Papers by Claudio Scarpati
E-Journal Scavi di Pompei, 2024
Recent Research on Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, Paleontology, Tectonics, Geochemistry, Volcanology and Petroleum Geology, Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation,, 2023
Literature data show that the two most widespread Vesuvius 79 AD pyroclastic density currents (PD... more Literature data show that the two most widespread Vesuvius 79 AD pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) have been traced over a large area around the volcano throughout the Campanian plain. Here, we present stratigraphic and volcanological evidence for 79 AD PDC deposits on higher elevated areas bordering the Campanian plain. More specifically, a sequence of ash deposits, with erosive basal contacts, interstratified with lithic-rich lapilli fall layers (D, G1, G3, I, and X2), has been observed above a thick pumice blanket that has been associated with the Plinian phase on the Lattari mountains between 50 and 300 m asl. We use fall layers as guide levels that allow the correlation of the distal ash deposits with the proximal/medial stratigraphic sequences. The ash PDC sequence ranges in thickness from 22 cm (where local debris flows partially erode it) to 150 cm (where it thickens against anthropic structures). This study demonstrates that most PDC units recognized in medial areas, including the final phreatomagmatic events, are traceable on mountain slopes about 20 km from the vent. The discovery of PDC units at altitudes as high as 300 m asl adjacent to the Campanian plain suggests an inflated and turbulent nature of the parental pyroclastic currents and a limited shielding effect of the mountains to the spread of the PDCs.
Recent Research on Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, Paleontology, Tectonics, Geochemistry, Volcanology and Petroleum Geology, Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation, 2023
The AD 79 Vesuvius eruption is characterized by two main phases: a sustained column phase, which ... more The AD 79 Vesuvius eruption is characterized by two main phases: a sustained column phase, which deposited a thick white-gray pumice lapilli deposit, followed by a column collapse phase, which emplaced several pyroclastic density currents. Here, we present stratigraphic and volcanological evidence for five lithic-rich lapilli fall layers (D, G1, G3, I, and X2, from base to top) interstratified with pyroclastic density current deposits, which have been emplaced after the collapse of the AD 79 Plinian column. These are distributed south of the Vesuvius, at distances between 5 and 20 km from the vent. All sections were sampled to quantify lateral and vertical changes in grain size, and sedimentological parameters were determined. Clasts were separated into three main categories: juvenile, lithic, and crystals. The coarser layers, D and G1, have median diameters similar to those of the finer part of the Plinian deposit at the same locations, indicating a significant plume height during these later sustained column pulses. Our study suggests that the resumption of a sustained column was repeatedly established during the post-Plinian phase of the AD 79 eruption, similar to the ignimbrite phase of the Novarupta and Bishop Tuff Plinian eruptions. The lithic-rich nature of all these late fall phases suggests changes in eruption style (with respect to the magmatic Plinian phase), possibly associated with instabilities in the conduit-vent system.
Developments in Volcanology, 2006
This study on terrestrial and marine successions increases the understanding of the Late-Holocene... more This study on terrestrial and marine successions increases the understanding of the Late-Holocene volcanological and stratigraphical evolution of the south-western part of Campi Flegrei caldera.Stratigraphic data derived from field studies of two major tuff vents located along the coastal zone, namely Porto Miseno and Capo Miseno, clearly indicate that the Porto Miseno tuff ring slightly predates the Capo Miseno tuff
Bulletin of Volcanology, 2011
... Isaia R, Orsi G, Southon J, de Vita S, D'Antonio M, Pappalardo L, Piochi M (1999) Vo... more ... Isaia R, Orsi G, Southon J, de Vita S, D'Antonio M, Pappalardo L, Piochi M (1999) Volcanism and deformation since 12,000 years at the Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy). J Volcanol Geotherm Res 91:221–246 Fedele L, Insinga DD, Calvert AT, Morra V, Perrotta A, Scarpati C (2011 ...
Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2014
Geological Magazine, 2012
The city of Naples can be considered part of the Campi Flegrei volcanic field, and deposits withi... more The city of Naples can be considered part of the Campi Flegrei volcanic field, and deposits within the urban area record many autochthonous pre- to post-caldera eruptions. Age measurements were carried out using 40Ar–39Ar dating techniques on samples from small monogenetic vents and more widely distributed tephra layers. The 40Ar–39Ar ages on feldspar phenocrysts yielded ages of c. 16 ka and 22 ka for events older than the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff caldera-forming eruption (15 ka), and ages of c. 40 ka, 53 ka and 78 ka for events older than the Campanian Ignimbrite caldera-forming eruption (39 ka). The oldest age obtained is 18 ka older than previous dates for pyroclastic deposits cropping out along the northern rim of Campi Flegrei. The results of this study allow us to divide the Campi Flegrei volcanic history into four main, geochronologically distinct eruptive cycles. A new period, the Paleoflegrei, occurred before 74–78 ka and has been proposed to better discriminate the ancient v...
