ALBERT

Description: The simulation of a stacked radargram requires the calculation of a set of common-source experiments and application of the standard processing sequence. To reduce computing time, a zero-offset stacked section can be obtained with a single simulation, by using the exploding-reflector concept and the so-called non-reflecting wave equation. This non-physical modification of the wave equation implies a constant impedance model to avoid multiple reflections, which are, in principle, absent from stacked sections and constitute unwanted artifacts in migration processes. Magnetic permeability is used as a free parameter to obtain a constant impedance model and avoid multiple reflections. The reflection strength is then implicit in the source strength. Moreover, the method generates normal-incidence reflections, i.e. those having identical downgoing and upgoing wave paths.Exploding reflector experiments provide correct travel times of diffraction and reflection events, in contrast to the plane-wave method.

Description: Published

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: The number concentrations and size distributions of aerosol particles 〉0.3 mm diameter were measured at the summit of Mount Etna and up to 10 km downwind from the degassing vents during July and August 2004. Aerosol number concentrations reached in excess of 9 106 L 1 at summit vents, compared to 4–8 104 L 1 in background air. Number concentrations of intermediate size particles were higher in emissions from the Northeast crater compared to other summit crater vents, and chemical composition measurements showed that Northeast crater aerosols contained a higher mineral cation content compared to those from Voragine or Bocca Nuova, attributed to Strombolian or gas puffing activity within the vent. Downwind from the summit the airborne plume was located using zenith sky ultraviolet spectroscopy. Simultaneous measurements indicated a coincidence of elevated ground level aerosol concentrations with overhead SO2, demonstrating rapid downward mixing of the plume onto the lower flanks of the volcano under certain meteorological conditions. At downwind sites the ground level particle number concentrations were elevated in all size fractions, notably in the 2.0–7.5 mm size range. These findings are relevant for assessing human health hazard and suggest that aerosol size distribution measurements may aid volcanic risk management.

Description: Published

Description: D10302

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: The chemical and isotopic compositions of the precipitation at Stromboli Island, Italy, were investigated between October 2003 and October 2005. We employed a rain gauge network designed to cover the range in exposures and elevations of the volcanic edifice. The hydrogen and oxygen isotopic ratios vary greatly on a seasonal basis and correlate with air temperature. Deuterium excess values show a positive correlation with altitude. No direct contribution of volcanogenic H or O is evident in the isotopic composition of the rainwater. The chemical composition of the rainwater is principally controlled by the sea aerosol contribution at the coastal sites, whereas it is significantly influenced by volcanic activity near the summit vents. Interaction with volcanic acid gases is indicated by the pH, which is usually 1–2 units lower near the craters than at the coastal sites. The S/Cl, Cl/F, and S/F molar ratios in rainwater 1.5 km from the craters are consistent with those measured in the volcanic plume using other methods (diffusive tubes and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). Rising of undegassed magmas changes these molar ratios because of the differential degassing of sulphur, chlorine, and fluorine from the magma. We therefore propose that the chemical composition of precipitation, within 1.5 km of the craters, provides additional information that is useful for monitoring volcanic activity at Stromboli Island. Moreover, this paper presents estimates of the fluxes of F, Cl, S, Na, K, Ca, and Mg to the soil that could be useful for geochemical studies on groundwater.

Description: Published

Description: Q07006

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: Gli autori sono anche gli Editor di questo numero speciale

Description: N. A.

Description: Published

Description: V-VII

Description: 1.6. Osservazioni di geomagnetismo

Description: 1.8. Osservazioni di geofisica ambientale

Description: 2.6. TTC - Laboratorio di gravimetria, magnetismo ed elettromagnetismo in aree attive

