Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Geochemical monitoring of the 2002–2003 eruption at Stromboli volcano (Italy): precursory changes in the carbon and helium isotopic composition of fumarole gases and thermal waters

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Bulletin of Volcanology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

Significant changes in the helium and carbon isotopic composition of shallow thermal waters vs. gas and a crater fumarolic gas have been recorded at Stromboli prior and during the 2002–2003 eruption. The3He/4He ratios corrected for air contamination (Rc/Ra), and δ13C of fumarolic gases gradually increased from May to November 2002 before the eruption onset. These variations imply early degassing of a gas-rich magma at depth that likely fed both the intense Strombolian activity and small lava overflows recorded during that period. The lava effusion of late December 2002 was shortly preceded by a marked Rc/Ra decrease both in water and fumarolic gases. Comparison of He/CO2 and CH4/CO2 ratios in dissolved gas and with\({\rm \delta }^{13} {\rm C}_{{\rm CO}_2 }\) values rules out the Rc/Ra decrease due to an increasing input of radiogenic4He. The Rc/Ra decrease is attributed to the He isotope fractionation during rapid magma ascent and degassing. A new uprising of 3He-rich magma probably occurred in January to February 2003, when Rc/Ra ratios displayed the highest values in dissolved gases ever measured before (4.56 Rc/Ra). The increase in He/CO2 and CH4/CO2 ratios and decrease in δ13C of dissolved CO2 was recorded after the 5 April 2003 explosive paroxysm, likely caused by enhanced gas-water interaction inducing CO2 dissolution. No anomalous Rc/Ra values were recorded in the same period, when usual Strombolian activity gradually resumed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albarède F (1995) Introduction to geochemical modeling. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Allard P, Carbonnelle J, Métrich M, Loyer H, Zettwoog P (1994) Sulphur output and magma degassing budget of Stromboli volcano. Nature 368:326–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barberi F, Rosi M, Sodi A (1993) Volcanic hazard assessment at Stromboli based on review of historical data. Acta Vulcanol 3:173–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Benson B, Krause D Jr (1980) Isotope fractionation of helium during solution: a probe for the liquid state. J Solution Chem 9:895–909

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bertagnini A, Coltelli M, Landi P, Pompilio M, Rosi M (1999) Violent explosions yield new insight into dynamics of Stromboli volcano. EOS Trans AGU 80:633–636

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonaccorso A, Calvari S, Garfì G, Lodato L, Patanè D (2003) Dynamics of the December 2002 flank failure and tsunami at Stromboli volcano inferred by volcanological and geophysical observations. Geophys Res Lett 30(18):1941 doi: 10.10292003GLO17702

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capasso G, Favara R, Inguaggiato S (1997) Chemical features and isotopic composition of gaseous manifestations on Vulcano Island (Aeolian Islands, Italy): an interpretative model of fluid circulation. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 61:3425–3440

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capasso G, Inguaggiato S (1998) A simple method for the determination of dissolved gases in natural waters. An application to thermal waters from Vulcano Island. Appl Geochem 13:631–642

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caracausi A, Favara R, Giammanco S, Italiano F, Nuccio PM, Paonita A, Pecoraino G, Rizzo A (2003a) Mount Etna: Geochemical signals of magma ascent and unusually extensive plumbing system. Geophys Res Lett 30(2):1057 doi: 10.1029/2002GL015463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caracausi A, Italiano F, Nuccio PM, Paonita A, Rizzo A (2003b) Evidence of deep magma degassing and ascent by geochemistry of peripheral gas emissions at Mt. Etna (Italy): assessment of the magmatic reservoir pressure. J Geophys Res 108(B10):2463 doi: 10.1029/2002JB002095

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carapezza ML, Federico C (2000) The contribution of fluid geochemistry to the volcano monitoring of Stromboli. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 95:227–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carapezza ML, Inguaggiato S, Brusca L, Longo M (2004) Geochemical precursors of Stromboli 2002–2003 eruptive events. Geophys Res Lett 31(7):10.1029/2004GL019614

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carroll MR, Webster JD (1994) Solubilities of sulphur, noble gases, nitrogen, chlorine, and fluorine in magmas. In: Carroll MR, Holloway JR (eds) Volatiles in magmas. Min Soc Am Rev Mineral 30:231–281

    Google Scholar 

  • Chouet B, Saccorotti G, Dawson P, Martini M, Scarpa R, De Luca G, Milana G, Cattaneo M (1999) Broadband measurements of the sources of explosions at Stromboli volcano, Italy. Geophys Res Lett 26:1937–1940

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chouet B, Dawson P, Ohminato T, Martini M, Saccorotti G, Giudicepietro F, De Luca G, Milana G, Scarpa R (2003) Source mechanisms of explosions at Stromboli determined from moment tensor inversion of very-long-period data. J Geophys Res 108(B1):2109 doi: 10.1029/2002ID001919

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deines P, Langmuir D, Harmon RS (1974) Stable carbon isotope ratios and the existence of a gas phase in the evolution of carbonate groundwaters. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 38:1147–1164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Favara R, Grassa F, Inguaggiato S, Pecoraino G, Capasso G (2003) A simple method to determine the δ13C content of total dissolved inorganic carbon. Geofisica International 41(3):313–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Federico C, Aiuppa A, Allard P, Bellomo S, Jean-Baptiste P, Parello F, Valenza M (2002) Magma-derived gas influx and water-rock interactions in the volcanic aquifer of Mt. Vesuvius, Italy. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 66:963–981

