[1] Melt inclusions in phenocrysts of the Minopoli2 shoshonite and Fondo Riccio latite eruptive products (Campi Flegrei caldera; 10.2 to 9.5 ka BP) constrain the nature of deep Phlegraean magmatic fluids, their role in volcanism and give new insights into the magmatic plumbing system. The analyzed melt inclusions show that CO 2 is an abundant gaseous species, confirming the results of geochemical studies on the magmatic gas fraction involved in present-day fumarolic emissions. Volatile concentrations within the melt inclusions require gas-melt equilibria between 8 and 9 km depth, and closed-system degassing in presence of ascending CO 2 -rich fluids of deep provenance. Magmas later re-equilibrate at depths up to 3-2 km, i.e. above the top of the carbonate basement. These observations correlate well with independent geophysical and geochemical evidence and are useful constraints for volcanic hazards assessment at Campi Flegrei. Citation: Mangiacapra, A., R. Moretti, M. Rutherford, L. Civetta, G. Orsi, and P. Papale (2008), The deep magmatic system of the Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy), Geophys.
The Solfatara volcano is the main degassing area of the Campi Flegrei caldera, characterized by 60 years of unrest. Assessing such renewal activity is a challenging task because hydrothermal interactions with magmatic gases remain poorly understood. In this study, we decipher the complex structure of the shallow Solfatara hydrothermal system by performing the first 3‐D, high‐resolution, electrical resistivity tomography of the volcano. The 3‐D resistivity model was obtained from the inversion of 43,432 resistance measurements performed on an area of ~0.68 km2. The proposed interpretation of the multiphase hydrothermal structures is based on the resistivity model, a high‐resolution infrared surface temperature image, and 1,136 soil CO2 flux measurements. In addition, we realized 27 soil cation exchange capacity and pH measurements demonstrating a negligible contribution of surface conductivity to the shallow bulk electrical conductivity. Hence, we show that the resistivity changes are mainly controlled by fluid content and temperature. The high‐resolution tomograms identify for the first time the structure of the gas‐dominated reservoir at 60 m depth that feeds the Bocca Grande fumarole through a ~10 m thick channel. In addition, the resistivity model reveals a channel‐like conductive structure where the liquid produced by steam condensation around the main fumaroles flows down to the Fangaia area within a buried fault. The model delineates the emplacement of the main geological structures: Mount Olibano, Solfatara cryptodome, and tephra deposits. It also reveals the anatomy of the hydrothermal system, especially two liquid‐dominated plumes, the Fangaia mud pool and the Pisciarelli fumarole, respectively.
[1] The Campi Flegrei (CF) caldera is one of the most dangerous quiescent volcanic systems in the world. Its activity mostly resulted in low-magnitude explosive eruptions, such as that of the Monte Nuovo tuff cone that represents the last eruptive event within the caldera (A.D. 1538). However, there have been more energetic Plinian events, e.g., the Agnano Monte Spina eruption (4.1 ka), and very highly explosive, caldera-forming eruptions, e.g., the Campanian Ignimbrite eruption (39 ka). Here, we integrate new and literature data on the groundmass texture and composition of pyroclastic products from the three above eruptions with the aim of unraveling how volatiles content, degassing mechanisms, and crystallization processes influence magma explosivity and eruption dynamics at CF. Previous studies indicate that the investigated rocks share similar major element bulk and phenocryst chemistry; also similar is the water content of their trapped melt inclusions. These observations suggest that the magmas feeding these eruptions had comparable physicochemical properties during storage in the shallow crust. However, our investigations indicate that the studied rocks differ in texture and composition of the groundmass and viscosity of the related magmas. We ascribe such differences to the variable style of volatile exsolution and outgassing from the melt, primarily in response to changes of the rate of magma ascent to the surface. We conclude that the magma ascent rate was the key parameter in driving explosive eruptions at CF, and we G 3
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