Description: 3.4. Geomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: Methane plays an important role in the Earth’s atmospheric chemistry and radiative balance being the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. Methane is released to the atmosphere by a wide number of sources, both natural and anthropogenic, with the latter being twice as large as the former (IPCC, 2007). It has recently been established that significant amounts of geological methane, produced within the Earth’s crust, are currently released naturally into the atmosphere (Etiope, 2004). Active or recent volcanic/geothermal areas represent one of these sources of geological methane. But due to the fact that methane flux measurements are laboratory intensive, very few data have been collected until now and the contribution of this source has been generally indirectly estimated (Etiope et al., 2007). The Greek territory is geodynamically very active and has many volcanic and geothermal areas. Here we report on methane flux measurements made at two volcanic/geothermal systems along the South Aegean volcanic arc: Sousaki and Nisyros. The former is an extinct volcanic area of Plio-Pleistocene age hosting nowadays a low enthalpy geothermal field. The latter is a currently quiescent active volcanic system with strong fumarolic activity due to the presence of a high enthalpy geothermal system. Both systems have gas manifestations that emit significant amounts of hydrothermal methane and display important diffuse carbon dioxide emissions from the soils. New data on methane isotopic composition and higher hydrocarbon contents point to an abiogenic origin of the hydrothermal methane in the studied systems. Measured methane flux values range from –48 to 29,000 (38 sites) and from –20 to 1100 mg/mˆ2/d (35 sites) at Sousaki and Nisyros respectively. At Sousaki measurement sites covered almost all the degassing area and the diffuse methane output can be estimated in about 20 t/a from a surface of about 10,000 mˆ2. At Nisyros measurements covered the Stephanos and Kaminakia areas, which represent only a part of the entire degassing area. The two areas show very different methane degassing pattern with latter showing much higher flux values. Methane output can be estimated in about 0.25 t/a from an area of about 30,000 mˆ2 at Stephanos and about 1 t/a from an area of about 20,000 mˆ2 at Kaminakia. The total output from the entire geothermal system of Nisyros probably should not exceed 2 t/a.

Description: Published

Description: Vienna, Austria

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

Description: open

Description: A biomonitoring survey, above tree line level, using two endemic species (Senecio aethnensis and Rumex aethnensis) was performed on Mt. Etna, in order to evaluate the dispersion and the impact of volcanic atmospheric emissions. Samples of leaves were collected in summer 2008 from 30 sites in the upper part of the volcano (1500- 3000 m a.s.l). Acid digestion of samples was carried out with a microwave oven, and 44 elements were analyzed by using plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS and ICP-OES). The highest concentrations of all investigated elements were found in the samples collected closest to the degassing craters, and in the downwind sector, confirming that the eastern flank of Mt. Etna is the most impacted by volcanic emissions. Leaves collected along two radial transects from the active vents on the eastern flank, highlight that the levels of metals decrease one or two orders of magnitude with increasing distance from the source. This variability is higher for volatile elements (As, Bi, Cd, Cs, Pb, Sb, Tl) than for more refractory elements (Al, Ba, Sc, Si, Sr, Th, U). The two different species of plants do not show significant differences in the bioaccumulation of most of the analyzed elements, except for lanthanides, which are systematically enriched in Rumex leaves. The high concentrations of many toxic elements in the leaves allow us to consider these plants as highly tolerant species to the volcanic emissions, and suitable for biomonitoring researches in the Mt. Etna area.

Description: Published

Description: Vienna, Austria

Description: 4.4. Scenari e mitigazione del rischio ambientale

Description: open

Description: This guide reports the description of the experimental apparata in use in the experimental petrology along with an accurate description of some applications of these instrumentations. After a brief introduction concerning what is the experimental petrology and what is used for, we provide a description of the starting materials used in this field of the Earth Sciences. Moreover, particular attention is focused on these apparata used all around the world. We, finally, introduce some examples of different studies conducted with the different experimental equipments. The aim of this guide is, then, to give information concerning the equipments and their potentiality.

