A multidisciplinary team from INGV and Cnr has analyzed the submerged portion of Campi Flegrei and the surrounding seabed, identifying a previously unknown caldera and a large submarine landslide. The research is published in Geomorphology
New magnetic surveys of an active submarine volcanic system located off the western coast of Italy, in correspondence with the Phlegraean Fields and the island of Ischia, have identified on the seabed a series of previously unknown geological structures, including the remains of an ancient caldera and a large landslide.
This is what emerges from a study conducted by a team of researchers from theNational Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and Institute of Marine Sciences of the National Research Council (Cnr-Ismar), recently published in the scientific journal 'Geomorphology'.
The Phlegraean Fields, well known for their historical volcanic activity and for the most recent bradyseismic phenomena, have been the subject of numerous studies, but until now their submarine portion had not been analyzed and represented in an integrated manner with the marine sectors facing them.
New magnetic surveys, conducted in 2022 using airborne and naval surveys, have revealed significant magnetic anomalies indicating the presence of an ancient submerged volcano, just west of Ischia.
“One of the main results of our study is undoubtedly theidentification, based on the morphological analysis of the seabed and magnetic anomalies, of a large caldera never described before. This discovery could prove important for understanding the evolutionary history and volcanic activity of the Campi Flegrei and the island of Ischia”, explains Richard De Ritis, researcher at INGV and first author of the article.
“Another important result of the research was the mapping of a large submarine landslide which extends for tens of kilometers and which could be the result of events linked to the instability of the volcanic slopes", goes on Of Ritis.
The study highlighted magnetic lineaments that correspond to both known regional faults and new structures that may reflect tectonic and volcanic processes still active in the area.
“For our research we used high-resolution magnetic surveys via airborne and naval surveys, and then cross-referenced the magnetic anomaly data with bathymetric and seismic data”, he specifies Massimo Chiappini, Director of the Environment Department of INGV and co-author of the study. “This study is the result of an important collaboration between INGV, Cnr and other academic institutions, to underline the value of a Multidisciplinary approach to understanding complex volcanic systems".
“Our studio offers a clearer view of the underwater geology of the Phlegraean Fields, opening up important potential reflections for the mitigation of volcanic risk in one of the most densely populated areas of Italy and revealing the importance of marine geophysics in monitoring and studying areas at volcanic risk”, he adds Salvatore Passaro, researcher at Cnr-Ismar and co-author of the article.
“The discovery of a large landslide, which could also have generated a massive tsunami, and the identification of magnetic anomalies linked to possible volcanic activity provide new ideas for further research and monitoring”he concludes Bird.
Useful links:
National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV)
Institute of Marine Sciences of the National Research Council (CNR-ISMAR)
Figure 1: Map of magnetic anomalies of identified geological structures
Figure 2: Three-dimensional image of the investigated seabed with the main morphological discoveries
Figure 3: Graph of spatial analysis of magnetic anomalies