scholarly journals Multidisciplinary study of the “Salinelle" of Paternò mud volcanoes: characteristics of the fluids and possible correlations with Mt. Etna activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (Vol 63 (2020)) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Maria Chicco ◽  
Salvatore Giammanco ◽  
Giuseppe Mandrone
Keyword(s):  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Thermal Characteristics ◽  
Fluid Phase ◽  
Tectonic Stress ◽  
Seismic Events ◽  
Multidisciplinary Study ◽  
Geothermal Fluids ◽  
Mt Etna ◽  
Natural Emissions ◽  
Eruptive Cycles

• Monitoring of hydrothermal fluid emissions can provide detailed information about convective upwelling of geothermal fluids and their geochemical characteristics, as a function of tectonic stress or deeper gas input. In particular, at the Salinelle of Mt. Etna Geosite (Paterno' and Belpasso, Eastern Sicily) natural emissions mainly consist of a fluid phase made of salty water, mud, gas and liquid hydrocarbons from an admixture of magmatic and hydrothermal gases. In this framework, our study mainly focused on the thermal and geochemical monitoring of hydrothermal fluids of the most active site, Salinelle dei Cappuccini. N earby hydrothermal vents (Salinelle del Fiume; Salinelle di San Biagio), were also investigated. Analysis of the magnitude and frequency of seismic events all around Mt. Etna were conducted as well. Analysis of daily temperatures showed a constant trend: higher values (> 35 °C) within the first monitoring period, followed by a strong decrease (down to 9 °C), and a new gradual increase over the following months. This trend seems to be linked to magmatic processes occurring at depth below Mt. Etna, and could lead to a modification of the geochemical and thermal characteristics of the fluid  issuing at the mud-pools and gas vents of Salinelle. The higher the frequency of seismic events corresponding to higher daily energy released, the higher fluid temperatures observed.Understanding how these fluids blend and what is their relationship with Mt. Etna volcanism can be of great importance in forecasting new eruptive cycles in the case they precede changes in  volcanic activity.

A multidisciplinary study of an active fault crossing urban areas: The Trecastagni Fault at Mt. Etna (Italy)

2013 ◽  
Vol 251 ◽  
pp. 41-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bonforte ◽  
A. Carnazzo ◽  
S. Gambino ◽  
F. Guglielmino ◽  
F. Obrizzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Active Fault ◽  
Multidisciplinary Study ◽  
Mt Etna

scholarly journals Trace Element Signatures in Pyrite and Marcasite From Shallow Marine Island Arc-Related Hydrothermal Vents, Calypso Vents, New Zealand, and Paleochori Bay, Greece

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Nestmeyer ◽  
Manuel Keith ◽  
Karsten M. Haase ◽  
Reiner Klemd ◽  
Panagiotis Voudouris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Fluid Phase ◽  
Seasonal Migration ◽  
Magmatic Fluid ◽  
Island Arcs ◽  
Shallow Marine ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Hydrothermal Mineralization ◽  
Back Arc ◽  
Ocean Ridge

Fluid conditions of shallow marine hydrothermal vent sites (<200 mbsl) in island arcs resemble those of subaerial epithermal systems. This leads to a distinct mineralization-style compared to deeper arc/back-arc (>200 mbsl) and mid-ocean ridge-related environments (>2000 mbsl). At Calypso Vents in the Bay of Plenty and Paleochori Bay at the coast of Milos Island, fluids with temperatures <200°C are emitted through volcaniclastic sediments in water depths <200 mbsl. The hydrothermal mineralization from these fluids is dominated by pyrite and marcasite showing diverse textures, including colloform alternations, semi-massive occurrences surrounding detrital grains, vein-type pyrite, and disseminated fine-grained assemblages. Pyrite and marcasite from Calypso SE show elevated concentrations of volatile elements (e.g., As, Sb, Tl, Hg) implying a vapor-rich fluid phase. By contrast, elements like Zn, Ag, and Pb are enriched in hydrothermal pyrite and marcasite from Calypso SW, indicating a high-Cl liquid-dominated fluid discharge. Hence, vapor-liquid element fractionation induced by fluid boiling is preserved in the seafloor mineralization at Calypso Vents. Hydrothermal mineralization at very shallow vent sites (<10 mbsl), like Paleochori Bay, are affected by wave action causing a seasonal migration of the seawater-fluid interface in the sediment cover. The δ34S composition of native S crusts and crystalline S (0.7–6.7‰) is indicative for host rock leaching and thermochemical reduction of seawater sulphate. By contrast, the highly negative δ34S signature of native S globules in sediments (−7.6 to −9.1‰) is related to microbial sulphate reduction or a subordinate magmatic fluid influx. Alunite-jarosite alteration (Paleochori Bay) and a mineral assemblage consisting of orpiment, realgar, and native S (Calypso Vents) may also suggest a contribution by an oxidised (sulphate-rich) low pH fluid of potential magmatic origin. However, fluid boiling is pervasive at Calypso Vents and Paleochori Bay, and the condensation of vapor-rich fluids in a steam-heated environment may produce a similar alteration and mineralization assemblage without a significant magmatic fluid influx, as known from some subaerial epithermal systems.

