A gravity study of the Island of vulcano,tyrrhenian sea,Italy

A detailed gravity survey was carried out on the island of Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy. Gravity was measured on 107 stations and the Bouguer anomalies were computed by assuming geological densities. Aim of this survey was to complete the island structural pattern relatively to the shallower structures. Separation of the gravity anomaly field was carried out by means of data filtering, and two main components were discerned. The λ>2.2 km wavelength component, filtered out of the longer wavelength components, was interpreted quantitatively along a NW profile. The best fitting model consists of an upper layer of recent pyroclastic products (p=2.1 g/cm³) lying upon a highly compacted pyroclastic series or lavas (p=2.4 g/cm³). The shorter wavelength residual gravity field (λ<2.2 km) is characterized by two anomalies, located on Vulcanello and the «Fossa di Vulcano» crater. Vulcanello anomaly could be interpreted, given the geothermal state of the area, as due to an increase of the rock density consequent to propylization processes by high temperature fluids (T>200°C). «Fossa di Vulcano» anomaly is instead attributable to the local volcanic chimney. A schematic comprehensive model of Vulcano is also presented, which accounts for the available main geological and geophysical data.