Monitoring volcanic gases (Italy)

A new gas monitoring research initiative started in late 2006 with two gas monitoring experiments carried out from November 29  to December 1 at the Solfatara volcano near the town of Pozzuoli (Southern Italy) and from December 19 to 20 at Tor Caldara (Alban hills quiescent volcano, Lazio). Gas monitoring was repeated a year later in Solfatara from May 13 to 18.
The gas phase was continuously analysed with a quadrupole mass spectrometer for H₂, H₂S, CH₄, N₂, O₂, Ar, He, and CO₂ and a tuneable diode laser spectrometer for the CO₂ concentration. Gas samples were taken for further laboratory studies.
A permanent installation of this gas monitoring set-up is operating since  2009 at the Pisciarelli fumarole field. This study will provide geochemical characterization of the target area for the proposed ICDP deep drilling project in the Phlegrean Fields  more...


 

• Contact:  Dr. Thomas Wiersberg, Dr. Martin Zimmer