Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pierfrancesco Dellino, Fabio Dioguardi, Roberto Isaia, Roberto Sulpizio, Daniela Mele
Summary: Pyroclastic density currents, resulting from the collapse of eruption columns or lava domes, can cause devastation with high speed movements away from the volcano. Currents' impact on human survival is influenced by flow duration, in addition to pressure and temperature. Research on historical eruptions suggests that in distal areas where temperature and strength are lower, survival is possible if the flow duration is short.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Georgia Ntasi, Ismael Rodriguez Palomo, Gennaro Marino, Fabrizio Dal Piaz, Francesco Sirano, Enrico Cappellini, Leila Birolo, Pierpaolo Petrone
Summary: Proteomic analysis of human bones from the victims of the AD 79 eruption in Pompeii revealed that the bone proteomes from Pompeii were more degraded compared to those from Herculaneum, despite the latter being exposed to higher temperatures. The slow decomposition of victims' soft tissues in Pompeii, due to the natural dry-wet hydrogeological soil cycles, damaged their bone proteome more than the intense heat experienced at Herculaneum in a waterlogged burial context.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Domenico M. Doronzo, Mauro A. Di Vito, Ilenia Arienzo, Monica Bini, Benedetta Calusi, Matteo Cerminara, Stefano Corradini, Sandro De Vita, Biagio Giaccio, Lucia Gurioli, Giorgio Mannella, Giovanni P. Ricciardi, Ilaria Rucco, Domenico Sparice, Micol Todesco, Elisa Trasatti, Giovanni Zanchetta
Summary: A comprehensive review of the 79 CE Plinian eruption of Vesuvius was conducted through a multidisciplinary approach, integrating various studies on historical, stratigraphic, sedimentological, petrological, geophysical, paleoclimatic, and modeling aspects. This review allows for a better understanding of the environmental impacts of the eruption and highlights unresolved issues for further investigation.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gabriele Scorrano, Serena Viva, Thomaz Pinotti, Pier Francesco Fabbri, Olga Rickards, Fabio Macciardi
Summary: This study presents a multidisciplinary approach to analyze two human remains from Pompeii using bioarchaeological and palaeogenomic analyses. The genetic profile of the first Pompeian genome was characterized and found to have strong affinities with the surrounding central Italian population from the Roman Imperial Age. The study also identified the presence of spinal tuberculosis and successfully retrieved ancient DNA from the Pompeii human remains.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Alessandro Tadini, Andrea Bevilacqua, Augusto Neri, Raffaello Cioni, Giovanni Biagioli, Mattia De'Michieli Vitturi, Tomaso Esposti Ongaro
Summary: The study used PyBox to simulate pyroclastic density current deposits from Somma-Vesuvius volcano and validated the model's performance by comparing it to observed data.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Eun Jeong Yang, Sung-Hyo Yun
Summary: This passage discusses research on the Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD, including the spread of volcanic ash and pumice, as well as phenomena such as earthquakes and tsunamis during the eruption. By studying the Pliny Letter, the characteristics of this volcano eruption and its impact on nearby cities are revealed.
JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN EARTH SCIENCE SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Silvia Perez-Diez, Africa Pitarch Marti, Anastasia Giakoumaki, Nagore Prieto-Taboada, Silvia Fdez-Ortiz De Vallejuelo, Alberta Martellone, Bruno De Nigris, Massimo Osanna, Juan Manuel Madariaga, Maite Maguregui
Summary: This study investigates how Pompeian cinnabar-containing fresco paintings degrade in different environments, with a focus on the impact of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide emitted during the 79 AD eruption. It also points out that darkening on the cinnabar paintings may not solely be due to the transformation of the pigment itself, but also to the presence of manganese and iron oxide formation.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Domenico M. Doronzo, Elisa Trasatti, Ilenia Arienzo, Helene Balcone-Boissard, Diana Barra, Giuseppe Aiello, Vincenzo Amato, Mauro A. Di Vito
Summary: Ground deformation may not accurately reflect the style and size of volcanic eruptions. Simulation results suggest that a prolate reservoir shape could lead to the highest magma overpressure, making it the most likely shape for eruption. This finding has important implications for monitoring active explosive volcanoes.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Paolo Fulignati, Adrian J. Boyce
Summary: This study provides the first calculated values of oxygen and hydrogen isotope composition of the brines from the peripheral margin of the active magma chamber that fed the AD 79 eruption of Vesuvius. The exsolved fluids showed a constant δ^18O composition and variable δD composition, with a general decrease in δD while δ^18O remained nearly constant. The progressive fluid exsolution at the upper peripheral parts of the magma chamber may explain this isotopic path. The evaluation of the stable isotope composition of the fluids exsolved from the AD 79 magma chamber is crucial for the monitoring and interpretation of the volcano's geochemical activity.
