Hydrothermal pressure-temperature control on CO2 emissions and seismicity at Campi Flegrei (Italy)
Giovanni Chiodini, Stefano Caliro, Rosario Avino, Giulio Bini, Flora Giudicepietro, Walter De Cesare, Patrizia Ricciolino, Alessandro Aiuppa, Carlo Cardellini, Zaccaria Petrillo, Jacopo Selva, Agata Siniscalchi, Simona Tripaldi
Abstract
Fluids supplied by stored magma at depth are causal factors of volcanic unrest, as they can cause pressurization/heating of hydrothermal systems. However, evidence for links between hydrothermal pressurization, CO2 emission and volcano seismicity have remained elusive. Here, we use recent (2010−2020) observations at Campi Flegrei caldera (CFc) to show hydrothermal pressure, gas emission and seismicity at CFc share common source areas and well-matching temporal evolutions. We interpret the recent escalation in seismicity and surface gas emissions as caused by pressure-temperature increase at the top of a vertically elongated (0.3–2 km deep) gas front. Using mass (steam) balance considerations, we show hydrothermal pressurization is causing energy transfer from the fluids to the host rocks, ultimately triggering low magnitude earthquakes within a seismogenetic volume containing the hydrothermal system. This mechanism is probably common to other worldwide calderas in similar hydrothermal activity state.