Crustal structure in the Campanian region (Southern Apennines, Italy) from potential field modelling

Abstract

We present a 3D model of the main crustal boundaries beneath the Campanian region and the onshore and offshore surrounding areas, based on high-resolution potential field data. Our main objective is the definition of the main structural interfaces in the whole Campanian region from gravity and magnetic data, thanks to their ability to define them on a regional and continuous way. The complex morphology of the Mesozoic carbonate platform, which is fundamental to constrain the top of geothermal reservoir, was reconstructed by inverting the vertical gradient of gravity. We assumed local information from seismic models and boreholes to improve the model. We modeled the deep crustal structures by spectral analysis of Bouguer gravity and magnetic data. The inferred depth estimates indicate a shallow crystalline basement below the Tyrrhenian crust and the Apulian foreland and a significant depression beneath the Bradanic foredeep. The map of the Moho boundary shows a NE-SE verging trough below the Southern Apennine chain and two pronounced uplifts beneath the foreland and the Tyrrhenian crust. We also estimated the depth to the magnetic bottom, showing a thick magnetic crust below the mountain chain and shallow depths where the crustal heat flow is high. The models were compared with seismic sections along selected profiles; a good agreement was observed, despite of some inherent lower resolution for the gravity modelling from spectral methods. The regional covering and the continuity of our estimated crustal interfaces make it a new and valid reference for further geological, geophysical and geothermal studies, especially in areas such as northern and eastern Campania, where there is an incomplete geophysical and geological information.

Magnetic and GPR Data Modelling via Multiscale Methods in San Pietro in Crapolla Abbey, Massa Lubrense (Naples)

“…It consists of an inlet in the south-western sector of the Sorrento Peninsula. The Sorrento peninsula is part of the Lattari Mountains (Southern Apennines) and is a structural high elongating SW-NE between the Gulf of Salerno and the Campanian Plain (Kelemework et al 2021). It is mainly formed by Mesozoic (Triassic to Upper Cretaceous) limestones (Iannace, Capuano, and Galluccio 2011).…”

New Inferences on Magma Dynamics in Melilitite-Carbonatite Volcanoes: The Case Study of Mt. Vulture (Southern Italy)

“…Furthermore, the xenoliths have no cumulative or poikilitic textures, they lack plagioclase that often occurs in cumulates, and the chemical composition overlaps well with other xenoliths from previous studies (Figure S4 in Supporting Information S1). Coherently with the crust-mantle boundary inferred beneath the Vulture area with geophysical methods (magnetism and gravimetry) at a depth of about 32 km (Kelemework et al, 2021), the re-equilibration processes lowered by about 15% the fluid density at the time of trapping. Thus, the xenoliths probably represent the shallowest upper mantle, and the FIs in the rock-forming minerals of these xenoliths suggest a minimum trapping pressure of 9-10 kbar, which is around the local Moho.…”

New Inferences on Magma Dynamics in Melilitite‐Carbonatite Volcanoes: The Case Study of Mt. Vulture (Southern Italy)

“…Furthermore, the xenoliths have no cumulative or poikilitic textures, they lack plagioclase that often occurs in cumulates, and the chemical composition overlaps well with other xenoliths from previous studies (Figure S4 in Supporting Information ). Coherently with the crust‐mantle boundary inferred beneath the Vulture area with geophysical methods (magnetism and gravimetry) at a depth of about 32 km (Kelemework et al., 2021), the re‐equilibration processes lowered by about 15% the fluid density at the time of trapping. Thus, the xenoliths probably represent the shallowest upper mantle, and the FIs in the rock‐forming minerals of these xenoliths suggest a minimum trapping pressure of 9–10 kbar, which is around the local Moho.…”