scholarly journals Modeling ground deformation associated with the destructive earthquakes occurring on Mt. Etna's southeastern flank in 1984

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavio Cannavò ◽  
Salvatore Gambino ◽  
Biagio Puglisi ◽  
Rosanna Velardita
Keyword(s):  
Fault Plane ◽  
Ground Deformation ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Seismic Events ◽  
Good Accord ◽  
Mt Etna ◽  
High Hazard ◽  
Low Altitude ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Very High

Abstract. The Timpe Fault System is the source of very shallow but destructive earthquakes that affect several towns and villages on the eastern flank of Mt. Etna (Italy). In 1984, several seismic events, and specifically on October 25, caused one fatality, 12 injuries and produced serious damage in the Zafferana and Acireale territories. This seismicity was mainly related to the activity of the Fiandaca Fault, one of the structures belonging to the Timpe Fault System. We inverted ground deformation data collected by a geodimeter trilateration network set up in 1977 at a low altitude along the eastern side of the volcano in order to define the Timpe Fault System faulting mechanisms linked to the seismicity in 1984. We found that in the May 1980–October 1984 period, the Fiandaca Fault was affected by a strike slip and normal dip slip of about 27 and 23cm. This result is in fairly good accord with field observations of the co-seismic ground ruptures along the fault but it's notably large compared to displacements estimated by seismicity, then suggest ing that most of the slip over the fault plane was aseismic. The results once again confirm how seismicity and in particular ground ruptures represent a very high hazard to the several towns and villages situated along the Fiandaca Fault.

scholarly journals Magma plumbing system and associated hydrothermal vents in the Guaymas Basin - geometry and implications

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe, Y. Galerne ◽  
Daniel Lizarralde ◽  
Christian Berndt ◽  
Florian Neumann ◽  
Tobias, W. Höfig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrothermal Vent ◽  
Gulf Of California ◽  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Plumbing System ◽  
Steady State Condition ◽  
Guaymas Basin ◽  
Magma Plumbing System ◽  
Geothermal Fluids ◽  
Magma Plumbing

<p>We document the geometry of a massive sill at the root of an approximately 20-m high and 800 m-wide ring of hydrothermal formations, termed Ringvent, located 28.5 km off-axis on the northwestern flanking regions of the actively rifting Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California). Using petrophysical data collected during the IODP Expedition 385 and processed 2D seismic profiles, we present evidence on the mechanics of sill emplacement and how the related hydrothermal vent conduits were constructed. The currently active moderate-temperature hydrothermal vent field indicates that, despite being cold and crystallized, the magma plumbing system, is tapping into a deeper geothermal source of the basin. The vent system roots at the vertical end of the magma plumbing system with the top of the sill located at a depth range of 80 to 150 m below the seafloor. Our research aims at constraining how far deep the geothermal fluids are coming from, and identifying how close the hydrothermal system is from a steady-state condition, to draw implications for how frequently such a system may arise in nascent ocean basins.</p>

scholarly journals Features of seismic events and volcanic tremor during the preliminary stages of the 1991-1993 eruption of Mt. Etna

1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Lombardo ◽  
G Coco ◽  
M. Corrao ◽  
S. Gresta
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Volcanic Tremor ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Spectral Signature ◽  
Seismic Events ◽  
Spectral Features ◽  
Eruptive Activity ◽  
Eruptive Event ◽  
Mt Etna ◽  
Dominant Frequencies

The study of the spectral features of volcanic tremor and low frequency events (l.f.e.) recorded before and during the preliminary phases of the powerful 1991-1993 eruption of Mt. Etna is briefly described. Significant modifications were observed in the spectral signature of l.f.e. before the onset of the eruptive event, as well as in the temporal distribution of the volcanic tremor dominant frequencies. We interpret both l.f.e. and tremor changes in terms of a spatial modification of the source, as the paroxysmal eruptive activity is approaching. Such findings also appear quite interesting for the identification of markers of the modifications which some seismic events of the volcano undergo in the early stages heading the occurrence of an eruption.

