ALBERT

Description: Twenty-five lava fountains occurred on Mt. Etna from January 2011 to April 2012. In summer 2012 volcanic activity resumed in a milder form within the Bocca Nuova crater, before it came to an essential halt in August 2012. All these unrests offer rich material for testing automatic procedures of data processing and alert systems, running 24/7, in the context of volcano surveillance. We focus on the seismic background radiation – volcanic tremor – which plays a key role in the monitoring of Mt. Etna. Since 2006 a multistation alert system has been established in the INGV operative centre of Catania exploiting STA/LTA ratios. Besides, also the spectral characteristics of the signal, which change correspondingly to the type of volcanic activity, can be exploited for warning purposes. Here we apply Self Organizing Maps and Fuzzy Clustering which offer an efficient way to visualize signal characteristics and its development with time. All these techniques allow to identify early stages of eruptive events, and automatically flag a critical status before this becomes evident in conventional monitoring techniques. Changes of tremor characteristics are related to the position of the source of the signal. The location of the sources exploits the distribution of the amplitudes across the seismic network. The locations were extremely useful for warning, throughout both the flank eruption in 2008 as well as the 2011 lava fountains, during which a clear migration of tremor sources towards the eruptive centres could be noticed in advance. The location of the sources completes the picture of an imminent volcanic unrest, and corroborates early warnings flagged by the changes of signal characteristics. Real time data processing requires computational efficiency, robustness of the methods and stability of data acquisition. The amplitude based multi-station approach is not sensitive to the failure of single stations and therefore offers a good stability. The single station approach, exploiting unsupervised classification techniques, limits logistic efforts, as only one or few key stations are necessary. Both strategies have proven to be insensitive to disturbances (undesired transients like earthquakes, noise, short gaps in the continuous data flow). False alarms were not encountered so far. Stable data acquisition and processing come with a properly designed data storage solution. The reliability of data storage and its access is a critical issue. A cluster architecture has been realized for failover protection, including a Storage Area Network system, which allow easy data access following predefined user policies. We present concepts of the software architectures deployed at INGV Osservatorio Etneo in order to implement this tremor-based multi approach system. We envisage the integration of seismic data and those originating from other scientific fields (e. g., volcano imagery, geochemistry, deformation, gravity, magneto-telluric). This will facilitate cross-checking of evidences encountered from the single data streams, in particular allow their immediate verification with respect to ground truth.

Description: Published

Description: Nicolosi (Catania, Italy)

Description: 1.4. TTC - Sorveglianza sismologica delle aree vulcaniche attive

Description: 5.6. TTC - Attività di Sala Operativa

Description: open

Description: The present study illustrates the procedures applied for the coordinate system conversion of the historical fumarole positions at La Fossa crater, to allow their comparison with newly acquired global positioning system (GPS) data. Due to the absence of ground control points in the field and on both the old Gauss Boaga and the new UTM WGS 1984 maps, we had to model the transformation errors between the two systems using differential GPS techniques. Once corrected, the maps show a residual Easting shifting, due to erroneous georeferencing of the original base maps; this is corrected by morphological comparative methods. The good correspondence between the corrected positions of the historical data and the results of the new GPS survey that was carried out in 2009 highlights the good quality of the old surveys, although they were carried out without the use of accurate topographical instruments.

Description: Published

Description: 297-303

Description: 1.2. TTC - Sorveglianza geochimica delle aree vulcaniche attive

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: In the past, variations in the chemical contents (SO4 2−, Cl−, cations) of crater lake water have not systematically demonstrated any relationships with eruptive activity. Intensive parameters (i.e., concentrations, temperature, pH, salinity) should be converted into extensive parameters (i.e., fluxes, changes with time of mass and solutes), taking into account all the internal and external chemical–physical factors that affect the crater lake system. This study presents a generalized box model approach that can be useful for geochemical monitoring of active crater lakes, as highly dynamic natural systems. The mass budget of a lake is based on observations of physical variations over a certain period of time: lake volume (level, surface area), lake water temperature, meteorological precipitation, air humidity, wind velocity, input of spring water, and overflow of the lake. This first approach leads to quantification of the input and output fluxes that contribute to the actual crater lake volume. Estimating the input flux of the "volcanic" fluid (Qf - kg/s) –– an unmeasurable subsurface parameter –– and tracing its variations with time is the major focus during crater lake monitoring. Through expanding the mass budget into an isotope and chemical budget of the lake, the box model helps to qualitatively characterize the fluids involved. The (calculated) Cl− content and dD ratio of the rising "volcanic" fluid defines its origin. With reference to continuous monitoring of crater lakes, the present study provides tips that allow better calculation of Qf in the future. At present, this study offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date literature review on active crater lakes.

