Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Gabriele Lanzafame, Pier Paolo Giacomoni, Federico Casetta, Lucia Mancini, Gianluca Iezzi, Massimo Coltorti, Carmelo Ferlito
Summary: Understanding lava flow dynamics during major effusive events is crucial in volcanic areas with a high risk of lava invasion. This study investigates the 1669 eruption of Mount Etna volcano and reconstructs the degassing, crystallization, and rheological history of the magma and lavas. The results indicate that a combination of factors, including lava tunneling, delayed crystal nucleation and growth, and the presence of deformed bubbles, maintained the high fluidity of the melt suspension, allowing the flow to reach considerable distances from the vent. Accurate real-time petrological characterization is essential for reliable viscosity modeling and predicting lava flow direction.
JOURNAL OF PETROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Felix Eckel, Horst Langer, Mariangela Sciotto
Summary: Infrasound monitoring is crucial for monitoring the activity of Mt. Etna, particularly for shallow sources like explosions or degassing. Machine learning techniques, such as pattern recognition using Self-Organizing Maps, can effectively handle the large and complex data sets. This classification scheme provides reliable assessment of volcanic activity even in the absence of visible information.
GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
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
Ecology
Giuseppe Nicolosi, Jose L. Gonzalez-Pimentel, Elena Piano, Marco Isaia, Ana Z. Z. Miller
Summary: Microbial communities in lava tubes have been less studied compared to limestone caves. However, a study on four lava tubes in Mount Etna volcano reveals a diverse range of microbial cells similar to actinobacteria found in other lava tubes globally. The colored microbial mats in these lava tubes consist mainly of bacteria belonging to Actinomycetota, Pseudomonadota, Acidobacteriota, Chloroflexota, and Cyanobacteria. Specific genera, such as Crossiella, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Chujaibacter, and Sphingomonas dominate the microbial communities and are associated with carbon, nitrogen, and ammonia cycles.
Article
Geology
Sergio Gurrieri, Marco Liuzzo, Giovanni Giuffrida, Guillaume Boudoire
Summary: The study focuses on events occurring on Mount Etna and their relationship with degassing rates. 2018 saw high volcanic activity and corresponding seismic episodes, providing a valuable case study for Mount Etna. Monitoring showed high variations in soil CO2 flux and CO2/SO2 ratio, identifying distinctive phases of pressurization in the plumbing system of Mount Etna.
ITALIAN JOURNAL OF GEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Simone Aveni, Marco Laiolo, Adele Campus, Francesco Massimetti, Diego Coppola
Summary: Satellite data is crucial for understanding volcanic processes and mitigating associated risks. Automated volcanic monitoring systems using multiple spaceborne platforms have been developed to increase the number of suitable volcanic scenes and provide important information on volcanic episodes. The capabilities of the MEdium Resolution Spectral Imager-II (MERSI-II) sensor aboard the Fengyun-3D (FY-3D) platform were assessed for detecting and quantifying heat flux from volcanic activity.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Scott D. Guzewich, Luke D. Oman, Jacob A. Richardson, Patrick L. Whelley, Sandra T. Bastelberger, Kelsey E. Young, Jacob E. Bleacher, Thomas J. Fauchez, Ravi K. Kopparapu
Summary: Volcanic flood basalt eruptions are associated with climate disruptions, ocean anoxic events, and mass extinctions. Short-term cooling can occur due to sunlight reflection by H2SO4 aerosols, while long-term warming can occur due to CO2 emissions and increased stratospheric H2O vapor.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
D. Skye Kushner, Taryn M. M. Lopez, Kristi L. L. Wallace, David E. E. Damby, Christoph Kern, Cheryl E. E. Cameron
Summary: This study analyzes the mercury concentrations in 227 bulk ash samples from the Mount Spurr (1992), Redoubt Volcano (2009), and Augustine Volcano (2006) eruptions. The results show that there is no significant difference in mercury concentrations based on distance or discrete eruptive events, but there is a significant difference among different volcanic sources. It is also found that previous approaches to estimate volcanic total mercury emissions underestimate the mercury emitted in explosive events.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
L. Cappelli, P. A. Wallace, A. Randazzo, P. M. Kamau, R. W. Njoroge, V. Otieno, M. S. Tubula, N. O. Mariita, P. Mangi, K. Fontijn
Summary: This study investigates soil CO2 emissions and the structural control at the Olkaria Volcanic Complex in the Kenyan Rift, aiming to contribute to the understanding of the impact of continental rift systems on the global carbon budget. The findings reveal the significant contribution of deep-sourced CO2 and structurally controlled hydrothermal fluid circulation to soil CO2 emissions in the complex.