Processes of the Long-Term Carbon Cycle: Degassing of Carbon Dioxide and Methane

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Berner
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Silicate Weathering ◽  
Volcanic Emissions ◽  
Volcanic Degassing ◽  
Mt Etna ◽  
Geologic Time Scale ◽  
Oceanic Plates

Degassing of CO2 and CH4 to the atmosphere and oceans is the process whereby carbon is restored to the surficial system after being buried in rocks. Carbon dioxide is released by a variety of processes. This includes volcanic emissions from the mantle and metamorphic and diagenetic decarbonation of limestones and organic matter. Volcanic degassing can occur over subduction zones, at mid-ocean rises, on the continents, and in the interior of oceanic plates. Degassing can be sudden and violent, as during volcanic eruptions, or slow and semi-continuous in the form of fumaroles, springs, gas vents, and continually degassing volcanic vents. An outstanding example of the latter is Mt. Etna, which contributes about 10% to total global degassing (Caldeira and Rampino, 1992). Metamorphic degassing is concentrated in zones of seafloor subduction (Barnes et al., 1978), crustal convergence (Kerrick and Caldeira, 1998), and crustal extension (Kerrick et al., 1995). Most methane degassing on a geologic time scale occurs from organic matter diagenesis slowly from coal, oil, and kerogen maturation and suddenly from methane hydrate breakdown. A smaller amount of CH4 emanates from mid-ocean hydrothermal vents. Estimates of present-day global volcanic degassing rates are under constant revision (e.g., see Gerlach, 1991; Brantley and Koepenick, 1995; Sano and Williams, 1996; Marty and Tolstikhin, 1998; Kerrick, 2001). A compilation of recent estimated rates of most degassing processes is shown in table 4.1. A constraint on estimates is that none can exceed total global degassing. The latter can be determined from the steady-state assumption that CO2 release by global degassing must be balanced by global uptake by Ca and Mg silicate weathering (Berner, 1990; Berner and Caldeira, 1997). (This assumes essential balance of the organic C subcycle.) Global Ca and Mg silicate weathering, based on river fluxes of these elements to the sea, has been estimated to be about 6 ± 3 × 1018 mol/my (Berner, 1990). Gaillardet et al. (1999) estimate a minimum value for Ca and Mg silicate weathering of 3.6 × 1018 mol/my.

scholarly journals Modeling ground deformation associated with the destructive earthquakes occurring on Mt. Etna's southeastern flank in 1984

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 2443-2453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavio Cannavò ◽  
Salvatore Gambino ◽  
Biagio Puglisi ◽  
Rosanna Velardita
Keyword(s):  
Fault Plane ◽  
Ground Deformation ◽  
Strike Slip ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Seismic Events ◽  
Mt Etna ◽  
High Hazard ◽  
Low Altitude ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Very High

Abstract. The Timpe Fault System is the source of very shallow but destructive earthquakes that affect several towns and villages on the eastern flank of Mt. Etna (Italy). In 1984, several seismic events, and specifically on 19 and 25 October, caused one fatality, 12 injuries and produced serious damage in the Zafferana and Acireale territories. This seismicity was mainly related to the activity of the Fiandaca Fault, one of the structures belonging to the Timpe Fault System. We inverted ground deformation data collected by a geodimeter trilateration network set up in 1977 at a low altitude along the eastern side of the volcano in order to define the Timpe Fault System faulting mechanisms linked to the seismicity in 1984. We have found that in the period May 1980–October 1984, the Fiandaca Fault was affected by a strike-slip and normal dip-slip of about 20.4 and 12.7 cm respectively. This result is kinematically consistent with field observations of the coseismic ground ruptures along the fault but it is notably large compared to displacements estimated by seismicity, then suggesting that most of the slip over the fault plane was aseismic. The results once again confirm how seismicity and its relation with ground ruptures and creep displacement represent a very high hazard to the several towns and villages situated along the Timpe Fault System.

scholarly journals Tracing Ancient Carbon Dioxide Emission in the Larderello Area by Means of Historical Boric Acid Production Data

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 4101
Author(s):  
Alessandro Lenzi ◽  
Marco Paci ◽  
Geoffrey Giudetti ◽  
Roberto Gambini
Keyword(s):  
Boric Acid ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Acid Production ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emission ◽  
Power Production ◽  
Production Data ◽  
Geothermal Fluids ◽  
Geothermal Activity ◽  
Natural Emissions ◽  
The Impact

The impact of natural CO2 emissions in the development of geothermal areas is presently gaining more attention than ever before. In Italian geothermal fields, a reduction in the natural CO2 emissions has been observed. This paper reviews and provides an analysis of the historical production data of boric acid from 1818 to 1867 used to calculate the natural emissions of CO2 associated with boric acid production that pre-dates the use of geothermal resources for power production, which started in 1913. Boric acid was already being extracted from the natural geothermal fluids in geysers and natural ponds emitting steam and gases. After 1827 the ‘lagone coperto’ (covered lake) equipment optimized production, and the drilling of shallow wells (20–30 m) starting in 1836, which further increased the quantity of its extraction. The first geothermal reservoir was developed at the turn of the century and the Larderello geothermal field began to grow. The use of deep wells, keeping pace with the power production, led to the gradual disappearance of the natural ponds and the ‘lagoni’ (lakes) in the historical area, so the residual natural emission of CO2 is presently restricted to diffuse soil emission. Comparisons of the ancient CO2 emissions with those of the Geothermal Power Plant (GPP) in the Larderello area show that both amounts are in the same order of magnitude, suggesting a balance between the depletion of natural emissions and geothermal activity.

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