Major effusive eruptions and recent lava fountains : Balance between expected and erupted magma volumes at Etna volcano

Over the last four decades Etna has shown a high output rate through numerous eruptions. The volcano has displayed two eruptive behaviors. The first is characterized by effusive eruptions that efficiently drained the storage system and emitted large volumes of magma, the second behavior is related to lava fountains, erupting small magma batches, which are normally with high frequency and have been considered as precursors of major effusive eruptions. In this paper, we present an updated estimation of emitted volumes from Etna eruptions, which include the 38 lava fountain episodes that occurred from January 2011 to April 2013. These recent explosive episodes have been frequent, discharging significant magma volumes. Observing the steady trend of magma output over time, we present insights on expected erupted volumes. We highlight that the January 2011 –April 2013 lava fountains, efficiently drained the intermediate-shallow storage system and favored a balance between the incoming and outgoing magma

The Miocene Costa Giardini diatreme, Iblean Mountains, southern Italy: Model for maar-diatreme formation on a submerged carbonate platform

In this paper we present a model for the growth of a maar-diatreme complex in a shallow marine environment. The Miocene-age Costa Giardini diatreme near Sortino, in the region of the Iblei Mountains of southern Sicily, has an outer tuff ring formed by the accumulation of debris flows and surge deposits during hydromagmatic eruptions. Vesicular lava clasts, accretionary lapilli and bombs in the older ejecta indicate that initial eruptions were of gas-rich magma. Abundant xenoliths in the upper, late-deposited beds of the ring suggest rapid magma ascent, and deepening of the eruptive vent is shown by the change in slope of the country rock. The interior of the diatreme contains nonbedded breccia composed of both volcanic and country rock clasts of variable size and amount. The occurrence of bedded hyaloclastite breccia in an isolated outcrop in the middle-lower part of the diatreme suggests subaqueous effusion at a low rate following the end of explosive activity. Intrusions of nonvesicular magma, forming plugs and dikes, occur on the western side of the diatreme, and at the margins, close to the contact between breccia deposits and country rock; they indicate involvement of volatile-poor magma, possibly during late stages of activity. We propose that initial hydromagmatic explosive activity occurred in a shallow marine environment and the ejecta created a rampart that isolated for a short time the inner crater from the surrounding marine environment. This allowed explosive activity to draw down the water table in the vicinity of the vent and caused deepening of the explosive center. A subsequent decrease in the effusion rate and cessation of explosive eruptions allowed the crater to refill with water, at which time the hyaloclastite was deposited. Emplacement of dikes and plugs occurred nonexplosively while the breccia sediment was mostly still soft and unconsolidated, locally forming peperites. The sheltered, low-energy lagoon filled with marine limestones mixed with volcaniclastic material eroded from the surrounding ramparts. Ultimately, lagoonal sediments accumulated in the crater until subsidence or erosion of the tuff ring caused a return to normal shallow marine conditions

The Miocene Costa Giardini diatreme, Iblean Mountains, southern Italy: Model for maar-diatreme formation on a submerged carbonate platform

In this paper we present a model for the growth of a maar-diatreme complex in a shallow marine environment. The Miocene-age Costa Giardini diatreme near Sortino, in the region of the Iblei Mountains of southern Sicily, has an outer tuff ring formed by the accumulation of debris flows and surge deposits during hydromagmatic eruptions. Vesicular lava clasts, accretionary lapilli and bombs in the older ejecta indicate that initial eruptions were of gas-rich magma. Abundant xenoliths in the upper, late-deposited beds of the ring suggest rapid magma ascent, and deepening of the eruptive vent is shown by the change in slope of the country rock. The interior of the diatreme contains nonbedded breccia composed of both volcanic and country rock clasts of variable size and amount. The occurrence of bedded hyaloclastite breccia in an isolated outcrop in the middle-lower part of the diatreme suggests subaqueous effusion at a low rate following the end of explosive activity. Intrusions of nonvesicular magma, forming plugs and dikes, occur on the western side of the diatreme, and at the margins, close to the contact between breccia deposits and country rock; they indicate involvement of volatile-poor magma, possibly during late stages of activity. We propose that initial hydromagmatic explosive activity occurred in a shallow marine environment and the ejecta created a rampart that isolated for a short time the inner crater from the surrounding marine environment. This allowed explosive activity to draw down the water table in the vicinity of the vent and caused deepening of the explosive center. A subsequent decrease in the effusion rate and cessation of explosive eruptions allowed the crater to refill with water, at which time the hyaloclastite was deposited. Emplacement of dikes and plugs occurred nonexplosively while the breccia sediment was mostly still soft and unconsolidated, locally forming peperites. The sheltered, low-energy lagoon filled with marine limestones mixed with volcaniclastic material eroded from the surrounding ramparts. Ultimately, lagoonal sediments accumulated in the crater until subsidence or erosion of the tuff ring caused a return to normal shallow marine conditions

Lava effusion — A slow fuse for paroxysms at Stromboli volcano?