Editorial Material
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Flavio Altamura
Summary: In a recent paper, it was claimed that a Roman silver coin provided undeniable evidence that the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE occurred in the fall instead of August. However, this comment argues that the coin was misidentified and actually supports the August date perfectly.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Cristiano Vignola, Jacopo Bonetto, Guido Furlan, Michele Mazza, Cristiano Nicosia, Elda Russo Ermolli, Laura Sadori
Summary: This study reconstructs the environmental evolution and plant landscape of the Sarno floodplain surrounding the ancient city of Pompeii from 900 to 750 cal bc and ad 79, revealing a thin forest cover and a mosaic of vegetation types. Human activities, such as pasturelands, cultivated fields, and the introduction of cabbage cultivation, have been present since pre-Roman times. The study also shows the influence of Mediterranean coastal shrubland, hygrophilous riverine forest, and mesophilous plain forest on the local environment until the catastrophic eruption in ad 79.
VEGETATION HISTORY AND ARCHAEOBOTANY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Michael A. Cosca, Mary Reid, Jonathan R. Delphi, Gonca Gencalioglu Kuscu, Janne Blichert-Toft, Wayne Premo, Donna L. Whitney, Christian Teyssier, Bora Rojay
Summary: The study reveals a wide range of ages for the volcanic rocks from Toprakkale and Karasu volcanic fields, ranging from different epochs. Isotopic analysis of basanite samples from Toprakkale volcanic field suggests a depleted mantle source. Melting depths of the volcanic rocks are estimated to reflect partial melting at the base of the lithospheric mantle.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Jean Milot, Chloe Malod-Dognin, Janne Blichert-Toft, Philippe Telouk, Francis Albarede
Summary: The combination of Pb and Ag isotopes can help identify ancient metal sources and detect alteration in silver coins, artefacts, and ores. New procedures have been proposed for high-precision analysis of lead and silver isotopes in Ag-bearing ores and ancient silver coins, with extraction and purification protocols based on ion-exchange and chromatography. The study used MC-ICP-MS to measure the isotopic compositions of both Pb and Ag in ores and coins, revealing uncorrelated variations in Pb and Ag isotopic compositions and indicating different processes behind isotope variability.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
P. D. Kempton, A. Spence, H. Downes, J. Blichert-Toft, J. G. Bryce, E. Hegner, P. Z. Vroon
Summary: The study analyzed the petrogenesis of alkalic lavas from Mount Etna's prehistoric activity, revealing distinct geochemical variations in different volcanic units over time periods. Isotopic data indicated changes in magma source during the approximately 80,000 years of activity, with the sixth unit exhibiting a unique isotopic signature compared to other prehistoric units.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Anthropology
Francis Albarede, Francois de Callatay, Pierluigi Debernardi, Janne Blichert-Toft
Summary: The study revealed that ancient coinage dies can be divided into bad dies, failing early for various reasons, and good dies, failing late due to fatigue. These dual populations reflect the conflicting needs of smiths at the time to prevent premature die failure and limit ductile deformation during minting. The variable proportions of the two populations suggest that not all workshops had fully mastered die technology.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Anthropology
Markos Vaxevanopoulos, Janne Blichert-Toft, Gillan Davis, Francis Albarede
Summary: This study combines lead isotopic analysis with geological characteristics to determine the ancient silver ore sources in Greece, identifying several historically significant mining districts. Newly discovered ancient mining areas in Pelion and the Kroussia mountain range are also documented, reshaping our understanding of ancient Greek history.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anna Serra-Llobet, George Mathias Kondolf, Fernando Magdaleno, Duncan Keenan-Jones
Summary: Flood diversions are essential complements to levees for flood management, redirecting excess water to reduce stage in the main river while providing important ecological functions. Different types of diversions vary in design and function, but managing flow split and preventing development that can affect diversion paths are significant challenges.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-WATER
