The 2002-2003 and 2007 eruptions at Stromboli (Italy): A geochemical monitoring approach
Abstract
Stromboli volcano is famous worldwide for its persistent mildly explosive activity (e.g. "Strombolian activity"). These intermittent explosions usually occur at intervals of 10-20 minutes, throwing glowing scoriae, ash and solid blocks to heights up to a few hundreds of meters. This "normal" activity is episodically interrupted by lava effusions and by more violent explosions, called "major explosions" and "paroxysm". The last explosive paroxysm occurred on April 5, 2003, during an effusive phase of the volcano which began on December 28, 2002, as well producing a slope collapse and consequent tsunami. Although the volcano geophysical monitoring net-work had been strongly reinforced after the eruption onset, no sign has been recorded in the seismic activity or in the ground deformation, heralding the impending large explosion. Some significant geochemical changes were instead observed in the fumarolic crater area and in the thermal water of shallow wells located near the coast, suggesting that relevant inputs of magmatic gas into the shallow aquifer occurred both before the eruptive onset and the following explosive paroxysm. These thermal waters look therefore as a promising target for the geochemical monitoring of Stromboli as a connection likely exists with deeper gas releasing systems, such as the volcano magma chamber and, possibly, a deep seated geothermal reservoir. On the basis of the acquired experience during the 2002-2003 eruption we have improved our geochemical network with remote continuous stations to measure dissolved CO2 in the thermal well and plume SO2 fluxes. A preliminary results of ongoing eruption starting by February 27, 2007 are also showed.
- Publication:
-
AGU Spring Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2007
- Bibcode:
- 2007AGUSM.V34A..03I
- Keywords:
-
- 1009 Geochemical modeling (3610;
- 8410);
- 1094 Instruments and techniques;
- 3610 Geochemical modeling (1009;
- 8410);
- 8410 Geochemical modeling (1009;
- 3610);
- 8430 Volcanic gases