Evidence for gas influence on volcanic seismic signals recorded at Stromboli

The meaning of the large variety of seismic waveforms showing different frequencies associated with volcanic activity is still uncertain. No definitive model for source dynamics has been proposed yet. At present, seismic models explaining the origin of the spectral content of the seismic signal are mainly linked to geometrical features of the volcanic conduit and to resonant effects induced by pressure fluctuations in a fluid-filled conduit. Such models assume the physical system to be in a steady state over a long interval of time. At Stromboli, the seismicity produced by each of the three active vents is not stable and can suddenly change in time. Therefore, the application of stable resonator models appears to be unwarranted.On the basis of infrared image analyses, atmospheric pressure, and seismic wavefield signals, we show that different frequency contents and different explosive styles occur at Stromboli at the same time at different vents. Moreover, we give evidence to support the idea that seismicity and explosivity are both controlled by a variable gas flow regime released during explosions at the top of the magma column. We have recognized two main pressure regimes, controlling the explositivity at Stromboli: one is impulsive, short and possibly produced by a gas accumulation beneath a cap rock; the other has an intermittent regime feature, and lasts longer. We demonstrate how the first one generates a monochromatic low-frequency wavefield, while the second shows a high-frequency spectrum where the frequency content depends on pressure fluctuations and on pressure gradient. We suggest different pressure growth and gas flow in the magma as the common source for both explosive style and seismic wavefield.     

Crystal chemical variations in Ba-rich biotites from gabbroic rocks of lower crust (Ivrea Zone,NW Italy)

Biotites from mafic rocks occurring at different stratigraphic levels of the Ivrea-Verbano Mafic Complex are studied. The rocks are gabbros and diorites. All the biotites are intermediate between phlogopite and annite [0.282 (up to 7.14 and 9.32 wt%, respectively) with respect to those of the diorites (up to 1.26 and 6.26 wt%, respectively). Systematic compositional variations support the substitution model 2 ^IV Si+( ^IV R²⁺)2 ^IV Al+ ^VI Ti (R²⁺=Fe+Mg+Mn) in gabbros and ^IV Si+ ^VI Al ^IV Al+ ^VI Ti in diorites. A predominance of disordered stacking sequences, coexisting with 1M, 2M ₁ and 3T polytypes was observed in all biotites. It was possible to carry out structural refinements only on three biotites-2M ₁ from diorites (R-values between 2.68 and 3.77) and one biotite-1M from gabbros (R-value=3.09). It was shown that: (1) the reduced thickness of the tetrahedral sheet in Ba-rich biotites supports the coupled substitution ^IV Si+ ^XII K ^IV Al+ ^XII Ba; (2) the interlayer site geometry is affected by the whole layer chemistry and does not reflect only local chemical variations; (3) in two samples of the 2M ₁ polytype, the M(1) octahedral site is larger and more distorted than the M(2) sites because of the preferential ordering of Fe²⁺ in the M(1) site, whereas one sample shows complete cation disorder in the octahedral sites. Biotite-1M shows that Fe²⁺ can also be located in the M(2) site. Some of the differences between the biotites of gabbros and diorites (e.g. Ba concentration and exchange vectors) may be linked to the host rock composition and to its crystallization process. Biotite occurs in trace amounts in gabbros and its crystallization is related to the interstitial melt which contributed to the adcumulus growth of the main rock forming phases and became highly enriched in K, Ba and Ti. Diorites are the result of equilibrium crystallization of a residual melt rich in incompatible elements, where biotite is a major constituent.     

Micro-Analytical Zircon and Monazite U-Pb Isotope Dating by Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

In this study we evaluated the capability of a 213 nm laser ablation system coupled to a quadrupole-based ICP-MS in delivering accurate and precise U-Pb ages on zircons and monazites. Four zircon samples ( ca. 50 Ma to ca. 600 Ma) and four monazite samples ( ca. 30 Ma to ca. 1390 Ma) of known ages were analysed utilising laser ablation pits with diameters of 20 μm and 60 μm. Instrument mass bias and laser induced time-dependent elemental fractionation were corrected for by calibration against a matrix-matched reference material. Tera-Wasserburg plots of the calculated U-Pb data were employed to assess, and correct for, common Pb contributions. The results indicated that the LA-ICP-MS technique employed in this study allowed precise and accurate U-Pb isotope dating of zircon and monazite on sample areas 20 μm in diameter. At this spot size, the precisions achieved for single spot ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages, were better than 5% (2s) for monazites and zircons with ages down to 30 Ma and 50 Ma, respectively. The precisions reported are comparable to those generally reported in SIMS and LA-MC-ICP-MS U-Pb isotope determinations.     

