Geodetic Measurements and Modelling at Neapolitan Volcanoes(Southern Italy): Somma-Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei

We show the recent results about geodetic observations and modelling at two very explosive and densely populated volcanoes in Southern Italy, namely Somma-Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei caldera. The two areas, characterised by the highest volcanic risk in the World because of the density of population and exposed value, are among the best monitored ones in the World. Geodetic monitoring at these areas started more than 30 years ago, and was progressively improved in the last decade, including dense networks making use of both terrestrial and space techniques. The monitored period includes two strong unrests at Campi Flegrei caldera, not followed by eruptions, characterised by uplift of up to 3 m in few years, with rates up to 1 m/year, and intercurring subsidence with rates up to .08 m/year. Somma Vesuvius is on the contrary characterised, in the last 30 years, by a marked stability, except for a very localised subsidence at the young active center (Vesuvius) and a peculiar ring-like subsidence all around the volcanic edifice. The fast uplift and subsidence at Campi Flegrei has been modelled as due to shallow inflation sources and a dominant effect of passive slip along the ring faults bordering the collapsed area. Numerical modelling taking carefully into account the geometry of ring faults gives an accurate description of observed displacements. At Somma-Vesuvius, subsidence of Vesuvius cone is modelled in terms of gravitationally-induced slip along the contact limits between the older caldera and the younger active edifice. The ring-like subsidence around the whole edifice is modelled in terms of normal fault-like behaviour of the contacts among the loaded basement and the superimposed volcanic edifice, subject to the extensional tectonic stress of the area. Both models of ground deformations at the two areas appear very consistent with the behaviour of local volcano-tectonic seismicity, and enlighten the very important role played by volcano-tectonic structures in the genesis of ground deformations and seismicity.