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 planned for late 2008 at the Pisciarelli fumarole field. This study also will provide geochemical characterization of the target area for the proposed deep drilling project in the Phlegrean Fields  (ICDP).


 

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