Seismic risk assessment for developing countries: Pakistan as a case study

Modern Earthquake Risk Assessment (ERA) methods usually require seismo-tectonic information for Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA) that may not be readily available in developing countries. To bypass this drawback, this paper presents a practical event-based PSHA method that uses instrumental seismicity, available historical seismicity, as well as limited information on geology and tectonic setting. Historical seismicity is integrated with instrumental seismicity to determine the long-term hazard. The tectonic setting is included by assigning seismic source zones associated with known major faults. Monte Carlo simulations are used to generate earthquake catalogues with randomized key hazard parameters. A case study region in Pakistan is selected to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. The results indicate that the proposed method produces seismic hazard maps consistent with previous studies, thus being suitable for generating such maps in regions where limited data are available. The PSHA procedure is developed as an integral part of an ERA framework named EQRAM. The framework is also used to determine seismic risk in terms of annual losses for the study region.     

The use of the slope–area function to analyse process domains in complex badland landscapes

This paper explores the effectiveness of the widely-used functional relationship between drainage area (A in m²) and slope (S in m/m) to identify local process domains and aid interpretation of process interactions in a complex badland landscape. In order to perform this investigation, a series of sub-basins tributary to the Formone River in the Orcia catchment (central Italy) were selected as a suitable study area within which to explore our questions, given these basins' general representativeness of local terrain, the availability of a high resolution digital terrain model and previous extensive geomorphological research. Eroding basins containing both calanchi and landslides are common in the sub-humid badland landscape of central Italy, where field observation identifies a complex pattern of erosive processes associated with a history of uplift, despite which parts of the local landscape appear disconnected. Results reveal that the shape of all S–A curves (plotted using S data binned on log A) is comparable with that described in the literature, although sub-basins containing calanchi generally plot with higher S values than non-calanchi ones, except in the ‘fluvial’ section of the plots. Second, when viewed on total data (non-binned) S–A plots, landslide source area domains and calanchi domains are entirely coincident in all basins, supporting a cause–effect relationship. Additional plotting of the frequency characteristics of the raw data in a new way supports the interpretation that calanchi frequently initiate in landslide scars. In general though, although the S–A plots can contribute to the disentanglement of geomorphological behaviour in some complex erosional landscapes, it became apparent that in this landscape, process domains do not separate out with clarity along the A axis as suggested by theory. Despite this, an alternative, broader-scale morphoevolutive model can be proposed for the development of within-landslide calanchi, driven by changes to basin connectivity to the base channel. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A methodology for defining seismic scenario‐structure‐based limit state criteria for rc high‐rise wall buildings using net drift

As a result of population growth and consequent urbanization, the number of high‐rise buildings is rapidly growing worldwide resulting in increased exposure to multiple‐scenario earthquakes and associated risk. The wide range in frequency contents of possible strong ground motions can have an impact on the seismic response, vulnerability and limit states definitions of RC high‐rise wall structures. Motivated by the pressing need to derive more accurate fragility relations to be used in seismic risk assessment and mitigation of such structures, a methodology is proposed to obtain reliable, Seismic Scenario‐Structure‐Based (SSSB) definitions of limit state criteria. A 30‐story wall building, located in a multi‐seismic scenario study region, is utilized to illustrate the methodology. The building is designed following modern codes and then modeled using nonlinear fiber‐based approach. Uncertainty in ground motions is accounted for by the selection of forty real earthquake records representing two seismic scenarios. Seismic scenario‐based building local response at increasing earthquake intensities is mapped using Multi‐Record Incremental Dynamic Analyses (MRIDAs) with a new scalar intensity measure. Net Inter‐Story Drift (NISD) is selected as a global damage measure based on a parametric study involving seven buildings ranging from 20 to 50 stories. This damage measure is used to link local damage events, including shear, to global response under different seismic scenarios. While the study concludes by proposing SSSB limit state criteria for the sample building, the proposed methodology arrives at a reliable definition of limit state criteria for an inventory of RC high‐rise wall buildings under multiple earthquake scenarios. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Planktonic foraminiferal distribution record productivity cycles: evidence from the Aptian-Albian Piobbico core (central Italy)