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Janne Blichert-Toft, Francois de Callatay, Philippe Telouk, Francis Albarede
Summary: The capture of the Achaemenid treasuries by Alexander the Great marked the end of the Persian Empire and the rise of Hellenistic kingdoms. The treasuries contained a significant amount of silver, which was used to produce coins for Alexander and his successors. The source of the silver was traced back to the southern Aegean, Macedonia, and Thrace, with limited contribution from India. The motivations behind the Persian kings' massive hoarding and its economic implications are still not fully understood.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Markos Vaxevanopoulos, Gillan Davis, Jean Milot, Janne Blichert-Toft, Chloe Malod-Dognin, Francis Albarede
Summary: Variations in silver isotopes in silver coins and ores can be used to assess the origin of silver bullion. By analyzing the silver isotopes in ancient mining districts in the Aegean and ancient Greek coins, we found that the silver isotopes in most coins are consistent with literature data, while a smaller group originated from a silver-bearing mineralization in Lavrion, Attica. Sulfur and silver isotopes in Aegean ores do not correlate, and silver isotope compositions can help determine ore provenance within a single mining district.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
A. El Albani, K. O. Konhauser, A. Somogyi, J. Ngwalghoubou Ikouanga, A. Lamboux, J. Blichert-Toft, E. Chi-Fru, C. Fontaine, A. Mazurier, A. Riboulleau, A. -C. Pierson-Wickmann, F. Albarede
Summary: Sediments from the Francevillian Group in Gabon contain pyritized structures that suggest the presence of colonial organisms. Through a comprehensive study, including morphology, mineralogy, and geochemistry, these structures are considered putative biogenic traces, with no association with sulfate reduction. Anomalies in organic carbon and zinc content in the fillings of these structures further indicate their biogenicity.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
L. B. Kant, K. W. W. Sims, G. M. Yogodzinski, J. M. Garrison, J. Blichert-Toft, M. Reagan, C. L. Waters, T. P. Mathews, S. R. Scott, P. A. Mothes, M. L. Hall, P. Ramon, E. Gaunt, M. Almeida, S. Hidalgo
Summary: Compositions of arc magmas in continental arcs are influenced by assimilation of continental crust in addition to conditions in the mantle wedge and at the slab-mantle interface. This study on Reventador volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes demonstrates the significant role of crustal assimilation in shaping the chemical characteristics of magmas in continental arcs. Understanding crustal processes is crucial in the study of continental arcs.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Philippe Telouk, Emmanuelle Albalat, Bernard Bourdon, Francis Albarede, Vincent Balter
Summary: The new Neoma MC-ICPMS/MS is equipped with a prefiltering system to improve its performance. The results show an asymmetrical attenuation of transmission, with higher efficiency at removing low masses than high masses. The asymmetry of the bandpass window can be predicted by theoretical calculations. The MS/MS technology of the Neoma allows for efficient on-line isolation of analytes and reduction of interferences.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY
(2023)
Article
Anthropology
Sarah Martin, Hubert Chanson, Badger Bates, Duncan Keenan-Jones, Michael C. Westaway
Summary: Fish traps built by Indigenous people in the Barwon-Darling River system are an important aspect of their traditional systems and the authors argue for their involvement in water management based on archaeological evidence and traditional cultural knowledge.
ARCHAEOLOGY IN OCEANIA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Francis Albarede, Chloe Malod-Dognin, Philippe Telouk
Summary: This study measured the concentrations of platinum-group elements (PGEs) and gold in ancient silver coins and found that gold purification was not a significant source of silver for Athenian coinage.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Francis Albarede, Chloe Malod-Dognin, Philippe Telouk
Summary: The study investigates the gold purification by cementation as a possible explanation for the low gold content in ancient Greek coinage. Through measuring the concentrations of platinum-group elements (PGEs) and gold in various ancient silver coins, the researchers find that gold cementation did not play a significant role in the silver used for Athenian coinage.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY
(2023)