Premium
Evidence of a recent input of magmatic gases into the quiescent volcanic edifice of Panarea, Aeolian Islands, Italy
Author(s) -
Caliro S.,
Caracausi A.,
Chiodini G.,
Ditta M.,
Italiano F.,
Longo M.,
Minopoli C.,
Nuccio P. M.,
Paonita A.,
Rizzo A.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2003gl019359
Subject(s) - volcano , geology , geothermal gradient , impact crater , aeolian processes , geochemistry , seismology , geomorphology , geophysics , astrobiology , physics
On 2nd/3rd November 2002, a huge amount of gas, mainly composed of CO 2 , was suddenly released from the sea bottom off the coast of Panarea, producing a “crater” 20 by 10 meters wide and 7 meters deep. The gas output was estimated to be 10 9 l/d, two orders of magnitude higher than that measured in the 1980s. The anomalous degassing rate lasted for some weeks, slowly decreasing to an almost constant rate of about 4 × 10 7 l/d after two months. The geo‐thermo‐barometric estimations revealed an increase of both the temperature and pressure in the geothermal system feeding the sampled vents. The 3 He/ 4 He ratios were similar to those measured in nearby Stromboli. We have monitored the area for the last two decades, and based on our intensive and extensive geochemical measurements, have ascertained that the geothermal reservoir has lost its steady state. We maintain that a new magmatic input caused these phenomena.