The Encyclopedia of Ancient History, 2012
ABSTRACT Mount Etna dominates the landscape of northeast Sicily and is the largest continental vo... more ABSTRACT Mount Etna dominates the landscape of northeast Sicily and is the largest continental volcano in the world: the summit crater reaches the height of about 3300 m above sea level, and its volcanic products cover an area of around 1750 km2. In Greek and Roman mythology Etna was famed as the forge of the fire God VOLCANUS and as the prison of the monster Typhon.
Solid Earth Discussions, 2012
The Encyclopedia of Ancient History, 2012
ABSTRACT The Phlegraean Fields, an active volcanic field located west of the city of NEAPOLIS (NA... more ABSTRACT The Phlegraean Fields, an active volcanic field located west of the city of NEAPOLIS (NAPLES), has been the site of numerous eruptions from monogenic volcanoes for the past 70,000 years. Some of these volcanoes are famous from an historical point of view, including the volcano of CUMAE (KYME) that was the place of the first Greek colony on the mainland of Italy in the eighth century BCE and the Capo Miseno (MISENUM) volcano from which PLINY THE YOUNGER witnessed the eruption of VESUVIUS that in 79 CE destroyed the Roman cities of POMPEII and HERCULANEUM.
40Ar/ 39Ar ages have been measured on the older major explosive eruptions of Somma-Vesuvius volca... more 40Ar/ 39Ar ages have been measured on the older major explosive eruptions of Somma-Vesuvius volcano in Italy. These eruptions all have pumice fall, and pyroclastic surge and flow deposits. The eruptive history of Somma-Vesuvius volcano has previously been based on uncalibrated 14C ages, mostly on carbon from paleosols, reported by Delibrias and others (1979) and Sigurdsson and others (1985). These
Scientific Reports 10, 22230, 2020
Large ignimbrites are the product of devastating explosive eruptions that have repeatedly impacte... more Large ignimbrites are the product of devastating explosive eruptions that have repeatedly impacted climate and life on global scale. The assemblage of vertical and lateral lithofacies variations within an ignimbrite sheet, its internal architecture, may help to determine how the parental pyroclastic current evolves in time and space. The 39 ka Campanian Ignimbrite eruption, vented from Campi Flegrei caldera, laid down a thick ignimbrite over an area of thousands of km 2. A detailed reconstruction of the vertical and lateral variation of the seven lithofacies recognised in the ignimbrite medial sequence constrains the behaviour of this event. The pyroclastic current flowed over a wide area around Campi Flegrei without depositing (bypass zone), and inundated a huge area during most of the paroxysmal, waxing phase, emplacing a mainly incipiently-to strongly-welded ignimbrite. Following this waxing phase, the leading edge of the current retreated back towards the source as the current waned, impacting a progressively smaller area and leaving an unconsolidated ash and lapilli deposit, later lithified. Our study illustrates how large pyroclastic currents can evolve in time and space and the importance of both internal (eruptive and transport mechanisms) and external (topography, surficial water and rain) factors in governing their behaviour. Catastrophic pyroclastic currents impact huge regions and represent one of the most devastating natural phenomena 1. Large pyroclastic currents emplace thick sequences of ash-and vesiculated juvenile-rich deposits (ignimbrite 2,3). Large ignimbrites show changes in facies on a regional scale 4. There are only a few large ignim-brites that have been subject to detailed studies of their three-dimensional facies architecture; these include the Bishop Tuff 5 , Taupo ignimbrite 6 , Novarupta ignimbrite 7 , Cerro Galán ignimbrite 8 , and Neapolitan Yellow Tuff 9. In order to broaden our understanding of these eruptive events, studies of additional, well-exposed examples are needed. Here, we present a detailed examination of the medial pyroclastic current deposits (10 to 80 km from source) of the Campanian Ignimbrite eruption (CI), a caldera-forming Plinian event occurred 39 ka ago 10,11 , whose pyroclastic current spread over a huge area from Campi Flegrei (Italy) emplacing a thick ignimbrite sequence (Figs. 1, 2). The estimated magnitude ranges between 7.2 and 7.7 12,13. We describe CI architecture (i.e. its distribution, thickness and vertical and lateral variations of lithofacies) and explore the role of eruptive and transport mechanisms as well as topography, weather, and surficial water as factors that influenced deposition from the