Monitoring CO2 Hazards of Volcanic Origin: A Case Study at the Island of Vulcano (Italy) during 2021–2022

Abstract

The La Fossa volcano is near the inhabited zone of the island of Vulcano and is a suitable case for studying gas sources of different geological origins. Since the last eruption, fumarolic-solfataric activity has interested this area with fumarolic emissions, mainly at the top of the volcanic cone and at Vulcano Porto. In recent decades, the anomalous degassing zones on the island have not significantly changed their location. On the contrary, there have been several significant changes in the emission rate due to the addition of volcanic gas. In these zones, CO2 flux from the ground is responsible for a decrease in the indoor air quality. A recent increase in volcanic degassing led to an increase in the gas hazard in the inhabited area of Vulcano Island, and people were temporarily displaced from Vulcano Porto. The results of this study show that a monitoring system can be used for the early detection of transients in soil CO2 flux (φCO2) in the anomalous degassing zone of Vulcano. Synchronous monitoring of φCO2 and outdoor air CO2 concentration has shown variations in volcanic degassing that affect outdoor air CO2 concentration in the populated zone of Faraglione.