Volcanic geomorphology and tectonics of the Aeolian archipelago (Southern Italy) based on integrated DEM data

Abstract

The geomorphological and morphometric analysis of the sea floor topography surrounding the Aeolian Islands, South Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy, provides insights into the relationships between the volcanological evolution of the islands and their tectonic features. We constructed geomorphological maps of the submarine portions of the seven large edifices constituting the islands on the basis of a DEM with a 5 m resolution step. These maps include constructional and destructional landforms such as submarine volcanic vents located west of Lipari and north of Alicudi, and hummocky surfaces recognised north of Lipari and Salina. The latter landforms, together with the occurrence of large scars affecting the main edifices on land, suggest that sector collapses affected some islands. Geomorphological data indicate that the location of subaerial and submarine vents is strongly controlled by local tectonic structures striking WNW-ESE (Alicudi-Filicudi sector), NNW-SSE (Salina-Lipari-Vulcano sector) and NE-SW (Panarea-Stromboli sector). The islands can be divided Editorial responsibility: C. Kilburn into two groups on the basis of some morphometric parameters: a first group with a pancake-like shape, Dp/D (abrasion platform diameter/basal diameter) higher than 0.40 and H/D (total height/basal diameter) lower than 0.13, and a second group with a conical shape, characterised by Dp/D lower than 0.34 and H/D higher than 0.14. These ratios and other morphometric parameters reflect the different volcanological and structural evolution of the Aeolian Islands. The pancake-like shaped complexes have been created, in addition to their submarine stage, by extrusive and highly explosive activity, whereas the cone-shaped edifices have been characterised by effusive or moderate explosive activity.

The Ionian and Alfeo–Etna fault zones: New segments of an evolving plate boundary in the central Mediterranean Sea?

“…As suggested by geological, geodetic and seismological data (Cuppari et al, 1999;De Astis et al, 2003;Goes et al, 2004;Favalli et al, 2005;Neri et al, 2005;Govers and Wortel, 2005;Billi et al, 2006;Mattia et al, 2008;Palano et al, 2012;De Guidi et al, 2013;Scarfì et al, 2013), this regional discontinuity in the Tyrrhenian offshore, is characterized by transtensional right-lateral motion. It appears to have a primary role in the geodynamics of the Aeolian sector of the southern Tyrrhenian domain, influencing both seismicity and volcanism (Barreca et al, 2014b).…”

Geomorphological map of the Lipari volcanic island (Aeolian Archipelago – Italy)

“…after Lucchi et al, 2004 andLucchi et al, 2010). in the northeastern sector of the island (see map), represent the final stages of volcanic activity on Lipari. According to Favalli, Karatson, Mazzuoli, Pareschi, and Ventura (2005), these volcanic structures give the entire island a pancake-like morphology and are related to the emplacement of significant volumes of dacitic to rhyolitic and trachytic domes and pyroclastics (Crisci et al, 1991). These products are generated by fractional crystallization in shallow magma chambers within the continental crust (De Astis, Ventura, & Vilardo, 2003;De Rosa, Donato, Gioncada, Masetti, & Santacroce, 2003;Gioncada, Mazzuoli, Bisson, & Pareschi, 2003;Zanon, Frezzotti, & Peccerillo, 2003).…”

Stromboli – the best place to actively learn and understand the behavior of an active volcano and its processes

“…8). This erosive shelf plateau has been interpreted as the Late Pleistocene abrasion platform (Gabbianelli et al, 1990;Favalli et al, 2005). This platform is missing within the areas of more recent activity i.e.…”