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The central Mediterranean area comprises some of the most active volcanoes of the northern hemisphere. Some of their names recall myths or events in human history: Somma-Vesuvius, Etna, Stromboli, Vulcano, Ischia and Campi Flegrei. These volcanoes are still active today, and produce both effusive and explosive eruptions. In particular, explosive er...
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... samples from tens of explosive eruptions occurred in the last 40 ka have been collected in the central Mediterranean area for geochemical and grain size analyses, using already published and unpublished marine and lacustrine cores and sub-aerial exposures (Fig. 1). The collected data allowed the reconstruction of the minimum areas affected by ash deposition during explosive eruptions of different magnitude and intensity from the active volcanoes of southern Italy. As an example, in Figure 2 are reported the dispersal areas of two Holocene eruptions of Somma-Vesuvius volcano. The first is the ...
Citations
... Such volcanic products are compatible with the tephra of the Campi Flegrei eruptions already attested in the Sele plain [4]. However, the tephra dispersion of Campanian Volcanoes reached the Adriatic region [5][6] and then is possible the foreign provenance of pottery with the same volcanic inclusions. In the case of figulina pottery the provenance from Basilicata and Apulia is probable, because of the diffused presence of fine calcareous clays [7] and the well-known large distribution of Serra d'Alto figulina pottery ware [8][9]. ...
... SV has been among the most active volcanoes in the Mediterranean area since 39 ka , and its explosive eruptions are responsible for numerous widespread ash fall deposits found on land and undersea in the Central Mediterranean and Balkans (e.g. Keller et al. 1978;Paterne et al. 1988;Wulf et al. 2004;Sulpizio et al. 2008;2010a;2010b). In particular, four Plinian eruptions punctuated the activity of SV: Pomici di Base, 22.5 calendar (cal) ka BP (Bertagnini et al. 1998), Pomici di Mercato, 8.9 cal ka BP (Mele et al. 2011), Pomici di Avellino, 3.9 cal ka BP (Sulpizio et al. 2010c;2010d) and Pompeii Pumice, AD 79 (Sigurdsson et al. 1985). ...
Long-range dispersal of volcanic ash can disrupt civil aviation over large areas, as occurred during the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland. Here we assess the hazard for civil aviation posed by volcanic ash from a potential violent Strombolian eruption of Somma-Vesuvius, the most likely scenario if eruptive activity resumed at this volcano. A Somma-Vesuvius eruption is of concern for two main reasons: (1) there is a high probability (38 %) that the eruption will be violent Strombolian, as this activity has been common in the most recent period of activity (between AD 1631 and 1944); and (2) violent Strombolian eruptions typically last longer than higher-magnitude events (from 3 to 7 days for the climactic phases) and, consequently, are likely to cause prolonged air traffic disruption (even at large distances if a substantial amount of fine ash is produced such as is typical during Vesuvius eruptions). We compute probabilistic hazard maps for airborne ash concentration at relevant flight levels using the FALL3D ash dispersal model and a statistically representative set of meteorological conditions. Probabilistic hazard maps are computed for two different ash concentration thresholds, 2 and 0.2 mg/m3, which correspond, respectively, to the no-fly and enhanced procedure conditions defined in Europe during the Eyjafjallajökull eruption. The seasonal influence of ash dispersal is also analysed by computing seasonal maps. We define the persistence of ash in the atmosphere as the time that a concentration threshold is exceeded divided by the total duration of the eruption (here the eruption phase producing a sustained eruption column). The maps of averaged persistence give additional information on the expected duration of the conditions leading to flight disruption at a given location. We assess the impact that a violent Strombolian eruption would have on the main airports and aerial corridors of the Central Mediterranean area, and this assessment can help those who devise procedures to minimise the impact of these long-lasting low-intensity volcanic events on civil aviation.
Volcanic ash causes multiple hazards. One hazard of increasing importance is the threat posed to civil aviation, which occurs
over proximal to long-range distances. Ash fallout disrupts airport operations, while the presence of airborne ash at low
altitudes near airports affects visibility and the safety of landing and take-off operations. Low concentrations of ash at
airplane cruise levels are sufficient to force re-routing of in-flight aircrafts. Volcanic fallout deposits spanning large
distances have been recognized from the Somma-Vesuvius volcano for several Holocene explosive eruptions. Here we develop hazard
and isochron maps for distal ash fallout from the Somma-Vesuvius, as well as hazard maps for critical ash concentrations at
relevant flight levels. Maps are computed by coupling a meteorological model with a fully numeric tephra dispersal model that
can account for ash aggregation processes, which are relevant to the dispersion dynamics of fine ash. The simulations were
carried out using supercomputing facilities, spanning on entire meteorological year that is statistically representative of
the local meteorology during the last few decades. Seasonal influences are also analyzed. The eruptive scenario is based on
a Subplinian I-type eruption, which is within the range of the maximum expected event for this volcano. Results allow us to
quantify the impact that an event of this magnitude and intensity would have on the main airports and aerial corridors of
the Central Mediterranean Area.
KeywordsAsh fallout-Aerial navigation safety-Hazard maps-Somma-Vesuvius-Supercomputer
