Tracking the Endogenous Dynamics of the Solfatara Volcano (Campi Flegrei, Italy) through the Analysis of Ground Thermal Image Temperatures

Paola Cusano,Giuseppe Vilardo,Mariarosaria Falanga,Enza De Lauro,Simona Petrosino,Fabio Sansivero,Teresa Caputo

doi:10.3390/atmos12080940

Paola Cusano, Giuseppe Vilardo + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12080940

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Abstract

In the last decades, thermal infrared ground-based cameras have become effective tools to detect significant spatio-temporal anomalies in the hydrothermal/volcanic environment, possibly linked to impending eruptions. In this paper, we analyzed the temperature time-series recorded by the ground-based Thermal Infrared Radiometer permanent network of INGV-OV, installed inside the Solfatara-Pisciarelli area, the most active fluid emission zones of the Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy). We investigated the temperatures’ behavior in the interval 25 June 2016–29 May 2020, with the aim of tracking possible endogenous hydrothermal/volcanic sources. We performed the Independent Component Analysis, the time evolution estimation of the spectral power, the cross-correlation and the Changing Points’ detection. We compared the obtained patterns with the behavior of atmospheric temperature and pressure, of the time-series recorded by the thermal camera of Mt. Vesuvius, of the local seismicity moment rate and of the CO2 emission flux. We found an overall influence of exogenous, large scale atmospheric effect, which dominated in 2016–2017. Starting from 2018, a clear endogenous forcing overcame the atmospheric factor, and dominated strongly soil temperature variations until the end of the observations. This paper highlights the importance of monitoring and investigating the soil temperature in volcanic environments, as well as the atmospheric parameters.

Highlights

In the last decades, thermal remote sensing has been largely used in surveys and in the analysis of thermal behavior of active volcanic areas
Hernández et al [7] measured a significant increase in the surface lake temperature and an intensification of the fumarolic emissions, by using thermal infrared images acquired with a handheld camera
Can can be seen, some characteristic peaks appear in broader spectra corresponding As to spebe seen, some characteristic peaks appear in broader spectra corresponding to specific periodicities, in agreement with those evidenced by spectral analysis reported in Caputo et al [15]

Summary

Introduction

Thermal remote sensing has been largely used in surveys and in the analysis of thermal behavior of active volcanic areas. Hernández et al [7] measured a significant increase in the surface lake temperature and an intensification of the fumarolic emissions, by using thermal infrared images acquired with a handheld camera. Atmosphere 2021, 12, 940 surface lake temperature and an intensification of the fumarolic emissions, by using of thermal infrared images acquired with a handheld camera. In temporal behavior of the seismicity rate [20,21] and CO2 2 emission flux [22] inorder ordertoto better bettercharacterize characterizepossible possibleendogenous endogenoussources sourcesacting actingininthe thefirst first3 3km kmofofdepth depth[23] Such endogenous sources are linked to the hydrothermal/volcanic dynamics, such as magma endogenous sources are linked to the hydrothermal/volcanic dynamics, such as magma movements, movements,pressured pressuredgas gasinjection injectionatatdepth, depth,regional regionalor orlocal localstress stressfield fieldvariations variationsand and so on.

The Study Area

Thermal Infrared Surface Data and Atmospheric Temperature and Pressure Data

Analyzed

Method

ICA Results

Spectral

Changing

12 December 2016

Conclusions