Description: Published

Description: 1-20

Description: 2.3. TTC - Laboratori di chimica e fisica delle rocce

Description: N/A or not JCR

Description: open

Description: Volcanoes represent an important natural source of several trace elements to the atmosphere. For some species (e.g., As, Cd, Pb and Se) they may be the main natural source and thereby strongly influencing geochemical cycles from the local to the global scale. Mount Etna is one of the most actively degassing volcanoes in the world, and it is considered to be, on the long-term average, the major atmospheric point source of many environmental harmful compounds. Their emission occurs either through continuous passive degassing from open-conduit activity or through sporadic paroxysmal eruptive activity, in the form of gases, aerosols or particulate. To estimate the environmental impact of magma-derived trace metals and their depositions processes, rainwater and snow samples were collected at Mount Etna area. Five bulk collectors have been deployed at various altitudes on the upper flanks around the summit craters of the volcano; samples were collected every two week for a period of one year and analyzed for the main chemical-physical parameters (electric conductivity and pH) and for major and trace elements concentrations. Chemical analysis of rainwater clearly shows that the volcanic contribution is always prevailing in the sampling site closest to the summit crater (about 1.5 km). In the distal sites (5.5-10 km from the summit) and downwind of the summit craters, the volcanic contribution is also detectable but often overwhelmed by anthropogenic or other natural (seawater spray, geogenic dust) contributions. Volcanic contribution may derive from both dry and wet deposition of gases and aerosols from the volcanic plume, but sometimes also from leaching of freshly emitted volcanic ashes. In fact, in our background site (7.5 km in the upwind direction) volcanic contribution has been detected only following an ash deposition event. About 30 samples of fresh snow were collected in the upper part of the volcano, during the winters 2006 and 2007 to estimate deposition processes at high altitude during cold periods. Some of the samples were collected immediately after a major explosive event from the summit craters to understand the interaction between snow and fresh erupted ash. Sulphur, Chlorine and Fluorine, are the major elements that prevailingly characterize the volcanic contribution in atmospheric precipitation on Mount Etna, but high concentrations of many trace elements are also detected in the studied samples. In particular, bulk deposition samples display high concentration of Al, Fe, Ti, Cu, As, Rb, Pb, Tl, Cd, Cr, U and Ag, in the site most exposed to the volcanic emissions: median concentration values are about two orders of magnitude higher than those measured in our background site. Also in the snow samples the volcanic signature is clearly detectable and decreases with distance from the summit craters. Some of the analysed elements display very high enrichment values with respect to the average crust and, in the closest site to the summit craters, also deposition values higher than those measured in polluted urban or industrial sites.

Description: Published

Description: Vienna, Austria

Description: 4.5. Degassamento naturale

Description: open

Description: Improving the constraints on the atmospheric fate and depletion rates of acidic compounds persistently emitted by non-erupting (quiescent) volcanoes is important for quantitatively predicting the environmental impact of volcanic gas plumes. Here, we present new experimental data coupled with modelling studies to investigate the chemical processing of acidic volcanogenic species during tropospheric dispersion. Diffusive tube samplers were deployed at Mount Etna, a very active open-conduit basaltic volcano in eastern Sicily, and Vulcano Island, a closed-conduit quiescent volcano in the Aeolian Islands (northern Sicily). Sulphur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen sulphide (H2S), hydrogen chloride (HCl) and hydrogen fluoride (HF) concentrations in the volcanic plumes (typically several minutes to a few hours old) were repeatedly determined at distances from the summit vents ranging from 0.1 to ~10 km, and under different environmental conditions. At both volcanoes, acidic gas concentrations were found to decrease exponentially with distance from the summit vents (e.g., SO2 decreases from ~10,000 μg/m3 at 0.1 km from Etna’s vents down to ~7 _μg/m3 at ~10km distance), reflecting the atmospheric dilution of the plume within the acid gas-free background troposphere. Conversely, SO2/HCl, SO2/HF, and SO2/H2S ratios in the plume showed no systematic changes with plume aging, and fit source compositions within analytical error. Assuming that SO2 losses by reaction are small during short-range atmospheric transport within quiescent (ash-free) volcanic plumes, our observations suggest that, for these short transport distances, atmospheric reactions for H2S and halogens are also negligible. The one-dimensional model MISTRA was used to simulate quantitatively the evolution of halogen and sulphur compounds in the plume of Mt. Etna. Model predictions support the hypothesis of minor HCl chemical processing during plume transport, at least in cloud-free conditions. Larger variations in the modelled SO2/HCl ratios were predicted under cloudy conditions, due to heterogeneous chlorine cycling in the aerosol phase. The modelled evolution of the SO2/H2S ratios is found to be substantially dependent on whether or not the interactions of H2S with halogens are included in the model. In the former case, H2S is assumed to be oxidized in the atmosphere mainly by OH, which results in minor chemical loss for H2S during plume aging and produces a fair match between modelled and measured SO2/H2S ratios. In the latter case, fast oxidation of H2S by Cl leads to H2S chemical lifetimes in the early plume of a few seconds, and thus SO2 to H2S ratios that increase sharply during plume transport. This disagreement between modelled and observed plume compositions suggests that more in-detail kinetic investigations are required for a proper evaluation of H2S chemical processing in volcanic plumes.

Description: Published

Description: 1441-1450

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

Description: 4.5. Degassamento naturale

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: Finding the geometry of aquifers in an active volcano is important for evaluating the hazards associated with phreatomagmatic phenomena and incidentally to address the problem of water supply. A combination of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), self-potential, CO2, and temperature measurements provides insights about the location and pattern of ground water flow at Stromboli volcano. The measurements were conducted along a NE-SW profile across the island from Scari to Ginostra, crossing the summit (Pizzo) area. ERT data (electrode spacing 20 m, depth of penetration of 200 m) shows the shallow architecture through the distribution of the resistivities. The hydrothermal system is characterized by low values of the resistivity (〈50 W m) while the surrounding rocks are resistive (〉2000 W m) except on the North-East flank of the volcano where a cold aquifer is detected at a depth of 80 m (resistivity in the range 70–300 W m). CO2 and temperature measurements corroborate the delineation of the hydrothermal body in the summit part of the volcano while a negative self-potential anomaly underlines the position of the cold aquifer.

