrar LIP. The timing and duration of LIP emplacement are controlled by reduced Pangean plate motion.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Neil P. Kelley, Randall B. Irmis, Paige E. DePolo, Paula J. Noble, Danielle Montague-Judd, Holly Little, Jon Blundell, Cornelia Rasmussen, Lawrence M. E. Percival, Tamsin A. Mather, Nicholas D. Pyenson
Summary: The discovery of multiple specimens of the giant ichthyosaur Shonisaurus in Nevada, USA suggests that early marine tetrapods also exhibited grouping behavior, potentially linked to reproductive activity, and this behavior has existed for at least 230 million years.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Z. Taracsak, T. A. Mather, S. Ding, T. Plank, M. Brounce, D. M. Pyle, A. Aiuppa
Summary: Sulfur is of crucial importance in the Earth system and plays a key role in various processes. Subduction zones significantly impact the global sulfur cycle, and arc magmas have distinct sulfur characteristics compared to mid-ocean ridge basalts. The study analyzes the sulfur isotopic composition of primary arc magmas and suggests that an oxidized slab component contributes to the elevated sulfur contents and oxidizing conditions observed in arc magmas globally.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jun Shen, Jiubin Chen, Jianxin Yu, Thomas J. Algeo, Roger M. H. Smith, Jennifer Botha, Tracy D. Frank, Christopher R. Fielding, Peter D. Ward, Tamsin A. Mather
Summary: The Permian mass extinction was caused by volcanic activity in the Siberian Traps, and the land records from southern Pangea provide evidence of long-distance atmospheric transfer of volcanogenic mercury during this event. These findings demonstrate the far-reaching effects of the Siberian Traps and refine the stratigraphic placement of the extinction interval in the Karoo Basin.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jean-Francois Smekens, Tamsin A. Mather, Mike R. Burton, Alessandro La Spina, Khristopher Kabbabe, Benjamin Esse, Matthew Varnam, Roy G. Grainger
Summary: Field-portable Open Path Fourier Transform Infrared (OP-FTIR) spectrometers are used to remotely measure the composition of volcanic plumes, providing valuable data on gas emissions. A fast retrieval algorithm is presented to estimate quantities of gas, ash, and sulphate aerosols, and the results from two pilot campaigns on Stromboli volcano are validated. The algorithm accurately identifies ash-rich plumes and gas bursts associated with explosions and quantifies the particle sizes and mass column densities of ash and sulphate aerosols in the plume.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Henrik H. Svensen, Morgan T. Jones, Lawrence M. E. Percival, Stephen E. Grasby, Tamsin A. Mather
Summary: This study investigates the behavior of mercury (Hg) during contact metamorphism of shales and finds significant loss of sedimentary Hg due to gaseous emissions. The research also estimates the Hg mobilization from the aureoles and the flux of Hg emission during sill emplacement, suggesting a significant perturbation of the global Hg cycle. These findings provide important information for understanding the relationship between large igneous province activity and global environmental change.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Margot J. Cramwinckel, Robin van der Ploeg, Niels A. G. M. van Helmond, Niels Waarlo, Claudia Agnini, Peter K. Bijl, Annique van der Boon, Henk Brinkhuis, Joost Frieling, Wout Krijgsman, Tamsin A. Mather, Jack J. Middelburg, Francien Peterse, Caroline P. Slomp, Appy Sluijs
Summary: This study investigates the climate change mechanisms and factors influencing the middle Eocene climatic optimum through the assessment of sedimentary and geochemical data in the northern Peri-Tethys region. The results suggest that the significant organic carbon burial in the Kuma Formation played a quantitative role in the termination of the middle Eocene climatic optimum. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of the interplay between global climate and regional oceanic evolution.
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA BULLETIN
(2022)
