Variations in surface manifestations at vulcano (Aeolian Islands, Italy) as a possible evidence of deep processes

Abstract

Five years of geochemical surveillance at Vulcano have shown interesting changes in the physico-chemical characters of the fumaroles at the crater and of the phreatic waters in the surrounding area.

In particular, 1) The maximum temperature of the fumaroles, which had been of about 200°C for at least 30 years, rose suddenly to above 300°C: after a period of rather constant values, a decreasing trend has recently been observed; 2) An increase of CO₂, S compounds and HF with respect to HCl, B, Br occurred in the gas composition contemporaneous to the rise in temperature. This increase is now gradually declining; 3) Higher concentrations of sulphate ion and silica in phreatic waters accompanied the thermal changes observed at the fumaroles.

According to a model previously proposed (Martini et al., 1980), the increase in the above mentioned factors would reflect an increasing magmatic contribution to the volcanic system, which might be due to an increased permeability to fluids at depth.

Because a sensible seismic shock occurred in the area a few months after the first chemical and thermal variations had been observed, such variations may be regarded as forerunners of the seismic event, and may be used to forecast some months in advance changes occurring at depth.