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finizola A, Sortino F, Lénat JF, Valenza M (2002) Fluid circulation at Stromboli volcano (Aeolian Islands, Italy) from self-potential and CO2 surveys. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 116:1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finizola A, Sortino F, Lénat JF Aubert M, Ripepe M, Valenza M (2003) The summit hydrothermal system of Stromboli. New insights from self-potential, temperature, CO2 and fumarolic fluid measurements. Structural and monitoring implications. Bull Volcanol 65:486–504

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finizola A, Sortino F (2003) Preliminary model of fluid circulation at Stromboli volcano inferred by water and gas geochemistry. ICGG7-A-00108, 22-26 September 2003 Freiberg, Germany

  • Francalanci L, Rosi M, Tommasini S, Conticelli S, Germiniani E, Petrone C (2003) Caratteristiche mineralogiche, geochimiche ed isotopiche dei prodotti emessi durante l’attuale crisi eruttiva di Stromboli: implicazioni sui meccanismi pre-eruttivi del sistema vulcanico. GNV 2003 Assembly, Rome, abstract

  • Giberti G, Jaupart C, Sartoris G (1992) Steady-state operation of Stromboli volcano, Italy: constrains on the feeding system. Bull Volcanol 54:535–541

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giggenbach WF (1991) Chemical techniques in geothermal exploration. In “Application of geochemistry in geothermal reservoir development” (F. D’Amore co-ordinator). UNITAR/ UNDP, Rome, Italy, pp 119–144

  • Giggenbach WF (1996) Chemical composition of volcanic gases. In: Scarpa R, Tilling RI (eds) Monitoring and mitigation of volcanic hazards. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 221–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Giggenbach WF (1997) Relative importance of thermodynamic and kinetic processes in governing the chemical and isotopic composition of carbon gases in high-heatflow sedimentary basins. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 61:3763–3785

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris AJL, Stevenson DS (1997) Magma budgets and steady-state activity of Vulcano and Stromboli. Geophys Res Lett 24:1043–1046

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inguaggiato S, Pecoraino G, D’Amore F (2000) Chemical and isotopical characterization of fluid manifestations of Ischia Island (Italy). J Volcanol Geotherm Res 99:151–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inguaggiato S, Rizzo A (2004) Dissolved helium isotope ratios in ground-waters: a new technique based on gas-water re-equilibration and its application to a volcanic area. Appl Geochem 19:665–673

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Javoy M, Pineau F, Liyama I (1978) Experimental determination of the isotopic fractionation between gaseous CO2 and carbon dissolved in tholeiitic magma. Contrib Mineral Petrol 67:35–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landi P, Métrich MN, Bertagnini A, Rosi M. (2004) Dynamics of magma mixing and degassing recorded in plagioclase at Stromboli (Aeolian Archipelago, Italy). Contrib Mineral Petrol 147:213–227 DOI 10.1007/s00410-004-0555-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Métrich N, Bertagnini A, Landi P, Rosi M (2001) Crystallization driven by decompression and water loss at Stromboli volcano (Aeolian Islands, Italy). J Petrol 42:1471–1490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mook WG, Bommerson JC, Staverman WH (1974) Carbon isotope fractionation between dissolved bicarbonate and gaseous carbon dioxide. Earth Planet Sci Lett 22/2:169–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nuccio PM, Valenza M (1998) Magma degassing and geochemical detection of its ascent. Proc WRI-7 Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 475–478

    Google Scholar 

  • Nuccio PM, Paonita A (2001) Magmatic degassing of multicomponent vapors and assessing of magma depth: Application to Vulcano Island (Italy). Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 93:467–481

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ozima M, Podosek FA (1983) Noble gas geochemistry. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 344 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosi M, Bertagnini A, Landi P (2000) Onset of the persistent activity at Stromboli volcano (Italy). Bull Vulcanol 62:294–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sano Y, Wakita H (1985) Geographical distribution of3He/4He in Japan: implications for arc tectonics and incipient magmatism. J Geophys Res 90:8729–8741

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stumm W, Morgan JJ (1996) Aquatic chemistry: chemical equilibria and rates in natural waters. Wiley-Interscience publication, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Trull T, Pineau F, Bottinga Y, Javoy M (1991) Experimental study of CO2 bubble growth and13C/12C isotopic fractionation in tholeiitic melt. 4th Silicate Melt workshop: Program/abstracts, 19–23 March, 1991 Abbrev Journal 7

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelm E, Battino R, Wilckock RJ (1977) Low pressure solubility of gases in liquid water. Chem Rev 77:219–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, Quay PD, Wilbur DO (1995) Carbon isotope fractionation during gas-water exchange and dissolution of CO2. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 59:107–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work is part of the GNV “Stromboli volcanic hazard” project and of the volcano monitoring activity of INGV-Palermo. The authors wish to thank all of their colleagues of the INGV-Section of Palermo for the help provided in collecting samples during the 2002–2003 eruption. The authors also wish to thank Dr. H. Shinohara, Dr. G. Chiodini, and Dr. T. Fischer for their critical and constructive comments which improved the manuscript. We are grateful to Mrs. P. Dyer for the revision of the English. Italian Civil Protection is thanked for helicopter transportation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via U. La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy

    G. Capasso, C. Federico, S. Inguaggiato & A. Rizzo

  2. Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Roma, Via V. Murata 605, 00144, Roma, Italy

    M. L. Carapezza

Authors
  1. G. Capasso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. L. Carapezza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C. Federico
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Inguaggiato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Rizzo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Federico.

Additional information

Editorial responsibility: H Shinohara

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Capasso, G., Carapezza, M.L., Federico, C. et al. Geochemical monitoring of the 2002–2003 eruption at Stromboli volcano (Italy): precursory changes in the carbon and helium isotopic composition of fumarole gases and thermal waters. Bull Volcanol 68, 118–134 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-005-0427-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-005-0427-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation