Article
Environmental Sciences
Germana Barone, Giovanni De Giudici, Domingo Gimeno, Gabriele Lanzafame, Francesca Podda, Carla Cannas, Alessandro Giuffrida, Martina Barchitta, Antonella Agodi, Paolo Mazzoleni
Summary: The research aimed to characterize the surface reactivity of volcanic ash from Mount Etna and its potential consequences for human health. It found that certain elements in volcanic ash leached in water solutions exceeded the thresholds established by Italian law, indicating the need for further investigation into their specific effects on the human body.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Matthew J. Edwards, Julia Eychenne, Laura Pioli
Summary: Open conduit volcanoes are characterized by frequent small-scale explosive eruptions, dispersing ash over large areas and posing significant hazards. A study focused on Etna volcano aims to understand the morphology and texture of ash particles and their spatial distribution in the tephra blanket. Analysis of a small-scale ash-forming eruption in 2016 reveals the complex fragmentation of magma leading to variability in particle shapes, density, and textures, influencing their distribution in the volcanic plume and deposit. Variations in density and particle settling along the dispersal axis suggest that these factors play a crucial role in the transportation of particles in the plume, with extreme shapes having the potential to disperse over long distances downwind.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(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 Sciences
Benedetto Schiavo, Ofelia Morton-Bermea, Diana Meza-Figueroa, Monica Acosta-Elias, Belem Gonzalez-Grijalva, Maria Aurora Armienta-Hernandez, Claudio Inguaggiato, Daisy Valera-Fernandez
Summary: This study investigated the particle size distribution of ashfall from Popocatepetl volcano in Mexico and the behavior of ash nanoparticles in contact with lung fluids. The results showed that most of the ash particles were submicrometric in size and exhibited aggregation and disaggregation processes when in contact with lung fluids.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Umberto Rizza, Franck Donnadieu, Salvatore Magazu, Giorgio Passerini, Giuseppe Castorina, Agostino Semprebello, Mauro Morichetti, Simone Virgili, Enrico Mancinelli
Summary: This study investigates the effects of variable eruption source parameters on volcanic plume transport in the Mediterranean basin following the eruption of Mount Etna on November 23, 2013. It demonstrates that using time-varying eruption source parameters along with a joint approach between WRF-Chem model and near-source measurements from V2B Doppler radar system can lead to more accurate modeling of volcanic ash and gas dispersion in the atmosphere.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Thomas M. Gernon, Thea K. Hincks, Andrew S. Merdith, Eelco J. Rohling, Martin R. Palmer, Gavin L. Foster, Clement P. Bataille, R. Dietmar Mueller
Summary: The length of continental volcanic arcs has the strongest control on global chemical weathering fluxes; the stabilization of Earth's surface temperature is due to the rapid drawdown of carbon dioxide tied to arc weathering; processes such as continental arc tectonics, volcanic outgassing and silicate-rock weathering are closely interrelated and also affect the global climate.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Thomas M. Gernon, Ryan Barr, J. Godfrey Fitton, Thea K. Hincks, Derek Keir, Jack Longman, Andrew S. Merdith, Ross N. Mitchell, Martin R. Palmer
Summary: Plume magmatism and continental breakup led to the opening of the northeast Atlantic Ocean during the globally warm early Cenozoic. This warmth culminated in a transient hyperthermal event called the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) 56 million years ago. Research suggests that volcanic activity played a significant role in triggering this event by releasing large amounts of carbon into the ocean and atmosphere.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giuseppe Re, Massimo Pompilio, Paola Del Carlo, Alessio Di Roberto
Summary: The article reports on the ash cloud caused by the collapse of the Stromboli volcano crater rim on May 19, 2021. The ash cloud spread eastward and deposited a layer of fine pinkish ash over the village of Stromboli. The study compares the ash deposit with previous deposits related to other volcanic events and provides insights into the characteristics of the ash cloud. The results suggest that the distribution of mass and grain size is not correlated with the distance from the source, and the fine ash is mainly attributed to the fragmentation of clasts.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Riccardo Civico, Tullio Ricci, Piergiorgio Scarlato, Jacopo Taddeucci, Daniele Andronico, Elisabetta Del Bello, Luca D'Auria, Pedro A. Hernandez, Nemesio M. Perez
Summary: Identifying topographic variations associated with volcanic eruptions is crucial for obtaining information on eruptive parameters, volcano structure, and civil protection actions. In this study, we used unmanned aircraft system (UAS) survey and Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry to produce a high-resolution digital surface model (DSM) of the newly formed volcanic landforms during the 2021 eruption of Cumbre Vieja volcano. The DSM provides detailed information on morphological changes and contributes significantly to the scientific community and local authorities.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Andrea Bevilacqua, Raffaele Azzaro, Stefano Branca, Salvatore D'Amico, Franco Flandoli, Augusto Neri
Summary: This paper analyzes earthquake and eruptive catalogs from 1800 to 2018 to quantify the impact of flank eruptions on earthquake frequency. The results show that the probability of major earthquakes increases 5-10 times after the onset of flank eruptions and this effect lasts for 30-45 days. Different volcano-tectonic systems have different relationships.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. J. Woodhouse, W. P. Aspinall, R. S. J. Sparks, E. Brooks-Pollock, C. Relton
Summary: This study used an agent-based epidemiological model to analyze the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in primary school classrooms and evaluated the effectiveness of different control strategies. The study found that testing-based surveillance is more effective than bubble quarantine in reducing transmission and avoiding student absences, and maintaining reduced contact rates within the classroom has a significant benefit for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in school settings.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Christopher J. Spencer, Neil S. Davies, Thomas M. Gernon, Xi Wang, William J. McMahon, Taylor Rae Morrell, Thea Hincks, Peir K. Pufahl, Alexander Brasier, Marina Seraine, Gui-Mei Lu
Summary: The evolution of land plants during the Palaeozoic era had a significant impact on the biosphere and sedimentary rocks. By analyzing the isotopic signatures of zircon formed at subduction zones, researchers found a correlation between the composition of continental crust and the evolution of vascular plants. They also discovered that the expansion of terrestrial vegetation resulted in changes in weathering and sedimentary systems, ultimately altering the composition of continental crust.
