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Ground deformations are among the main volcanic phenomena occurring within the caldera system and presently recorded at different volcanoes worldwide including the Campi Flegrei active caldera (southern Italy). A new stratigraphic, sedimentological and paleontological survey carried out in the central sector of the Campi Flegrei caldera both along the already known La Starza succession and through a new excavated tunnel provided new insights into the ground movement episodes occurred in the last 15 kyr. This study, which has also benefited of unpublished boreholes stratigraphic data, shows that the most uplifted sector of the Campi Flegrei caldera, presently marked by the morphological structure of the La Starza cliff close to the Pozzuoli coastline, was characterized by a complex sedimentary evolution. It results from different phases of alternating marine transgressions and regressions, the latter marked by both continental volcanic and/or palustrine/lacustrine sediments. These alternations result from the interplay between (i) subsidence and uplift episodes of the caldera floor and (ii) sea level variations during the Holocene. A rest period of volcanism accompanied by a sea level rise determined a significant submersion phase in about 3000 years between 8.59 and 5.5 ka. This phase was defined by a sea level with a maximum water depth value of 60–80 m and a late stage recording significant episodes of ground movements. Subsequently, between 5.5 and 3.5 ka, a ground uplift of about 100 m occurred, with short subsidence around 4.5 ka following the Plinian Agnano-Monte Spina eruption. The net vertical displacement represents the recorded deformation linked with a volcanism period in which ~2.5 km3 of magma were erupted by different vents within the caldera. It is worth to note as the general trend of ground movement through the time indicates a similarity in the pattern, beyond its scale. • New geological data about ground movement of Campi Flegrei caldera in the last 15 kyr • The studied marine succession indicates alternating transgressions and regressions. • Subsidence and uplift episodes of the caldera were reconstructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Tephra layers from archaeological sites in southern Italy and eastern Europe stratigraphically associated with cultural levels containing Early Upper Palaeolithic industry were analysed. The results confirm the occurrence of the Campanian Ignimbrite tephra (CI; ca. 40 cal ka BP) at Castelcivita Cave (southern Italy), Temnata Cave (Bulgaria) and in the Kostenki–Borshchevo area of the Russian Plain. This tephra, originated from the largest eruption of the Phlegrean Field caldera, represents the widest volcanic deposit and one of the most important temporal/stratigraphic markers of western Eurasia. At Paglicci Cave and lesser sites in the Apulia region we recognise a chemically and texturally different tephra, which lithologically, chronologically and chemically matches the physical and chemical characteristics of the Plinian eruption of Codola; a poorly known Late Pleistocene explosive event from the Neapolitan volcanoes, likely Somma–Vesuvius. For this latter, we propose a preliminary age estimate of ca. 33 cal ka BP and a correlation to the widespread C-10 marine tephra of the central Mediterranean. The stratigraphic position of both CI and Codola tephra layers at Castelcivita and Paglicci help date the first and the last documented appearance of Early Upper Palaeolithic industries of southern Italy to ca. 41–40 and 33 cal ka BP, respectively, or between two interstadial oscillations of the Monticchio pollen record – to which the CI and Codola tephras are physically correlated – corresponding to the Greenland interstadials 10–9 and 5. In eastern Europe, the stratigraphic and chronometric data seem to indicate an earlier appearance of the Early Upper Palaeolithic industries, which would predate of two millennia at least the overlying CI tephra. The tephrostratigraphic correlation indicates that in both regions the innovations connected with the so-called Early Upper Palaeolithic – encompassing subsistence strategy and stone tool technology – appeared and evolved during one of the most unstable climatic phases of the Last Glacial period. On this basis, the marked environmental unpredictability characterising this time-span is seen as a potential ecological factor involved in the cultural changes observed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Small-volume base-surge deposits of Astroni and Agnano–Monte Spina eruptions at Campi Flegrei consist of sets of beds formed by the passage of multiple pyroclastic density currents. Each set is made by a fining-upward sequence consisting, from base to top, of: (1) an inversely graded layer made of bombs and lapilli; (2) a finely laminated layer with wavy bedforms made of coarse ash and fine lapilli; (3) a structureless fine-ash bed. Lack of discontinuities at layer contacts allows us to hypothesize that each set of beds represents the passage of one pyroclastic density current. The sequence formed as a function of the decreasing particle transportation capability of the base surge during the waxing–sustained–waning phases of flowage. We make the simplifying assumptions that the flow, on passing from the deposition of the inversely graded layer to the deposition of the finely laminated layer, had low particle concentration, was quasi-steady and incompressible. By such assumptions, some of the equations that regulate sediment mechanics are applicable to the base surges of Campi Flegrei to reconstruct flow density and shear velocity in between the deposition of the two layers. Structural and textural features of deposits stress the importance of shear and turbulence during transportation and suggest that the turbulent boundary layer shear flow is a good approximation to such pyroclastic density currents. We used the Coles formula to reconstruct velocity as a function of flow height during the formation of the finely laminated layer of Astroni and Agnano–Monte Spina base surges. The methodology we used allows the reconstruction of flow parameters just at a particular point in time and space of base-surge evolution, and does not provide the complete picture of the flow history of pyroclastic density currents. Nevertheless, flow velocity and density data, as obtained with the proposed approach, point to dynamic pressure values that are compatible with those reported for similar currents on other volcanoes. We conclude therefore that the results obtained give approximate but helpful information on the nature of such hazardous events at Campi Flegrei. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Agnano–Monte Spina Tephra (AMST) is a complex sequence of beds generated by contrasting fragmentation and transportation dynamics. The 4.1 ka eruption was accompanied by a volcano-tectonic collapse, part of which is the present Agnano plain. The pyroclastic sequence is subdivided into members and submembers, each characterized by different lithological and sedimentological features. Plinian/subplinian fallout deposits frequently alternate with base-surge beds of phreatomagmatic origin. Analysis of lateral facies variations and vertical facies associations of correlated layers of submembers B2, D2 and E2 reveals that during some eruption phases the contrasting eruptive dynamics were almost contemporaneous. Base-surge deposits of submember B2 formed during the declining stage of a plinian column. They resulted from highly energetic and steady pyroclastic density currents that traveled long distances from the vent area and surmounted topographic obstacles such as the Posillipo hill (∼150 m) and the northern sector of the Camaldoli hill (∼250 m). Submember D2 pyroclastic density currents formed when contemporaneous fallout from an eruptive column was present. Coarse particles from the column settled throughout the pyroclastic density current, determining a significant increase of the solid load of the base surge. The consequent increase of supply rate from the transportation to the depositional zone of the base surge led to the formation of unsteady flows that could not efficiently transport the solid load and did not have the ability to travel long distances. Base-surge deposits of submember E2 were fed by a pulsating phreatomagmatic activity, which was punctuated by a short-lived fallout phase. Fallout material, which was incorporated as an additional load to the base surges, was partially transported by low-energy, steady pyroclastic density currents that traveled over the Agnano plain but did not surmount either the Camaldoli or the Posillipo hills. Only the very fine material, in continuous suspension in the upper, no-shearing part of the base-surge cloud, was dispersed higher in the atmosphere and quietly settled over a large area outside the caldera rim. The phreatomagmatic origin of base surges, which contrasts with the magmatic origin of fallout activity, suggests that the pyroclastic density currents of the Agnano–Monte Spina eruption did not result from eruption column collapses. They were most likely related to radially spreading clouds which were contemporaneous with fallout activity but issued from distinct zones in the vent area. The turbulent nature and the high expansion of base surges made them capable, under certain conditions, of passing over high topographic obstacles, with hazardous effects in distal areas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Astroni volcano formed during the third and most recent epoch of activity (4.8–3.8 ka) of the Campi Flegrei caldera (CFc). The activity of the volcano was dominated by explosive, mostly phreatomagmatic eruptions, with only subordinate lava effusions. We have grouped the sequence of deposits into seven distinct units, separated by erosional unconformities or very thin paleosols. The units include mostly surge beds, with subordinate strombolian deposits and lavas, and one plinian fallout layer. The total volume of erupted magma is 0.45 km3 (DRE), while the total mass is 1.12×1012 kg. The magma feeding the first five eruptions was alkali-trachytic and slightly zoned, while the last two eruptions tapped a magma batch resulting from mixing of the previously extruded alkali-trachytic and a less evolved trachytic magma. The volcano grew at the northwestern edge of the polygonal volcano-tectonic collapse, northwest–southeast elongated, which accompanied the Agnano–Monte Spina eruption (4.1 ka), the largest of the third epoch. Available radiometric dates and stratigraphical data constrain the age of the volcano in the final part of the 4.1–3.8 ka time span. This implies that the seven eruptions followed each other at very short time intervals. This conclusion is also supported by constancy in archaeological facies of findings within the paleosols between variable Astroni units, in the plain north of the caldera. The sequence of close eruptions in the same area, although with a slight migration of the vent from northwest to southeast, makes the Astroni volcano peculiar in the recent history of the CFc. Therefore, the definition of its history is very important in order to understand one of the past phenomenologies of the caldera, relevant elements to forecast its behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Solfatara crater is located within the Campi Flegrei caldera to the west of Naples (Italy). It is one of the largest fumarolic manifestations known, and the rocks hosting the hydrothermal system are affected by intense hydrothermal alteration. Alteration can result in changes of degassing behavior, and in the formation of a cap rock thereby increasing the probability of phreatic eruptions. Here, we investigate the effects of alunitic (solfataric) alteration on the mineralogy, the physical properties (porosity, density, permeability) and the mechanical properties (strength) of the rocks involved, as well as its influence on fragmentation and ejection behavior. Our results show that the pristine mineralogy of deposits from the vicinity of the Solfatara cryptodome and from Pisciarelli is almost completely replaced by amorphous silica and alunite. The differences in the degree of alteration among the samples series are reflected in the investigated properties and behavior as well as in the analysis of the experimentally generated particles. Alunitic alteration increases porosity and permeability, whereas it reduces density, elastic wave velocity and strength leading to higher fragmentation and ejection speeds for the sample series examined in this study. Our results also show that alteration results in the generation of a high fraction of fines (particle sizes < 10 μm) during fragmentation, mainly composed of alunite crystals. Due to their potential for inducing chronic disease, dispersion of such material should represent a serious health hazard on a local scale and the evaluation of precautions should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]