Description: Published

Description: L17304

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: Geophysical methods are increasingly used to detect and locate illegal waste disposal and buried toxic steel drums. This study describes the results of a test carried out in clayey-sandy ground where 12 empty steel drums had previously been buried at 4-5 m below ground level. This test was carried out with three geophysical methods for steel-drum detection: a magnetometric survey, electrical resistivity tomography with different arrays, and a multifrequency frequency-domain electromagnetic induction survey. The data show that as partially expected, the magnetometric and electromagnetic induction surveys detected the actual steel drums buried in the subsurface, while the electrical resistivity tomography mainly detected the changes in some of the physical properties of the terrain connected with the digging operations, rather than the actual presence of the steel drums.

Description: Published

Description: 105-114

Description: 1.8. Osservazioni di geofisica ambientale

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: Recently Russian seismologists reported the triggering effect of MHD soundings on microseismic activity in the Central Asia test area.The paper focuses on an experimental test of the possibility of triggering the mechanical instability of a system that is close to critical state by a series of electromagnetic pulses.The mechanical system consisted of two pieces of rock;the upper piece can slip on the fixed supporting sample if the latter one is tilted up to the critical angle.In this state,the triggering of mechanical instability by some weak impact such as electrical pulse became more probable.The slope of support in the experiment is an analogue of tectonic stress in natural conditions.The preliminary experiments,carried out in a dry environment,at the humidity of atmosphere 30-50%,show that a strong EM-pulse induces sliding of a sample of rock (granite,basalt,labradorite)placed on the supporting sample which is inclined at the slope close to,but less than,the critical angle with a probability 0.07.

Description: Published

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: Tectonomagnetic field observations from absolute magnetic field level measurements were undertaken in Central Italy in an area extending between latitude 41°N and 43°N and between longitude 13°E and 15°E. Moreover,natural electromagnetic signals from a system of two VLF search coil wide-band antennas were collected at the geomagnetic observatory of L Aquila (42º23'N, 13º19'E). The analysis of these data allowed the investigation of the electromagnetic properties of the study area at different time and spatial lengthscales. Tectonomagnetic field observations were obtained comparing data simultaneously recorded at three magnetometer stations using L'Aquila Observatory as a reference for differentiation. We report on the time evolution of magnetic and electromagnetic indicators related to local and regional seismic activity.

Description: Published

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: The electrical behaviour of marble samples from Penteli Mountain was studied while they were subjected to uniaxial stress. The application of consecutive impulsive variations of uniaxial stress to thirty connatural samples produced Pressure Stimulated Currents (PSC). The linear relationship between the recorded PSC and the applied variation rate was investigated. The main results are the following: as far as the samples were under pressure corresponding to their elastic region, the maximum PSC value obeyed a linear law with respect to pressure variation. In the plastic region deviations were observed which were due to variations of Young s modulus. Furthermore, a special burst form of PSC recordings during failure is presented. The latter is emitted when irregular longitudinal splitting is observed during failure.

Description: Published

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: This work deals with the evaluation of the structural set-up of the southern part of Sinai Peninsula, Gulf of Suez and western part of Gulf of Suez from magnetic, gravity, and seismic data. The utilised techniques including the Least Squares separation method suggest NW, NE, and E-W trends. The trend analysis shows north 35°-45° west, north 15°-25° east and E-W which may be related to the Gulf of Suez and Red Sea stresses.The Euler deconvolution illustrates that the area is highly affected by these trends. Depths range from 1 km to more than 3 km below sea level and its magnetic susceptibility ranges between 1 to 3 SI units. The 2.5D magnetic modelling and analytical signal techniques confirm the depths to the magnetic sources deduced by the Euler method, whereas the depth to the basement rocks ranges between 0 km to about 3 km indicating that it is subjected to strong tectonic activities. In addition, two seismic sections (EG-31 and MP-70), compiled by the Egyptian General Petroleum Cooperation (EGPC), were interpreted together with a geologic cross section. The studied area may be divided into several major blocks along the Gulf of Suez area. It can be concluded that the sedimentary was affected by basement tectonics as revealed by the two seismic sections.