JOURNAL OF VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Vera Pessina, Fabrizio Meroni, Raffaele Azzaro, Salvatore D'Amico
Summary: This paper presents an application for quick earthquake damage scenario assessment in the volcanic region of Mt. Etna, using the December 26, 2018 earthquake as a case study. The study evaluated damage levels of residential buildings through data collection and simulation of damage scenarios. Despite challenges in applying methods calibrated for larger earthquakes in volcanic zones, statistical damage assessment methods show potential for pre- and post-earthquake interventions.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mariangela Sciotto, Leighton M. Watson, Andrea Cannata, Massimo Cantarero, Emanuela De Beni, Jeffrey B. Johnson
Summary: This study investigates the changes in monotonic infrasound signals before a volcanic eruption, and shows that these changes can be used to track the position of the magma free surface, providing information on the processes within the plumbing system prior to volcanic activity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stefano Corradini, Lorenzo Guerrieri, Hugues Brenot, Lieven Clarisse, Luca Merucci, Federica Pardini, Alfred J. Prata, Vincent J. Realmuto, Dario Stelitano, Nicolas Theys
Summary: The presence of volcanic clouds in the atmosphere affects various aspects such as air quality, environment, climate, human health, and aviation safety. Satellite measurements have become an essential tool for volcanic monitoring, enabling a cross-comparison of different sensor data to enhance understanding of volcanic activity. The study highlights the importance of considering factors such as eruption characteristics and instrumental sensitivity when analyzing SO2 flux retrievals from satellite data.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jaroslava Panisova, Filippo Greco, Daniele Carbone, Stefano Felice Branca, Peter Vajda
Summary: In 2015, gravimetric observations were conducted to image the uppermost part of Mt. Etna's volcanic plumbing system. Gravity measurements were performed using two relative gravimeters, along a profile across the summit craters area. Accurate positioning was determined through GPS measurements. The reduced gravity data were used to construct a 2D density model, revealing the presence of low-density material below the summit craters and a gravity low at the northern edge, indicating faults and eruptive fissures.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Charlotte Barrington, Benoit Taisne, Fidel Costa, Jing Wei
Summary: Explored an alternative approach to quantify volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) using sky-scattered ultraviolet (UV) spectra. Found that the magnitude-squared wavelet coherence (MSWC) is inversely proportional to SO2 concentration, suggesting it can serve as an indicator for SO2 measurement. Validated the approach by comparing with actual measurements of SO2, demonstrating its effectiveness.
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
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Emma J. Liu, Kieran Wood, Alessandro Aiuppa, Gaetano Giudice, Marcello Bitetto, Tobias P. Fischer, Brendan T. McCormick Kilbride, Terry Plank, Tom Hart
Summary: The South Sandwich Volcanic Arc is a remote and enigmatic volcanic arc characterized by persistent gas emissions and frequent eruptive activity. Detailed measurements during an expedition in January 2020 revealed continuous gas emissions from Mt. Michael on Saunders Island, as well as low temperature fumaroles at active centers indicating interaction between magmatic fluids and hydrothermal systems. Carbon isotope measurements suggest a mantle-dominated carbon source along with a possible mixing of upper mantle and subduction components.
BULLETIN OF VOLCANOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geology
Sergio Gurrieri, Marco Liuzzo, Giovanni Giuffrida, Guillaume Boudoire
Summary: The study focuses on events occurring on Mount Etna and their relationship with degassing rates. 2018 saw high volcanic activity and corresponding seismic episodes, providing a valuable case study for Mount Etna. Monitoring showed high variations in soil CO2 flux and CO2/SO2 ratio, identifying distinctive phases of pressurization in the plumbing system of Mount Etna.
ITALIAN JOURNAL OF GEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Geology
Roberto M. R. Di Martino, Marco Camarda, Sergio Gurrieri
Summary: The study reviewed the dataset of volcanic gas survey at Stromboli and found that changes in H2 and CO2 correlated with volcanic activity. The research confirmed that H2 and CO2 in volcanic gas emissions can be effective tracers of volcanic dynamics.
ITALIAN JOURNAL OF GEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Marco Liuzzo, Andrea Di Muro, Andrea Luca Rizzo, Antonio Caracausi, Fausto Grassa, Nicolas Fournier, Bafakih Shafik, Guillaume Boudoire, Massimo Coltorti, Manuel Moreira, Francesco Italiano
Summary: The Comoros archipelago is characterized by recent volcanic activity on the islands of Grande Comore and Mayotte. Gas emissions on each island show distinct compositions and isotopic signatures, correlating well with the present state of volcanic activity.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antonio Paonita, Marco Liuzzo, Giuseppe Salerno, Cinzia Federico, Piero Bonfanti, Antonio Caracausi, Giovanni Giuffrida, Alessandro La Spina, Tommaso Caltabiano, Sergio Gurrieri, Gaetano Giudice
Summary: The balance between the amount of gas coexisting with mantle-derived magmas at depth and that emitted during intereruptive phases may play a key role in the eruptive potential of volcanoes. The signals indicate a long-lasting prelude stage to eruption and a brief preeruptive phase, with evidence showing that volcanoes may be in a state of extreme overpressurization in the weeks before the onset of the eruption.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Salvatore Scudero, Antonino D'Alessandro, Giovanni Giuffrida, Sergio Gurrieri, Marco Liuzzo
Summary: In this study, a wavelet-based filtering method is proposed for soil CO2 flux time series. The method detects the periodic components in the time series through long-term time-frequency characterization. Data from the monitoring network at Mt. Etna volcano in Italy are used to investigate the relationships between CO2 time series and meteorological factors. The wavelet coherence between CO2 time series and air temperatures, atmospheric pressure, and relative humidity is calculated to assess these relationships. The study finds marked cycles at approximately 1 year for most sites, with shorter cycles occurring at some sites. A reference signal for CO2 is calculated by combining temperature, pressure, and humidity cycles, which is then used to predict the seasonal trend of CO2 output.
