Volcanic conduit migration over an active basement landslide at Mount Etna (Italy)

The flanks of volcanoes may slide in response to the loading of the edifice on a weak basement, magma push, and/or to tectonic stress. However, examples of stratovolcanoes emplaced on active landslides are lacking and the possible effects on the volcano dynamics unknown. Here, we use aeromagnetic data to construct a three-dimensional model of the clay-rich basement of Etna volcano (Italy). We provide evidence for a large stratovolcano growing on a pre-existing basement landslide and show that the eastern Etna flank, which slides toward the sea irrespective of volcanic activity, moves coherently with the underlying landslide. The filling of the landslide depression by lava flows through time allows the formation of a stiffness barrier, which is responsible for the long-term migration of the magma pathways from the coast to the present-day Etna summit. These unexpected results provide a new interpretation clue on the causes of the volcanic instability processes and of the mechanisms of deflection and migration of volcanic conduits

The earliest open conduit eruptive center of the Etnean region: evidence from aeromagnetic, geophysical, and geological data

At Mount Etna, the present-day active volcano is an open conduit structure characterized by continuous eruptive activity. Such conditions have been thought unique in the evolution of the Etnean volcano as well as in the Mediterranean region. However, a review study of available geophysical data and models, combined with geological records, petrographic and geochemical considerations, has led us to consider that a large area of about 28 km2 located in Val Calanna, on the eastern side of Valle del Bove, can be interpreted as the site of an old open conduit volcano. A dyke swarm outcrops in the area, whose deep alteration and fumarolization can be attributed to the sustained passage of volcanic gases over long periods. Radiometric dating yields an age of about 129 ka. This finding sheds new light on the evolution of Mount Etna volcano, indicating that the tectonic conditions leading to an open conduit volcano must also have been active in the past.Published501V. Storia e struttura dei sistemi vulcaniciJCR Journalrestricte

Volcanic conduit migration over an active basement landslide at Mount Etna (Italy)

The flanks of volcanoes may slide in response to the loading of the edifice on a weak basement, magma push, and/or to tectonic stress. However, examples of stratovolcanoes emplaced on active landslides are lacking and the possible effects on the volcano dynamics unknown. Here, we use aeromagnetic data to construct a three-dimensional model of the clay-rich basement of Etna volcano (Italy). We provide evidence for a large stratovolcano growing on a pre-existing basement landslide and show that the eastern Etna flank, which slides toward the sea irrespective of volcanic activity, moves coherently with the underlying landslide. The filling of the landslide depression by lava flows through time allows the formation of a stiffness barrier, which is responsible for the long-term migration of the magma pathways from the coast to the present-day Etna summit. These unexpected results provide a new interpretation clue on the causes of the volcanic instability processes and of the mechanisms of deflection and migration of volcanic conduits.Published52931V. Storia e struttura dei sistemi vulcaniciJCR Journalrestricte

Bollettino storico di Salerno e Principato Citra. A.6, n.2 (1988)

A.6, n.2 (1988): G. D’Ajello, Il conflitto civile in Salerno fra due nobili famiglie e l’indulto inedito del re Roberto d’Angiò, P. 5 ; F. Sofia, Economia e società a Salerno nel Settecento: paesaggio, colture, contratti agrari, P. 17 ; L. Barionovi, L’abate Antonio Genovesi e il problema della proprietà ecclesiastica, P. 45 ; M.T. Schiavino, L’anno della fame. La carestia del 1763/64 nel libro di memorie di un possidente, Pietro del Giudice di Sessa Cilento, P. 67 ; F. Barra, Cronache del brigantaggio del decennio francese in Principato Citra, P. 75 ; G.A. Colangelo, Note per una storia delle comunità evangeliche delle province di Salerno, Potenza e Muterà tra il 1900 e il 1958, P. 83 ; D. Sinigalliesi, Le porte bronzee bizantine: analisi di un restauro, P. 93 ; A. La Greca, Il coro ligneo della Chiesa parrocchiale di S. Mauro Cilento, P. 101 ; M. G. Sessa, Il patrimonio storico-artistico di San Nicola di Bari di Petina, P. 105 ; R. Dentoni Litta, Ricerca d’archivio ed informatica, P. 109

Bollettino storico di Salerno e Principato Citra. A. 7, n. 1/2 (1989)

A.7, n.1/2 (1989): P. Cantalupo, Il sacello di Ercole a Giffoni Valle Piana, P. 5 ; M.A. Iannelli, Aspetti dell’assetto viario nella Salerno longobarda, P. 17 ; A. Maurano, La cripta del Crocifisso tra conservazione e restauro, P. 23 ; B. Marchese - V. Garzillo, Per la storia dei materiali utilizzati in età medievale: Caratterizzazione dei materiali leganti nella cattedrale di Salerno; Caratterizzazione di alcune tessere di mosaico, P. 31 ; G. D’Ajello, Il blasone dell’arcivescovo di Salerno Niccolò d’Ayello nelle illustrazioni di Pietro da Eboli, P. 51 ; M.A. Del Grosso, Strategie matrimoniali della nobiltà salernitana nel secolo XVI, P. 61 ; B. Olivieri, Per una storia del collegio medico: Doctores salernitani, offerte votive e «quaestiones» napoletane, P. 69 ; F. Sofia, Popolazione e territorio ad Eboli dagli inizi del Seicento all'unità, P. 91 ; G. Cirillo, Strutture emografiche e socio-professionali nel Principato Citra fra metà ’700 e decennio francese, P. 131 ; F. Barra, Cronache del brigantaggio del decennio francese in Principato Citra, P. 179 ; V. Cimmelli, Agricoltura ed economia rurale nell'agro Nocerino-Sarnese. 1860-1900, P. 189 ; G. Barra, L’archivio della parrocchia di S. Nicola di Mira in S. Andrea apostolo della terra di Auletta, P. 203

Geomorphological and geophysical investigations for the characterization of the Roman Carsulae site (Tiber basin, Central Italy)

This paper aims to bring to light the possible linkage between karstic phenomena and the human occupation of the Roman site of Carsulae (Tiber basin, Central Italy). Dolines are a typical morphological expression of karst rocks dissolution and collapse and, usually, they represent a potential hazard for human activities and, in particular, in the care and maintenance of cultural heritage sites. In this study, we observed that the development of a subsidence doline caused severe damage to some archaeological structures at Carsulae monumental site. According to the results obtained in our investigation, three sites at least with karst dissolution phenomena in the shallow calcareous tufa layer have been identified. One of them subsided probably in Roman times and produced a sharp deformation of the decumanus. In order to understand the evolution of this territory an integrated geomorphological and geophysical survey was carried out. The combination between the information derived from different geophysical techniques, such as: Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Frequency-Domain Electromagnetism (FDEM), Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) clearly pointed out that the calcareous tufa layer is characterized by an irregular geometry and resulted affected by karst dissolution in several parts of the investigated area. Four boreholes opportunely located, provided direct information about the depth and the alteration of the calcareous tufa basement and precious calibration data for the geophysical methods. This study contributes to improve our knowledge on the evolution of the Carsulae archaeological site providing a new insight into the adaptation of ancient human societies in this problematic territory