Description: Published

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: Volcanic eruptions are unsteady multiphase phenomena, which encompass many inter-related processes across the whole range of scales from molecular and microscopic to macroscopic, synoptic and global. We provide an overview of recent advances in numerical modelling of volcanic effects, from conduit and eruption column processes to those on the Earth s climate. Conduit flow models examine ascent dynamics and multiphase processes like fragmentation, chemical reactions and mass transfer below the Earth surface. Other models simulate atmospheric dispersal of the erupted gas-particle mixture, focusing on rapid processes occurring in the jet, the lower convective regions, and pyroclastic density currents. The ascending eruption column and intrusive gravity current generated by it, as well as sedimentation and ash dispersal from those flows in the immediate environment of the volcano are examined with modular and generic models. These apply simplifications to the equations describing the system depending on the specific focus of scrutiny. The atmospheric dispersion of volcanic clouds is simulated by ash tracking models. These are inadequate for the first hours of spreading in many cases but focus on long-range prediction of ash location to prevent hazardous aircraft - ash encounters. The climate impact is investigated with global models. All processes and effects of explosive eruptions cannot be simulated by a single model, due to the complexity and hugely contrasting spatial and temporal scales involved. There is now the opportunity to establish a closer integration between different models and to develop the first comprehensive description of explosive eruptions and of their effects on the ground, in the atmosphere, and on the global climate.

Description: Published

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: We present the results of ULF magnetic field observation at Karimshino station (Kamchatka, Russia). Using a case study we discovered an effect of suppression of ULF intensity about 2-6 days before rather strong and isolated seismic shocks (magnitude M = 4.6-6.6). It is revealed for nighttime and the horizontal component of ULF field (G) in the frequency range 0.01-0.1 Hz. Then we prove the reliability of the effect by computed correlation between G (or 1/G) and especially calculated seismic indexes Ks for the rather long period of observation from June 2000 to November 2001. Our recent data confirm the validity of the effect. We show here a similar result during a period of frequent strong seismic activity in April-May 2002. It is highly probable that the effect observed is connected with the increase in plasma density perturbations inside the ionosphere, which are induced by preseismic water and gas release at the ground surface and following energy transportation into the ionosphere by atmospheric gravity waves. Two models are discussed and computed: the first is a decrease of penetration coefficient of Alfven waves from the magnetosphere due to a turbulent increase in effective Pedersen conductivity in the ionosphere, and the second is a change in wave number (k) distribution of source ionospheric turbulence. One of the mechanisms or both could be responsible for the observed 2-3 times suppression of ULF magnetic field noise at the ground.

Description: Published

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: Two parts of the research are distinguished in this paper. The first part is devoted to the structure of signals of Acoustic Emission (AE) and electromagnetic emission (EME) which accompany the inelastic straining of terrestrial materials. Special attention is paid to the similarity of waveform of EME signals at various scale lengths. The second (and main) part of the work involves the investigation of AE responses to the action of additional power fields over strained rocks. Our experimental investigations have revealed the interrelation of acoustic emission activity to power actions applied externally (impacts of electromagnetic field). Different modes of responses to electromagnetic impact have been specified. The characteristics of such responses and their variations depending on the material of specimens tested and of electric parameters of external pulses during power impacts have been considered. A general conclusion on possible electromagnetic triggering of AE has been drawn,the prospects of further studies being outlined.

Description: Published

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: During the period just prior to an earthquake, an electomagnetic emission develops over seismic zones. In this paper, a model of excitation of magnetic fields over zones of volcanic activity is proposed. Movement of magma along volcanic channels precedes an earthquake, hydrodynamic processes in the moving magma can lead to formation of waves and vortices in the flow which, in turn, can cause development of magnetic fields in conducting magma. During this period, the movement of the magma intensifies leading to a corresponding intensification of the magnetic fields. In this paper, different possible sources of ULF pulsation in magma are examined,and the variable geomagnetic fields induced by this pulsation are estimated.

