Abstract
In the last years, measurement instruments and techniques for three-dimensional mapping as Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and photogrammetry from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) are being increasingly used to monitor topographic changes on particular geological features such as volcanic areas. In addition, topographic instruments such as Total Station Theodolite (TST) and GPS receivers can be used to obtain precise elevation and coordinate position data measuring fixed points both inside and outside the area interested by volcanic activity. In this study, the integration of these instruments has helped to obtain several types of data to monitor both the variations in heights of extrusive edifices within the mud volcano field of the Nirano Regional Natural Reserve (Northern Italy), as well as to study the mechanism of micro-fracturing and the evolution of mud flows and volcanic cones with very high accuracy by 3D point clouds surface analysis and digitization. The large amount of data detected were also analysed to derive morphological information about mud-cracks and surface roughness. This contribution is focused on methods and analysis performed using measurement instruments as TLS and UAV to study and monitoring the main volcanic complexes of the Nirano Natural Reserve as part of a research project, which also involves other studies addressing gases and acoustic measurements, mineralogical and paleontological analysis, organized by the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in collaboration with the Municipality of Fiorano Modenese.
Highlights
Introduction on Mud VolcanoesThe term mud volcanoes refers to geological structures of emissions of saline water associated with hydrocarbon liquids, mud and gases
The laser scanner used to monitor the Nirano mud volcanoes complex is a Leica HDS7000 (Leica Geosystems, Heerbrugg, Switzerland) (Figure 2), a phase-difference scanner provided with an external camera (Canon D7000 with wide angle lens) (Nikon, Tokyo, Japan) necessary to take photographs used to colour the point clouds
Resolution study, information obtained techniques to analyse In In thisthis study, the the information obtained withwith thesethese techniques werewere used used to analyse surfacesurface changes changes by the comparison of point clouds
Summary
The term mud volcanoes refers to geological structures of emissions of saline water associated with hydrocarbon liquids, mud and gases These volcanic buildings are generally cone-shaped, and result from the expulsion of muddy material, rock fragments, gases and fluids [1,2]. The main morphological elements of mud volcanoes are craters, mud flows, irregularly shaped terrains characterized by mud-cracking and mud pool (or salses). These volcanic structures can reach up to a few kilometers in diameter and several hundred meters in height and are present in many areas of our planet that are generally characterized by rapid sedimentation rates, compressive tectonic activity, subduction zones and other tectonic settings that can lead to the formation of preferential structural pathways discharging fluids and gases accumulated in deep reservoirs. Anticlines are geological structures where mud volcanoes are commonly found, and are perturbed by earthquakes as they amplify the seismic wave’s propagation [3]
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