JOURNAL OF VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Domenico Longo, Gaetano Giudice, Giuseppe D'Arrigo, Antonella Sciuto
Summary: This work presents a compact, portable, and remotely operable apparatus for optical absorbance measurements in the ultraviolet region. The system, which utilizes a commercial LED as the light source and a specially designed photo-detector, demonstrates good sensitivity and reliability. It is particularly suitable for measuring low-level concentrations of SO2 in volcanic environments. The laboratory tests and calibration for SO2 monitoring are discussed in detail.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Roberto M. R. Di Martino, Sergio Gurrieri
Summary: This study examines changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration and stable isotopic composition, revealing that approximately 70% of the changes are attributed to human activities, while 30% are influenced by weather variations. Additionally, the isotopic mass balance model allows for the calculation of CO2 flux, demonstrating significant daily movement of CO2 between geospheres.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
R. M. R. Di Martino, S. Gurrieri, M. Camarda, G. Capasso, V. Prano
Summary: The La Fossa volcano on the Island of Vulcano in Italy has shown increased fumarolic-solfataric activity in 2021, with higher levels of volcanic gas emissions and seismicity compared to the passive degassing that occurred after the last eruption in 1888-1890. The study highlights the practical implications and risks associated with the changes in soil CO2 flux during the volcanic crisis. The observations of increased CO2 flux and carbon isotope measurements helped in volcanic surveillance and tracking changes in volcanic CO2 output.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Pinar Bueyuekakpinar, Andrea Cannata, Flavio Cannavo, Daniele Carbone, Raphael S. M. De Plaen, Giuseppe Di Grazia, Thomas King, Thomas Lecocq, Marco Liuzzo, Giuseppe Salerno
Summary: This work analyzes the temporal variations of seismic velocities at Mt. Etna from August 2018 to February 2019. The study reveals that the volcanic eruption, seismic activity, and ground deformation have significant impacts on seismic velocities. By calculating the cross-correlation functions of seismic ambient noise, the study observes the changes in seismic velocities and finds that the reduction of dv/v is more significant near the summit and in the flank area, which may be related to magmatic intrusion.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
B. Benard, A. Di Muro, M. Liuzzo, S. Gurrieri, P. Boissier, C. Brunet, N. Desfete, P. Kowalski, F. Lauret
Summary: Environmental parameters have a significant impact on the seasonal soil CO2 efflux to the atmosphere, especially in cases where CO2 accumulates in the subsurface. Through time-lagged detrended cross-correlation analysis, it was found that variations in air temperature, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, and water table level are related to near-surface soil CO2 concentration in the volcanoes of Piton de la Fournaise and Mayotte. The transfer mechanism of CO2 differs in these two regions: thermal convection in Piton de la Fournaise and barometric pumping in Mayotte.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Graziano Larocca, Danilo Contrafatto, Andrea Cannata, Gaetano Giudice
Summary: Volcano monitoring is crucial for mitigating risks posed by volcanic phenomena. Even in remote Antarctic regions, significant hazards can occur from volcanic eruptions. Therefore, it is important to develop monitoring systems in Antarctic volcanoes, which face extreme climate conditions. This study describes a multiparametric monitoring system deployed on Melbourne volcano in Antarctica, utilizing seismic, geochemical, and thermal sensors. The chosen installation sites are fumarolic ice caves, ensuring instrument protection and year-round stability. The technological solutions implemented in this study can facilitate volcano monitoring in other polar environments.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
R. M. R. Di Martino, S. Gurrieri, M. Camarda, G. Capasso, V Prano
Summary: In 2021, the La Fossa volcano on the Island of Vulcano, Italy, exhibited signs of more energetic fumarolic-solfataric activity, with increased volcanic gas emissions and seismic activity. The majority of gases were emitted at the crater cone and Vulcano Porto, while anomalous degassing zones experienced notable changes during the volcanic crisis, impacting soil CO2 flux.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2022)