The influence of physical properties of crustal rocks on volcanic unrest at Campi Flegrei caldera

Abstract

The Campi Flegrei caldera is in an unrest phase, manifested by increasing ground uplift, seismicity and hydrothermal activity since 2005. The seismicity mainly involves the first 3 km below the main hydrothermal site of Solfatara-Pisciarelli, where an intensifying heating and pressurization phase is inferred by gas geothermobarometers. Geodetic data inversions generally localize the deformation source around this depth in the central sector of the caldera. Two driving mechanisms of magmatic and non-magmatic unrest have been proposed. Recent studies have demonstrated that the main magma storage area is localized at a depth of ~8 km and is periodically recharged by a mafic deeper source. Magmatic fluid transfer from these reservoirs toward the surface can occur through small-volume shallow intrusions, and can occasionally culminate in an eruption. In this frame, investigating the physical properties of subsurface rocks can be valuable to define the source of the current and past unrest. In fact, they can largely affect local stress and strength, controlling volcano dynamics. We explored subsurface rocks of the Campi Flegrei caldera, extracted from 3-km-deep exploratory geothermal wells. X-ray microtomography investigations were combined with in-situ mechanical experiments (4D imaging at room temperature and dry conditions) to characterize rock properties and link them with 3D microstructural changes. The cores were collected according to the most representative stratigraphic levels and are dominated by tuffs alternating with minor lavas. The mineralogical assemblage reflects different depth-dependent T-P conditions ranging from argillic alteration (150 °C) to thermometamorphism (350 °C). Their tensile strength varies between 2 and 15 MPa and shows a general increase with depth, suggesting that a similar excess pressure is required within a potential shallow chamber to drive magma transfer. Combining this preliminary data with correspondent elastic properties, it can be inferred that a volume change between 0.001 and 1 km3 is sufficient to cause rupture conditions in a sill with radius between 0.5 and 5 km, respectively. These results are in agreement with magma volumes erupted during past eruptions at Campi Flegrei caldera, and particularly consistent with volcanological and petrological data of products from small-scale events.