The Aptian-Albian 'Scisti a Fucoidi' varicoloured pelagic sediments in central Italy, show a 'couplet' alternation of carbonate-rich/carbonate-poor layers, which are interpreted as the sedimentary expression of precession (frequency 19–23 kyr). Carbonate content, chromatic variation, and planktonic foraminiferal abundance were analysed at a 1-cm spacing for a 10-m interval of the Piobbico core, specifically drilled through this formation. Spectral analysis of these parameters shows a prominent signal equated to the c . 100 kyr cycle of orbital eccentricity at a sedimentation rate of 5 mm kyr⁻¹. The coherency of the spectral response of each parameter suggests that a single mechanism controlled the whole sedimentary record. Detailed study of planktonic foraminiferal distribution of the same section at 1-mm scale resolves the Milankovitch frequencies of 41 kyr and 18 to 23 kyr, equated with the obliquity and precessional cycles. But foraminiferal abundance is not in phase with carbonate content, which was largely controlled by calcareous nannofossils, but peaked at intermediate carbonate values. The proposed model for explaining the discrepancy at the precessional level is that foraminifera thrived at intermediate values of the precession index, when the environment was only moderately fertile but stable, while during highs of the precession index, mixing of the water column increased fertility and caused calcareous nannofossil blooms and restriction of planktonic foraminifera to few and tolerant species. The resulting bimodality of foraminiferal abundance per precessional cycle appears to be recorded in the spectrum by peaks at the 11 and 14 kyr levels. Cross correlation of foraminiferal abundances with the calcium carbonate curve over 1–2 Myr intervals produces discrepant results (apparent phase lags) which we attribute to differences in the response to the fundamental eccentricity cycles.     

Shallow structure of the Somma–Vesuvius volcano from 3D inversion of gravity data

A gravity investigation was carried out in the Somma–Vesuvius complex area (Campania, Italy) based on a dataset recently enlarged with new measurements. These cover the volcanic top and fill some other important spatial gaps in previous surveys. Besides the new gravity map of the Vesuvius, we also present the results of a 3D inverse modelling, carried out by using constraints from deep well exploration and seismic reflection surveys. The resulting density model provides a complete reconstruction of the top of the carbonate basement. This is relevant mostly on the western side of the survey area, where no significant information was previously available. Other new information regards the Somma–Vesuvius structure. It consists of an annular volume of rocks around the volcanic vent and that extends down to the carbonate basement. It results to be denser with respect to the surrounding sedimentary cover of the Campanian Plain and to the material located just along the central axis of the volcanic structure. The coherence between these features and other geophysical evidences from previous studies, will be discussed together with the other results of this research.     

An experimental facility for investigating hydromagmatic eruptions at high-pressure and high-temperature with application to the importance of magma porosity for magma-water interaction

An experimental facility has been developed to investigate magma-water interaction (MWI). The facility operates in a high-pressure and high-temperature environment, with temperatures up to 1,200°C and pressures up to 200 MPa. Cylindrical sample-holders (20 by 180 mm in size) are heated conductively to yield a three phase (melt, crystals and gas) system, and then water (or other fluid) is injected into the sample through a capillary tube (diameter 0.5 mm, length ca. 1,000 mm) under controlled conditions. Pressure, volume and temperature changes are continuously recorded during every phase of the experiments. To test this facility, MWI is studied at subliquidus temperatures (800 and 900°C) and pressure (8 MPa), using a leucite tephrite sample with two different initial grain sizes. Because of the grain-size dependence of sintering, the two starting materials produce magmas with different textures at the same temperature: porous magma for large initial grain sizes and dense magma for small initial grain sizes. In these experiments 1.5 g of water at room temperature is injected into 6.0 g of partially molten sample at velocities ranging from 1 to 3 m/s. We find that the extent of fragmentation and transport caused by MWI are mainly controlled by the texture of the interacting sample with explosive interaction occurring only for porous magmas.