A Thousand Earthquakes to 38 Years of Silence: Scientists Map Out Volcano Feeder Pathways Using Seismic Imaging

In the southern part of Italy is a landform popularly known as Campi Flegrei, a volcanic area with 24 craters and volcanic edifices. A team of scientists has taken an interest in the feeder pathway taken by the hot fluids that feed the said volcano. Using the sound of the ocean, the scientists have produced a seismic image of the deeper structure of the volcano. This innovative technique that uses the seismic noise, or what scientists call the "hum", reveals the main route that the fluids take to reach the surface.

In the 1980s, volcanic material got into the shallower structure of the Campi Flegrei volcano which caused thousands of small earthquakes. This was followed by 38 years of silence.

During the said period of seismic activity in the 1980s, a feeder pathway was formed which brings volcanic material from the depths of the volcano. It is said that the source is located out at sea. The volcanic material travels through the feeder pathways beneath the volcano towards fumaroles at the center of the caldera. The volcanic material is expelled in the air as vapor through a number of steaming vents.

Working alongside the Vesuvius Observatory, seismologists Professor Luca de Siena, Dr. Davis Cornwell, and Dr. Carmelo Sammarco, organized a study from the School of Geosciences at the University of Aberdeen. The said observatory keeps the government's Department of Civil Protection aware of any threats posed by the volcanic activity in the area.

Professor de Siena Explained that by using the noise at the seashore to create a seismic image the team has presented a better analysis of how the volcanic material travels.

However, even if seismic imaging has aided the scientists to accurately measure the volcano's structure at a certain depth, the low level of seismic activity has kept other parts of the volcano a mystery that is yet to be uncovered. 

The professor pointed out the importance of the study in improving the understanding of the character of volcanoes. He also pointed out the possibility for improving the monitoring process and early warning procedures especially in an area saturated by people.

The team's research was featured in a documentary film titled "The Next Pompeii". In the documentary, the innovative scientific techniques used to monitor the super volcano that is Campi Flegrei was given the highlight it deserves. The Campi Flegrei is a volcanic caldera located to the west of Naples. The super volcano's last eruption happened about 500 years ago.