Description: Published

Description: 161-173

Description: 1.2. TTC - Sorveglianza geochimica delle aree vulcaniche attive

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: Several volcanoes worldwide have shown changes in their stress state as a consequence of the deformation produced by the pressurization of a magmatic body. This study investigates seismic swarms occurring on the western flank of Mt. Etna in January 1997 - January 1998. Integrating seismic observations and geodetic data, we constrained the seismogenic fault system, and on the basis of stress tensor inversion and SHMAX analyses, we infer an inflating pressure source located at 5.5 km b.s.l. beneath the west portion of summit area. Evaluation of Coulomb failure stress (CFS) related to the proposed model, showed how a large part of the seismogenic fault underwent a significant CFS increase (500 kPa). We infer the presence of a sub-vertical faulted region, potentially weak, N50°E oriented beneath the western sector of Mt. Etna. This structure could be brought closer to failure thereby generating seismic swarms as the effect of elastic stress transfer induced by movement and/or overpressure of magmatic masses within the upper crust under the volcano.

Description: This research was funded by the INGV–DPC 2007–2009 Agreement (Project V4_Flank).

Description: Published

Description: 339-348

Description: 1.4. TTC - Sorveglianza sismologica delle aree vulcaniche attive

Description: JCR Journal

Description: restricted

Description: Methane soil flux measurements have been made in 38 sites at the geothermal system of Sousaki (Greece) with the closed chamber method. Fluxes range from –47.6 to 29,150 mg m-2 d-1 and the diffuse CH4 output of the system has been estimated at 19 t a-1. Contemporaneous CO2 flux measurements showed a moderate positive correlation between CO2 and CH4 fluxes. Comparison of the CO2/CH4 soil flux ratios with the CO2/CH4 ratio of the gases of the main gas manifestations provided evidence for methanotrophic activity within the soil. Laboratory CH4 consumption experiments confirmed the presence of methanotrophic microorganisms in soil samples collected at Sousaki. Consumption was generally in the range from –4.9 to –38.9 pmolCH4 h-1 g-1 but could sometimes reach extremely high values (–33,000 pmolCH4 h-1 g-1.). These results are consistent with recent studies on other geothermal systems that revealed the existence of thermoacidophilic bacteria exerting methanotrophic activity in hot, acid soils, thereby reducing methane emissions to the atmosphere.

Description: Published

Description: 97–107

Description: 4.5. Studi sul degassamento naturale e sui gas petroliferi

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: Volcanic emissions are considered one of the major natural sources of several trace metals (e.g. As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) to the atmosphere [Nriagu, 1989], and the geochemical cycles of these elements have to be considered strongly influenced by volcanic input. However, the accurate estimation of the global volcanic emissions of volatile trace metals into the atmosphere is still affected by a high level of uncertainty. The latter depends on the large variability in the emission of the different volcanoes, and on their changing stage of activity. Moreover, only few of the potential sources in the world have been directly measured [Hinkley et al. 1999]. Atmospheric deposition processes (wet and dry) are the pathways through which volcanic emissions return to the ground (soils, plants, aquifers), resulting in both harmful and beneficial effects [Baxter et al. 1982; Aiuppa et al. 2000; Brusca et al. 2001; Delmelle, 2003; Bellomo et al. 2007; Martin et al. 2009; Floor et al. 2011; Calabrese et al. 2011]. In the first part of this study we present the results of a literature review on trace metals emissions from active volcanoes around the world. In the second part, we present new data on the fluxes of the trace metals from Etna (Italy) and four active volcanoes in the world: Turrialba (Costarica), Nyiragongo (DRC), Mutnovsky and Gorely (Kamchatka). We found 27 publications (the first dating back to the 70’s), 13 of which relate to the Etna and the other include some of the world’s most active volcanoes: Mt. St. Helens, Erebus, Merapi, White Island, Kilauea, Popocatepetl, Galeras, Indonesian arc, Satasuma and Masaya. The review shows that currently there are very few data available, and that the most studied volcano is Mt. Etna. Using these data, we defined a range of fluxes for As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Se, V and Zn (Figure 1). To obtain new data we sampled particulate filters at the five above mentioned volcanoes. Filters were mineralized (acid digestion) and analyzed by ICP-MS. Sulphur to trace element ratios were related to sulphur fluxes to indirectly estimate trace elements fluxes. Etna confirms to be one of the greatest point sources in the world. The Nyiragongo results to be also a significant source of metals to the atmosphere, especially considering its persistent state of degassing from the lava lake. Also Turrialba and Gorely have high emission rates of trace metals considering the global range. Only Mutnovsky Volcano show values which are sometimes lower than the range obtained from the review, consistent with the fact that it is mainly a fumarolic field. This work highlights the need to expand the current dataset including many other active volcanoes for a better constraint of global trace metal fluxes from active volcanoes.