pyroclastic current. Ignimbrites are considered to be emplaced by concentrated pyroclastic flows 19,20 or dilute and turbulent pyroclastic currents 21-23. Because of their complexity, the physics of these flows are still poorly understood. Experimental approaches 24-28 and numerical formulations 29,30 have been used to simulate transport and emplacement of this type of gravity current. Field and laboratory data allowed previous studies to conclude that the CI was deposited from a dilute pyroclastic current 31-33. We concur with these authors on the dilute nature of the CI transport system and use their conclusions as a starting point. In this paper, we integrate a model 33 addressing the turbulent and dilute nature of the CI pyroclastic current, during the emplacement of the CI ground layer, with new data (lithofacies and their grainsize characteristics) extending its application to the whole medial ignimbrite sequence. The study highlights how the CI ignimbrite sequence was assembled and the main internal and external factors that influenced its sedimentation, which can in turn help to constrain the general behaviour of large pyroclastic currents. OPEN
Geological Magazine, 157: 695-700, 2020
A new stratigraphic survey of the pyroclastic deposits blanketing Pompeii ruins shows departures ... more A new stratigraphic survey of the pyroclastic deposits blanketing Pompeii ruins shows departures from prior reconstruction of the events that occurred inside the town during the two main phases (pumice fallout and pyroclastic density currents) of the AD 79 Vesuvius eruption. We document the depth and distribution of subaerial erosion surfaces in the upper part of the pyroclastic sequence, formed during two short-lived breaks occurring in the course of the second phase of the eruption. These pauses could explain why 50% of the victims were found in the streets during the pyroclastic density currents phase.
Scientific Drilling, 2019
Large calderas are among the Earth's major volcanic features. They are associated with large magm... more Large calderas are among the Earth's major volcanic features. They are associated with large magma reservoirs and elevated geothermal gradients. Caldera-forming eruptions result from the withdrawal and collapse of the magma chambers and produce large-volume pyroclastic deposits and later-stage deformation related to post-caldera resurgence and volcanism. Unrest episodes are not always followed by an eruption; however, every eruption is preceded by unrest. The Campi Flegrei caldera (CFc), located along the eastern Tyrrhenian coastline in southern Italy, is close to the densely populated area of Naples. It is one of the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth and represents a key example of an active, resurgent caldera. It has been traditionally interpreted as a nested caldera formed by collapses during the 100-200 km 3 Campanian Ignimbrite (CI) eruption at ∼ 39 ka and the 40 km 3 eruption of the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff (NYT) at ∼ 15 ka. Recent studies have suggested that the CI may instead have been fed by a fissure eruption from the Campanian Plain, north of Campi Flegrei. Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the IODP and the ICDP. 2 M. Sacchi et al.: A roadmap for amphibious drilling at the Campi Flegrei caldera A MagellanPlus workshop was held in Naples, Italy, on 25-28 February 2017 to explore the potential of the CFc as target for an amphibious drilling project within the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) and the International Continental Drilling Program (ICDP). It was agreed that Campi Flegrei is an ideal site to investigate the mechanisms of caldera formation and associated post-caldera dynamics and to analyze the still poorly understood interplay between hydrothermal and magmatic processes. A coordinated onshore-offshore drilling strategy has been developed to reconstruct the structure and evolution of Campi Flegrei and to investigate volcanic precursors by examining (a) the succession of volcanic and hydrothermal products and related processes, (b) the inner structure of the caldera resurgence, (c) the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the hydrothermal system and offshore sediments, and (d) the geological expression of the phreatic and hydro-magmatic eruptions, hydrothermal degassing, sedimentary structures, and other records of these phenomena. The deployment of a multiparametric in situ monitoring system at depth will enable near-real-time tracking of changes in the magma reservoir and hydrothermal system.
Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2019
The products of explosive activity of La Soufrière volcano on the island of St Vincent over the l... more The products of explosive activity of La Soufrière volcano on the island of St Vincent over the last 1000 years are described. Dates for the different eruptions were determined using information from contemporary accounts, fieldwork and radiocarbon dating. Scoria-flow type pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) dominate the products of both the historical eruptions (1979, 1902-03, 1718/1812 CE) and prehistoric eruptions (~1580 and 1440 CE) with subordinate fallout components associated with several eruptions. Radiocarbon dating shows that these six eruptions define a crude cyclicity with repose periods ranging between 77 and ~140 years and systematically decreasing in more recent times. Two prehistoric eruptions, in ~1440 and 1580 CE respectively, both produced magmatic lapilli fallout and PDCs, and were fed by slightly more evolved magmas than the historical eruptions. The eruptions in 1902 and 1812 CE had ash-rich, possible phreatomagmatic activity at their onset. The iconic 1902-03 CE eruption generated radial distributed PDCs, which were responsible for the deaths of ~1500 people. However, only small remnants of these deposits remain and the original distribution cannot be determined from the preserved geology, which has important implications for hazard studies. Petrochemical work has shown that magmas involved in the explosive eruptions were quite narrow in compo-sitional range, mainly comprising basaltic andesites. The 1902-03 eruption involved a late stage basaltic component in March 1903. However, activity in the last 1000 years generated notably more homogeneous magmas with a narrower range than the older eruptive periods previously reported in the literature, suggesting a significant variation in the magmatic reservoir feeding system with time.
Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2017
Pre-caldera (> 22 ka) lateral activity at Somma-Vesuvius is related to scoria-and spatter-cone fo... more Pre-caldera (> 22 ka) lateral activity at Somma-Vesuvius is related to scoria-and spatter-cone forming events of monogenetic or polygenetic nature. A new stratigraphic, sedimentological, textural and lithofacies investigation was performed on five parasitic cones (Pollena cones, Traianello cone, S. Maria a Castello cone and the recently found Terzigno cone) occurring below the Pomici di Base (22 ka) Plinian products emplaced during the first cal-dera collapse at Somma-Vesuvius. A new Ar/Ar age of 23.6 ± 0.3 ka obtained for the Traianello cone as well as the absence of a paleosol or reworked material between the S. Maria a Castello cone and the Pomici di Base deposits suggest that such cone-forming eruptions occurred near the upper limit of the pre-caldera period (22–39 ky). The stratigraphy of three of these eccentric cones (Pollena cones and Traianello cone) exhibits erosion surfaces, exotic tephras, volcaniclastic layers, paleosols, unconformity and paraconformity between superimposed eruptive units revealing their multi-phase, polygenetic evolution related to activation of separate vents and periods of quies-cence. Such eccentric cones have been described as composed of scoria deposits and pure effusive lavas by previous authors. Lavas are here re-interpreted as welded horizons (lava-like) composed of coalesced spatter fragments whose pyroclastic nature is locally revealed by relicts of original fragments and remnants of clast outlines. These welded horizons show, locally, rheomorphic structures allowing to define them as emplaced as clastogenic lava flows. The lava-like facies is transitional, upward and downward, to less welded facies composed of agglutinated to unwelded spatter horizons in which clasts outlines are increasingly discernible. Such textural characteristics and facies variation are consistent with a continuous fall deposition of Hawaiian fire-fountains episodes alternated with Strombolian phases emplacing loose scoria deposits. High enrichment factor values, measured in the scoria deposits, imply the ejection of large proportion of ash even during Strombolian events.
A ~5 m thick pyroclastic and volcaniclastic sequence, never reported before, comprising a pumice ... more A ~5 m thick pyroclastic and volcaniclastic sequence, never reported before, comprising a pumice fall deposit has been recognized in a disused quarry near Pollena Trocchia, on the NW slope of Somma-Vesuvius. It is composed of three stratigraphic units: a pumice fall deposit that underlies a pyroclastic density current deposit; they are overlain by a volcaniclastic unit emplaced during a quiescent period of the volcano. The pyroclastic deposits are separated by a horizon of reworked material indicating the emplacement from two distinct eruptive events. The pumice fall deposit has been subject of a detailed investigation. It consists of an ash bed overlaid by a roughly stratified pumice fall layer. The presence of ballistic clasts indicates the proximal nature of this deposit and its stratigraphic position below the Pomici di Base (22 ka) Plinian deposit allows constraining its age to the pre-cal-dera period (22–39 ky) of activity of Somma-Vesuvius. Samples have been collected in order to perform sedi-mentological (grain size and componentry), geochemical and isotopic analyses. Samples range from moderately to poorly sorted and show a trachytic composition. The comparison with literature data of compatible deposits vented from Somma-Vesuvius (Schiava, Taurano and Codola eruptions as well as borehole data) allows excluding any correlation with already known Vesuvian products suggesting that the analysed products are ascribable to a new, pre-caldera, explosive eruption. We name this new event " Carcavone eruption ". Based on thickness, maximum lithic clasts and orientation of impact sags, showing a provenance from SE, we envisage the emplacement from a Plinian style eruption vented in the northern sector of the current caldera.