International audienceThe 2007 effusive eruption of Stromboli followed a similar pattern to the previous 2002–2003 episode. In both cases, magma ascent led to breaching of the uppermost part of the conduit forming an eruptive fissure that discharged lava down the Sciara del Fuoco depression. Both eruptions also displayed a ‘paroxysmal' explosive event during lava flow output. From daily effusion rate measurements retrieved from helicopter- and satellite-based infrared imaging, we deduce that the cumulative volume of lava erupted before each of the two paroxysms was similar. Based on this finding, we propose a conceptual model to explain why both paroxysms occurred after this ‘threshold' cumulative volume of magma was erupted. The gradual decompression of the deep plumbing system induced by magma withdrawal and eruption, drew deeper volatile-rich magma into the conduit, leading to the paroxysms. The proposed model might provide a basis for forecasting paroxysmal explosions during future effusive eruptions of Stromboli

The Catania 1669 lava eruptive crisis: simulation of a new possible eruption

SCIARA (Smart Cellular Interactive Automata for modeling the Rheology of Aetnean lava flows, to be read as “shea’rah”), our first two-dimensional Cellular Automata model for the simulation of lava flows, was tested and validated with success on several lava events like the 1986/87 Etnean eruption and the last phase of the 1991/93 Etnean one. Real and simulated events are satisfying within limits to forecast the surface covered by the lava flow. Moreover, improved versions have been adopted in testing other real lava flows of Mount Etna and of Reunion Island (Indian Ocean). The model has been applied with success in the determination of risk zones in the inhabited areas of Nicolosi, Pedara, S. Alfio and Zafferana (Sicily). The main goal of the present work has been the verification of the effects, in volcanic risk terms, in the Etnean area from Nicolosi to Catania, of a eruptive crisis similar to the event that occurred in 1669, as if the episode would happen nowadays. Catania has been severely interested in some major Etnean events in history, the most famous one being, namely, the 1669 eruption, involving 1 km3 of lava during 130 days. The simulation of lava tubes and the usage of different histories within the experiments have been crucial in the determination of a new risk area for Catania. In fact, simulations carried out without the introduction of lava tubes, never involved the city, proving the fact that lava tubes, played a fundamental role in the 1669 Catania lava crisis

Variable magnitude and intensity of strombolian explosions: Focus on the eruptive processes for a first classification scheme for Stromboli volcano (Italy)

Strombolian activity varies in magnitude and intensity and may evolve into a threat for the local populations living on volcanoes with persistent or semi-persistent activity. A key example comes from the activity of Stromboli volcano (Italy). The “ordinary” Strombolian activity, consisting in intermittent ejection of bombs and lapilli around the eruptive vents, is sometimes interrupted by high-energy explosive events (locally called major or paroxysmal explosions), which can affect very large areas. Recently, the 3 July 2019 explosive paroxysm at Stromboli volcano caused serious concerns in the local population and media, having killed one tourist while hiking on the volcano. Major explosions, albeit not endangering inhabited areas, often produce a fallout of bombs and lapilli in zones frequented by tourists. Despite this, the classification of Strombolian explosions on the basis of their intensity derives from measurements that are not always replicable (i.e., field surveys). Hence the need for a fast, objective and quantitative classification of explosive activity. Here, we use images of the monitoring camera network, seismicity and ground deformation data, to characterize and distinguish paroxysms, impacting the whole island, from major explosions, that affect the summit of the volcano above 500 m elevation, and from the persistent, mild explosive activity that normally has no impact on the local population. This analysis comprises 12 explosive events occurring at Stromboli after 25 June 2019 and is updated to 6 December 2020

Lava effusion – a slow fuse for paroxysms at Stromboli volcano?