Description: Published

Description: Nicolosi (Catania)

Description: 1.2. TTC - Sorveglianza geochimica delle aree vulcaniche attive

Description: open

Description: Volcanic emissions represent one of the most relevant natural sources of trace elements to the troposphere, both during and between eruptions. Due to their potential toxicity they may have important environmental impacts from the local to the global scale. Mount Etna, the largest European volcano and one of the most active volcano in the world, covers an area of about 1250 km2 and reaches an altitude of about 3340 m. It has been persistently active during historical time, with frequent paroxysmal episodes separated by passive degassing periods. Atmospheric precipitation was collected approximately every two weeks, from April 2006 to December 2007, using a network of five rain gauges, located at various altitudes on the upper flanks around the summit craters of Etna Volcano. The collected samples were analysed for major (Ca, Mg, K, Na, F, SO4, Cl, NO3) and a large suite of trace elements (Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Si, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, Zn) by using different techniques (IC, SPEC, ICP-MS and CV-AFS). The monitoring of atmospheric deposition gave the opportunity to occasionally sample volcanic fresh ashes emitted by the volcano during the paroxysmal events. This was possible because the network of five rain gauges were equipped with a filter-system to block the coarse material. In this way, more than twenty events of ashfall were collected. Unfortunately, only half of these samples were suitable for a complete chemical analysis, because of the small amount of sample. In order to obtain elemental chemical composition of ashes, powdered samples were analysed by a combination of methods, including X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), total digestion followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), and infrared detection (IR). The chemistry of rainwater reveals that most of the investigated elements have higher concentrations close to the emission vent of the volcano, confirming the prevailing volcanic contribution. Rainwater composition clearly reflects the volcanic plume input. Ash-normalised rainwater composition indicates a contrasting behaviour between volatile elements, which are highly-enriched in rainwater, and refractory elements, which have low rainwater/ash concentration ratios. The degree of interaction between collected ash and rainwater was variable, depending on several factors: (i) the length of the period in which tephra was present in the sampler (the ash fall may have occurred any day from the first to the last day of the rain collecting period); (ii) the amount of rainwater fallen on the collectors after the ash-fall event, and its acidity; (iii) the granulometry of the ash samples that was widely variable (from few centimetres to micrometric particles) increasing the interaction with decreasing dimensions of the grains; (iv) the distance of collector with respect to the craters. In order to investigate the role of volcanic ash on the evolution of the rainwater chemistry, absolute concentrations of rain and ash were plotted in binary plot diagrams (Figure 1). Each diagram corresponds to a single event, and pH and TDS of the solution collected is reported. The diagonal bars in the diagrams represent the rain/ash ratios (1:1 and 1:10000). The results confirm that sulphate and halide salt aerosols are adsorbed onto ash particles, and their rate of dissolution in rainwater depends on solubility. Moreover, rapid chemical weathering of the silicate glass by volcanic acid (SO2, HCl and HF) can also explain the enrichment of several refractory elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Si, Al, Fe, Ti, Sc). Our observations highlight how explosive activity can increase enormously the deposition rate of several chemical elements, up to several km away from the emission vents.