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. L. Bamber, M. Oppenheimer, R. E. Kopp, W. P. Aspinall, Roger M. Cooke
Summary: The ice sheets on Antarctica and Greenland have significant uncertainties and potential contributions to future sea level rise. The dominant sources of uncertainty in 21st-century projections are surface melting in Greenland and ice dynamics in West Antarctica. In the 22nd century, the dominant drivers of uncertainty shift to ice dynamics in East Antarctica. These findings highlight the key processes and factors that need to be addressed to reduce uncertainties in ice sheet projections.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
S. Barsotti, M. M. Parks, M. A. Pfeffer, B. A. Oladottir, T. Barnie, M. M. Titos, K. Jonsdottir, G. B. M. Pedersen, A. R. Hjartardottir, G. Stefansdottir, T. Johannsson, P. Arason, M. T. Gudmundsson, B. Oddsson, R. H. Orastarson, B. G. Ofeigsson, K. Vogfjord, H. Geirsson, T. Hjorvar, S. von Lowis, G. N. Petersen, E. M. Sigurdsson
Summary: A small effusive eruption occurred in Fagradalsfjall, Iceland, lasting for six months. Collaboration between tourists and scientific institutions played a crucial role in monitoring the eruption, assessing the risks, and providing information to the public. This eruption provided an opportunity to validate numerical models and improve information dissemination.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chiara Maria Petrone, Silvio Mollo, Ralf Gertisser, Yannick Buret, Piergiorgio Scarlato, Elisabetta Del Bello, Daniele Andronico, Ben Ellis, Alessio Pontesilli, Gianfilippo De Astis, Pier Paolo Giacomoni, Massimo Coltorti, Mark Reagan
Summary: This study investigates the arrival of mafic recharges before major explosions and paroxysms at Stromboli volcano in Italy, revealing a rejuvenated plumbing system and increased variability in eruptive behavior. The findings have important implications for interpreting patterns of surficial activity.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
J. Taddeucci, P. Scarlato, D. Andronico, T. Ricci, R. Civico, E. Del Bello, L. Spina, L. D'Auria, M. Asensio-Ramos, D. Calvo, E. Padron, P. A. Hernandez, N. M. Perez
Summary: The explosive activity of the 2021 Tajogaite eruption is diverse and complex, with various pyroclast ejection modes occurring simultaneously and alternately at multiple vents. The physical parameters of these activities were captured using a camera array and showed a range of velocities and mass fluxes. Despite the variations, there is a gradual shift from one activity endmember to another without clear boundaries. The explosive activity of the Tajogaite eruption shares similarities with violent Strombolian eruptions but with previously undefined dynamics of pyroclast ejection.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Leighton M. M. Watson, Andrea Cannata, Daniele Andronico
Summary: Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), the most deadly volcanic hazard, are challenging to study due to their extreme hazard, unpredictable occurrence, and visually opaque clouds of ash. In this study, seismic data from Mt. Etna were used to track a PDC in high temporal resolution, revealing multiple pulses and their corresponding source locations. The findings highlight the potential of using seismic signals to improve our understanding of PDC dynamics and aid in hazard assessment.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas M. M. Gernon, Stephen M. M. Jones, Sascha Brune, Thea K. K. Hincks, Martin R. R. Palmer, John C. C. Schumacher, Rebecca M. M. Primiceri, Matthew Field, William L. L. Griffin, Suzanne Y. Y. O'Reilly, Derek Keir, Christopher J. J. Spencer, Andrew S. S. Merdith, Anne Glerum
Summary: Kimberlites are explosive magmas that contain volatile materials and sometimes diamonds, erupted on Earth's surface in the past. They originate from depths exceeding 150 km in Earth's mantle, occur in stable cratons, and are broadly synchronous with supercontinent cyclicity. It remains unclear whether their mobilization is driven by mantle plumes or by mechanical weakening of cratonic lithosphere. This study suggests that most kimberlites erupted about 30 million years after continental breakup, indicating an association with rifting processes.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Andrea Bevilacqua, Alvaro Aravena, Willy Aspinall, Antonio Costa, Sue Mahony, Augusto Neri, Stephen Sparks, Brittain Hill
Summary: This study presents a method for calculating the probability of a distal geographic location being impacted by a pyroclastic density current (PDC) of a given size. The analysis takes into account key uncertainties associated with the modeling. By evaluating the minimum volume and mass of a PDC generated at the Aso caldera in Japan, the researchers assess the likelihood of different infrastructure sites being affected. The results show that the probability of a catastrophic eruption reaching the marker sites is significant, depending on the uncertainty in the erupted mass and the direction of the marker site.
NATURAL HAZARDS AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2022)