The 2007 effusive eruption of Stromboli followed a similar pattern to the previous 2002-3 episode. In both cases, magma ascent led to breaching of the uppermost part of the conduit forming an eruptive fissure that discharged lava down the Sciara del Fuoco depression. Both eruptions also displayed a ‟paroxysmal„ explosive event during lava flow output. From daily effusion rate measurements retrieved from helicopter- and satellite-based infrared imaging, we deduce that the cumulative volume of lava erupted before each of the two paroxysms was similar. Based on this finding, we propose a conceptual model to explain why both paroxysms occurred after this „threshold‟ cumulative volume of magma was erupted. The gradual decompression of the deep plumbing system induced by magma withdrawal and eruption, drew deeper volatile-rich magma into the conduit, leading to the paroxysms. The proposed model might provide a basis for forecasting paroxysmal explosions during future effusive eruptions of Stromboli

Volcanic and seismic activity at Stromboli preceding the 2002-03 eruption

Regular surveys with a PM695 FLIR thermal imaging camera from both the ground and from helicopter were conducted on Stromboli from October 2001. These measurements allow us to (i) examine changes in morphology of the summit craters produced by paroxystic explosions and (ii) track the increasing level of magma within the conduits of Stromboli that preceded and led to the 2002/03 effusive eruption. Two geophysical surveys in May and September/October 2002 demonstrated a clear increasing trend in the amplitude of VLP events, consistent with the presence of a higher magma column above the VLP source region. The observed increase in magma level was probably induced by an increase in the pressure of the magma feeding system at Stromboli, controlled by regional tectonic stress. The increased magma level induced strain on the uppermost part of the crater terrace, allowing an increase in soil permeability and therefore CO2 and Radon degassing. Eventually this stress caused the northeast flank of the craters to fracture, allowing lava to flood out at high effusion rates on 28th December. Regular surveys with the thermal imaging camera, combined with geophysical monitoring, are an invaluable addition to the armory of volcanologists attempting to follow the evolution of activity on active volcanoes

The 2007 Stromboli eruption: Event chronology and effusion rates using thermal infrared data

Using thermal infrared images recorded by a permanent thermal camera network maintained on Stromboli volcano (Italy), together with satellite and helicopter‐based thermal image surveys, we have compiled a chronology of the events and processes occurring before and during Stromboli’s 2007 effusive eruption. These digital data also allow us to calculate the effusion rates and lava volumes erupted during the effusive episode. At the onset of the 2007 eruption, two parallel eruptive fissures developed within the northeast crater, eventually breaching the NE flank of the summit cone and extending along the easternmargin of the Sciara del Fuoco. These fed amain effusive vent at 400m above sea level to feed lava flows that extended to the sea. The effusive eruption was punctuated,on 15 March, by a paroxysm with features similar to those of the 5 April paroxysm that occurred during the 2002–2003 effusive eruption. A total of between 3.2 × 106 and 11 × 106 m3 of lava was erupted during the 2007 eruption, over 34 days of effusive activity. More than half of this volume was emplaced during the first 5.5 days of the eruption. Although the 2007 effusive eruption had an erupted volume comparable to that of the previous (2002–2003) effusive eruption, it had a shorter duration and thus a mean output rate (=total volume divided by eruption duration) that was 1 order of magnitude higher than that of the 2002– 2003 event (∼2.4 versus 0.32 ± 0.28 m3 s−1). In this paper, we discuss similarities and differences between these two effusive events and interpret the processes occurring in 2007 in terms of the recent dynamics witnessed at Stromboli

The 2007 Stromboli eruption: event chronology and effusion rates using thermal infrared data

Using thermal infrared images recorded by a permanent thermal camera network maintained on Stromboli volcano (Italy), together with satellite and helicopter-based thermal image surveys, we have compiled a chronology of the events and processes occurring before and during Stromboli’s 2007 effusive eruption. These digital data also allow us to calculate the effusion rates and lava volumes erupted during the effusive episode. At the onset of the 2007 eruption, two parallel eruptive fissures developed within the North East crater, eventually breaching the NE flank of the summit cone and extending along the eastern margin of the Sciara del Fuoco. These fed a main effusive vent at 400 m a.s.l. to feed lava flows that extended to the sea. The effusive eruption was punctuated, on 15 March, by a paroxysm with features similar to the 5 April paroxysm that occurred during the 2002-03 effusive eruption. A total of between 3.2 x 106 m3 and 11 x 106 m3 of lava was erupted during the 2007 eruption over 34 days of effusive activity. More than half of this volume was emplaced during the first 5.5 days of the eruption. Although the 2007 effusive eruption had a comparable erupted volume to the previous (2002-03) effusive eruption, it had a shorter duration and thus a mean output rate (= total volume divided by eruption duration) that was one order of magnitude greater than the 2002-03 event (~2.4 m3 s-1 compared with 0.32±0.28 m3 s-1). In this paper, we discuss similarities and differences between these two effusive events, and interpret the processes occurring in 2007 in terms of the recent dynamics witnessed at Stromboli