Description: Published

Description: Nicolosi (Catania)

Description: 1.2. TTC - Sorveglianza geochimica delle aree vulcaniche attive

Description: open

Description: This thematic issue of Geofluids includes 11 papers representing the three main topics discussed in the 10th edition of the International Conference on Gas Geochemistry (ICGG-10): (i) gas in petroleum systems and seepage, (ii) gas in geothermal systems and volcanoes and (iii) gas, seismicity and geohazards. ICGG-10 was held in 2009 in Romania, a country extraordinarily rich in surface gas manifestations, that offers innumerable opportunities for innovative studies on gas geochemistry. We briefly describe the present knowledge on gases occurring both in petroliferous sedimentary basins and geothermal areas of Romania. The 11 contributions of this special issue, which include data from eight countries, are then summarised. Based on these papers and other works presented at the ICGG-10, we find that significant advances in analytical capabilities, data treating and interpretation have led to innovative insights into the origin, distribution and environmental impact of gases migrating to the Earth’s surface. It is increasingly clear, in particular, that gas geochemistry can be more effective for petroleum exploration, volcano-tectonic, geodynamic and environmental studies, if multiparametric studies are performed and the data are interpreted in the geological context.

Description: Published

Description: 457-462

Description: 4.5. Studi sul degassamento naturale e sui gas petroliferi

Description: JCR Journal

Description: restricted

Description: Gas seepage from petroleum basins is the second largest natural source of methane to the atmosphere, after wetlands. The uncertainty in global emission estimates should be reduced by extending the flux database which is fundamental for defining the emission factors and the actual area of seepage adopted for up-scaling. As a contribution to this goal, we report a new seepage data-set for the Transylvanian Basin, one of the largest natural gas producing regions of Europe, that is characterized by the widespread occurrence of natural leakages of gas at the surface, including at least 73 mud volcanoes and gas seeps. In this study, methane flux was measured using closed-chambers, from 12 seepage sites, in correspondence with focused gas vents (mud volcano craters, bubbling pools, and flammable gas leaks), in the soil surrounding the vents, and at 15 sites located far from macroseep zones but close to gas fields. Fluxes from individual vents (macro-seeps) were found to reach orders of kg CH4 m)2 day)1 (up to 12 kg m)2 day)1) and diffuse fluxes from soils (miniseepage) were found to be up to a few g CH4 m)2 day)1. Far from seep zones, positive CH4 fluxes (microseepage) may occur locally, typically on the order of tens to hundreds of mg m)2 day)1. The values, as well as the occurrence of seepage even far from vent zones and in mud volcanoes that are apparently extinct, are coherent with results obtained in other countries. Gas fluxes from macro-seeps and soils may change seasonally, but the interannual variation of the average emission factor was found to be minimal. The total CH4 output for Transylvania macro-seeps is estimated conservatively to be around 680 t year)1; the total geo-CH4 seepage emission from the Transylvania petroleum system could be approximately 40 · 103 t year)1, and at least 100 · 103 t year)1 for all Romanian petroleum systems, that is roughly 10% of the total anthropogenic CH4 emission in the country.

Description: Published

Description: 463-475

Description: 4.5. Studi sul degassamento naturale e sui gas petroliferi

Description: JCR Journal

Description: restricted

Description: Natural gas seeps in the Alpine region are poorly investigated. However, they can provide useful information regarding the hydrocarbon potential of sedimentary Alpine units and related geofluid migration, typically controlled by pressurized gas accumulations and tectonics. A gas seep located near Giswil, in the Swiss Northern Alps, was investigated, for the first time, for molecular and isotopic gas composition, methane flux to the atmosphere, and gas flux variations over time. The analyses indicated that the gas was thermogenic (CH4 〉 96%; d13C1: )35.5& to )40.2&) and showed evidence of subsurface petroleum biodegradation (13C-enriched CO2, and very low C3+ concentrations). The source rock in the region is marine Type II kerogen, which is likely the same as that providing thermogenic gas in the nearby Wilen shallow well, close to Lake Sarnen. However, the lack of d13CCO2 and d13C3 data for that well prevented us from determining whether the Wilen and Giswil seeps are fed by the same reservoir and seepage system. Gas fluxes from the Giswil seep, measured using a closedchamber system, were significant and mainly from two major vents. However, a substantial gas exhalation from the soil occurs diffusely in an area of at least 115 m2, leading to a total CH4 output conservatively estimated to be at least 16 tonnes per year. Gas flux variations, monitored over a 1-month period by a special tent and flowmeter, showed not only daily meteorological oscillations, but also an intrinsic ‘pulsation’ with periods of enhanced flux that lasted 2–6 h each, occurring every few days. The pulses are likely related to episodes of gas pressure build-up and discharge along the seepage system. However, to date, no relationship to seismicity in the active Sarnen strike-slip fault system has been established.

Description: Published

Description: 476-485

Description: 4.5. Studi sul degassamento naturale e sui gas petroliferi

Description: JCR Journal

Description: restricted