Description: Published

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: Some Deep Seismic Sounding (DSS) revealed low velocity layers in the upper and middle crust of old platforms. The layers are often characterised by a lower electrical resistivity. It is not clear, however, how reliable the layers recognized from DSS data are, if they are regular or occasional events and how they correlate with other geophysical parameters. To answer these questions the experimental DSS data obtained in the Baltic and Ukranian shields by different institutions were reinterpreted by the author with unified methods. The shield areas are well studied using both the DSS and high-frequency magnetotelluric sounding (MTS) methods. As a result a marked velocity inversion (waveguide) was observed in a 10 to 20 km depth range in the majority of the DSS profiles. An increase in the electrical conductivity is typical for the waveguide. A comparison of the results with the data from other platform regions allow the conclusion that this low velocity and high electrical conductivity layer has a global significance. In the continental crust, the layer is characterised by changes in the reflectivity pattern, earthquakes number and changes in velocity pattern where the block structure is transformed into a subhorizontal layering. These structural features suggest that the layers separate brittle and weak parts of the crust. Usually they play the role of detachment zones at crustal block moving. A possible factor responsible for this phenomenon is an increase in porosity and in the salinity of the waveguide pore water compared with the upper crust. This suggestion is confirmed by the Kola superdeep borehole data. Porosity increasing in the middle crust is explained by the change in rock mechanical properties with depth, by fracturing porosity and by dilatancy effect, at a depth of 10-20 km.

Description: Published

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: Laboratory investigations and field measurements show that the electrical behaviour of polluted soils is strongly non-linear at low frequencies. This phenomenon can be related to the class and the amount of pollutants. To measure this non-linearity, we used only monochromatic voltage waveform as input signal and analysed the current signals at first by means of the classical spectral analysis. In particular, the Total Harmonic Distortion % (THD%) and the Harmonic Distortion %(?) measure the non-linearity level and identify the frequency interval where the non-linear electrical behaviour is activated. This frequency interval can be related to the pollutant molecular size. Open interpretative problems were the following: 1) phase localization of the signal deformation; 2) «local» amplitude of the applied signal activating the distortion, and 3) numerical fit of the distortion. We employed the wavelet analysis to study the phenomenon. The wavelet technique breaks up a signal into shifted and scaled versions of the original wavelet, which is a waveform of limited duration. These features of the wavelets allow us to obtain current components that can be interpreted on the bases of a real physical meaning. By using the wavelet analysis, we obtained the phase localization of the ‘oscillations’ of the details and consequently the phase and amplitude of the applied signal. The sum of nine details provides a good numerical fit of the distorted signal. Starting from the wavelet analysis, we determined the physical conditions activating each distortion, testing some parameters on experimental data. The parameters that resulted most significant are the phase ? of the distortion activation and the product Vin?t (Vs) (where ?t is the time interval corresponding to the said ? and Vin is the integral tension applied to the sample on ?t). The latter parameter is in a very good agreement with field data of Advanced Monochromatic Spectral Induced Polarization (AMSIP) and restricts the physical interpretative hypotheses of distorted signals that are measured in the field. Typical experimental results will be shown as examples.

Description: Published

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: The paper presents a study, carried out in the context of TESEO project (Sistema di prospezione TDEM per l’Esplorazione Geofisica dei pianeti), for the design of a TDEM (Time Domain Electromagnetic Method) system suitable for planetary subsurface exploration. The TDEM technique has been selected since it is based on the parameter of electrical conductivity, which is generally capable of discriminating geological layered structures in a fully non-invasive manner, down to depths ranging several hundred meters. Furthermore, TDEM doesn’t need any material sample and intrinsically satisfies the planetary protection and cross contamination requirements. Finally, since the TDEM is a time-domain technique, it is in principle possible to retrieve information from different depths with single measurement. This last peculiarity makes the TDEM technique much more expeditious and flexible than analogous techniques operating in the frequency domain. The paper describes the purposes of TESEO project, the requirements due to space application and the preliminary system design.

Description: Published

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: A magnetotelluric (MT) profile comprising eight measuring sites was conducted in the Mygdonia basin, a European Seismological Test Site. The MT-stations were deployed in a direction almost perpendicular to the major axis of the sedimentary basin to cover the area between the Lagada and Volvi lakes. The earth beneath the measuring points was considered to consist of a 2D-regional basement coupled with local, near surface, 3D-inhomogeneities. Impedance tensor decomposition analysis in conjunction with the magnetotelluric study of Mohr circles was implemented in the MT-data. From the electric field polarization diagrams and the interpretation of the Mohr circles results it is inferred that the local structure at all the sites polarizes the electric field in comparable directions ranging from N60°E to N80°E, except for the cases of the two stations located at the northern and southern borders of the basin, where the boundary conditions produce a deviation. Furthermore, the deeper structure seems to be two-dimensional. The strike-direction of the 2D-basement was found to be ~ N70°E. Although the regional geological strike in the area is NW-SE, the regional geoelectric strike is more compatible with the orientation of the faults in the area.

Description: Published

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open