Post-orogenetic magmatic activity and related geothermal resources in southern Tuscany, Italy

Abstract

A wide area of central Italy, located along the Tyrrhenian coast, is characterized by recent magmatic activity, regional uplifting and abundant thermal manifestations. The area, which includes southern Tuscany and parts of northern Latium, is bounded to the north by the Arno River valley, to the east by the Chiana valley and Lake Trasimeno, to the south by the Tiber valley and to the west by the important normal fault system controlling the Tyrrhenian coast. The area is also well-known for the frequent occurrences of young mineral deposits and the presence of abundant high enthalpy geothermal resources: the dry-steam fields of Larderello and Mt. Amiata, among the largest in the world, with a present electric installed capacity of 459 MW (1984). The understanding of the origin of these phenomena and of the processes which led to the formation of the natural resources characterizing the area (geothermal, mineral etc.), might represent a valuable exploration tool and lead to a further expansion of present exploitation.