The AD 472 eruption and its impact on some sites on the slopes of Vesuvius. This contribution pro... more The AD 472 eruption and its impact on some sites on the slopes of Vesuvius. This contribution provides a multi-disciplinary analysis of the AD 472 eruption of Vesuvius in archaeological contexts. The first section overviews the settlement pattern and the data available on the sites buried by volcanoclastic fill. It further addresses the question of the exact number and main features of the late antique eruptions of Vesuvius (i.e. AD 472, 505 and 512), it reviews the information from literary sources and analyses the evidence from the field. In particular, the impact of the AD 472 eruption on two sites on the northern slopes of Vesuvius – in Pollena Trocchia and Somma Vesuviana – is thoroughly described. The last section deals with the problem of resettlement after AD 472 and puts forward some hypotheses as to how the land recovered.
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Papers by Claudio Scarpati
Responsabile del Progetto CARG per la Regione Campania: Monti L.
Aree emerse
Isola di Procida
Coordinatore scientifico: D'Argenio B.
Redazione scientifica: Putignano M.L.
Direttore del rilevamento: Morra V.
Rilevatori: Perrotta A., Scarpati C.
Analisi petrochimiche: Fedele L.
Analisi geocronologiche 40Ar/39Ar: Calvert A.T., Insinga D., Lepore S.
Isola di Vivara
Coordinatore scientifico e Direttore del rilevamento: Sbrana A.
Rilevatori: Marianelli P., Sbrana A.
Aree marine
Coordinatori scientifici: D'Argenio B., Marsella E.
Redazione scientifica: Putignano M.L.
Isola di Procida
Direttori del rilevamento aree marine costiere (da 0 m a -30 m): Orrù P., Putignano M.L.
aree marine (oltre i -30 m): Aiello G.
Rilevatori subacquei aree marine (da 0 m a -30 m): Orrù P., Putignano M.L., Sgrosso A., Vecchio E.,
Rilevatori aree marine (oltre i -30 m): Aiello G., Budillon F., Conforti A.
Responsabile della sicurezza delle attività subacquee: Morgera V.
Acquisizione ed elaborazione dati area marina
geofisica: Aiello G., De Lauro M., Di Martino G., D'Isanto C., Giordano F., Innangi S., Passaro S., Ruggieri S., Sacchi M., Scotto di Vettimo P., Tonielli R
stratigrafia: Aiello G.
micropaleontologia: Ferraro L.
analisi granulometriche: Capodanno M., Molisso F.
Commissione di coordinamento CARG dei fogli geologici alla scala 1:10000:
per la Regione Campania: D'Elia G., Monti L., Putignano M.L.
per il Servizio Geologico d'Italia - ISPRA: D'Angelo S., Di Stefano R., Lettieri M.T., Papasodaro F.
Responsabili per l'informatizzazione: Luperini W., Pelosi N., Terlizzi F.
ENTI FINANZIATORI DEL PROGETTO:
aree emese: Regione Campania e Servizio Geologico D'Italia (ISPRA)
aree marine: Regione Campania e Autorità di Bacino Nord Occidentale della Campania
Note Illustrative
A cura di:
aree emerse: Fedele L., Morra V., Perrotta A., Scarpati C. (Isola di Procida)
Sbrana A (Isola di Vivara)
aree marine costiere da 0 a -30 m: Putignano M.L., Orrù P.E., Schiattarella M. (Isola di Procida)
Putignano M.L. (Isola di Vivara)
aree amrine oltre i -30 m: Aiello G., Budillon F., Conforti A., D'Argenio B.
Con i contributi di:
aree emerse: Calcaterra D. (geologia applicata Isola di Procida)
per le aree marine costiere (da 0 a -30 m): Sgrosso A., Vecchio E. (stratigrafia e biocenosi Isola di Procida)
volcanic ash that had buried it following the Vesuvian eruption of 79 AD. Within the scope of this project it has been possible to reconstruct the pyroclastic sequence that emerged discordantly on the terraced buildings that follow the western slope of the Pompeii area. Wall bricks are embedded in the volcanic deposits and testify to the impact of the eruption on the Pompeian houses.
comme d’un événement catastrophique, a en réalité donné
une seconde vie à Pompéi. La première s’est terminée par une
destruction partielle suivie d’un ensevelissement total sous
une couche d’environ 6 m de lapilli de pierres ponces et de
cendres ; puis Pompéi est reparue au bout d’environ mille sept
cents longues années.