Endogenous fluids and acoustic emission Volcanoes and heat flow
by
Gabriele Paparo
Istituto di Acustica O. M. Corbino (CNR)
Coauthors: Giovanni P. Gregori (Istituto di Acustica O. M. Corbino (CNR))

Provided that the “prevision” of natural catastrophes is beyond human capabilities (the main reason being that the typical time scales of natural phenomena are much longer than the temporal resolution needed by the humans), it appears definitely possible to “diagnose” the state of the natural system, and to monitor its eventual evolution towards a state of increased hazard and concern. Soil deformation is one leading parameter capable of providing us with information about the precautions that we must keep for security and a sound planning of our living buildings and facilities. Soil deformation can derive either by an external cause, propagating from its boundaries by the propagation of crustal stress, or by some endogenous hot fluids that move through the medium.

The case history of the endogenous fluids is here considered, and it is shown how acoustic emission (AE) can detect such phenomenon, and the flaws that are caused by it. Detection is exploited much prior to the occurrence of every other “macroscopic” occurrence, preceding an eventual “catastrophe” of the system. Applications are presented to a few volcanic areas (Vesuvius, Stromboli, and Peteroa), while the potential applications to geothermal areas are briefly considered. The chemistry of hot water springs can eventually provide additional relevant information to be correlated with the AE evidence.

Date received: September 6, 2004

Copyright © 2004 by the author(s). The author(s) of this document and the organizers of the conference have granted their consent to include this abstract in Atlas Conferences Inc. Document # caon-32.