Publication Date:
2022-04-28
Description:
Submarine hydrothermal systems along active volcanic ridges and arcs are highly
dynamic, responding to both oceanographic (e.g., currents, tides) and deep-seated
geological forcing (e.g., magma eruption, seismicity, hydrothermalism, and crustal
deformation, etc.). In particular, volcanic and hydrothermal activity may also pose
profoundly negative societal impacts (tsunamis, the release of climate-relevant gases
and toxic metal(loid)s). These risks are particularly significant in shallow (〈1000m) coastal
environments, as demonstrated by the January 2022 submarine paroxysmal eruption by
the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai Volcano that destroyed part of the island, and the
October 2011 submarine eruption of El Hierro (Canary Islands) that caused vigorous
upwelling, floating lava bombs, and natural seawater acidification. Volcanic hazards may
be posed by the Kolumbo submarine volcano, which is part of the subduction-related
Hellenic Volcanic Arc at the intersection between the Eurasian and African tectonic plates.
There, the Kolumbo submarine volcano, 7 km NE of Santorini and part of Santorini’s
volcanic complex, hosts an active hydrothermal vent field (HVF) on its crater floor (~500m
b.s.l.), which degasses boiling CO2–dominated fluids at high temperatures (~265°C) with
a clear mantle signature. Kolumbo’s HVF hosts actively forming seafloor massive sulfide
deposits with high contents of potentially toxic, volatile metal(loid)s (As, Sb, Pb, Ag, Hg,
and Tl). The proximity to highly populated/tourist areas at Santorini poses significant risks.
However, we have limited knowledge of the potential impacts of this type of magmatic and
hydrothermal activity, including those from magmatic gases and seismicity. To better
evaluate such risks the activity of the submarine system must be continuously monitored with multidisciplinary and high resolution instrumentation as part of an in-situ observatory
supported by discrete sampling and measurements. This paper is a design study that
describes a new long-term seafloor observatory that will be installed within the Kolumbo
volcano, including cutting-edge and innovative marine-technology that integrates
hyperspectral imaging, temperature sensors, a radiation spectrometer, fluid/gas
samplers, and pressure gauges. These instruments will be integrated into a hazard
monitoring platform aimed at identifying the precursors of potentially disastrous explosive
volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides of the hydrothermally weakened volcanic
edifice and the release of potentially toxic elements into the water column.
Description:
Published
Description:
796376
Description:
1V. Storia eruttiva
Description:
2V. Struttura e sistema di alimentazione dei vulcani
Description:
3A. Geofisica marina e osservazioni multiparametriche a fondo mare
Description:
4A. Oceanografia e clima
Description:
6A. Geochimica per l'ambiente e geologia medica
Description:
JCR Journal
Repository Name:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Type:
article
Permalink
