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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1306
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1306
22 May 2024
 | 22 May 2024

Revised conceptual model of the Solfatara magmatic-hydrothermal system (Campi Flegrei, Italy), time changes during the last 40 years, and prediction of future scenarios

Luigi Marini, Claudia Principe, and Matteo Lelli

Abstract. We revised the conceptual model of the Solfatara magmatic-hydrothermal system based on the results of new gas-geoindicators (Marini et al., 2022) and the available geological, volcanological, and geophysical information from surface surveys and deep geothermal wells. Using the new gas-geoindicators, we monitored the temperature and total fluid pressure over a time interval of ~40 years: (i) in the shallow reservoir (0.25–0.45 km depth), where CO equilibrates; (ii) in the intermediate reservoir (2.7–4.0 km depth), where CH4 attains equilibrium; (iii) in the deep reservoir (6.5–7.5 km depth), where H2S achieves equilibrium. From 1983 to 2022, the temperature and total fluid pressure of the shallow reservoir did not depart significantly from ~220 °C and ~25 bar, whereas remarkable, progressive increments in temperature and total fluid pressure occurred in the intermediate and deep reservoirs, with peak values of 590–620 °C and 1200–1400 bar in the intermediate reservoir and 1010–1040 °C and 3000–3200 bar in the deep reservoir, in 2020. The revised conceptual model allowed us to explain the evolution of: (a) pressurization-depressurization in the intermediate reservoir, acting as the “engine” of bradyseism, (b) time changes of total fluid pressure in the deep reservoir, working as the “on-off switch” of magmatic degassing. We also used the revised conceptual model to predict possible future scenarios in the lack of external factors.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

30 Jun 2025
Time changes during the last 40 years in the Solfatara magmatic–hydrothermal system (Campi Flegrei, Italy): new conceptual model and future scenarios
Luigi Marini, Claudia Principe, and Matteo Lelli
Solid Earth, 16, 551–578, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-551-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-551-2025, 2025
Short summary
Luigi Marini, Claudia Principe, and Matteo Lelli

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1306', Anonymous Referee #1, 12 Aug 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Matteo Lelli, 25 Aug 2024
      • RC2: 'Reply on AC1', Anonymous Referee #1, 06 Sep 2024
        • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Matteo Lelli, 07 Nov 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1306', Anonymous Referee #2, 04 Nov 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Matteo Lelli, 07 Nov 2024
  • EC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1306', Massimo Coltorti, 11 Dec 2024

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1306', Anonymous Referee #1, 12 Aug 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Matteo Lelli, 25 Aug 2024
      • RC2: 'Reply on AC1', Anonymous Referee #1, 06 Sep 2024
        • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Matteo Lelli, 07 Nov 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1306', Anonymous Referee #2, 04 Nov 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Matteo Lelli, 07 Nov 2024
  • EC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1306', Massimo Coltorti, 11 Dec 2024

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Matteo Lelli on behalf of the Authors (23 Dec 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (12 Feb 2025) by Massimo Coltorti
AR by Matteo Lelli on behalf of the Authors (28 Feb 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (04 Apr 2025) by Massimo Coltorti
ED: Publish as is (07 Apr 2025) by Andrea Di Muro (Executive editor)
AR by Matteo Lelli on behalf of the Authors (10 Apr 2025)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

30 Jun 2025
Time changes during the last 40 years in the Solfatara magmatic–hydrothermal system (Campi Flegrei, Italy): new conceptual model and future scenarios
Luigi Marini, Claudia Principe, and Matteo Lelli
Solid Earth, 16, 551–578, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-551-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-551-2025, 2025
Short summary
Luigi Marini, Claudia Principe, and Matteo Lelli
Luigi Marini, Claudia Principe, and Matteo Lelli

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Latest update: 30 Jun 2025
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Short summary
We revised the conceptual model of the Solfatara magmatic-hydrothermal system and we used new geothermometers and geobarometers, specifically calibrated for the Solfatara fluids, to monitor temperature, T, and total fluid pressure, P, in three distinct reservoirs at different depths, over ~40 years. The T, P changes in the intermediate reservoir (at 2.7–4 km depth) are of utmost interest because its pressurization-depressurization acts as the “engine” of bradyseism currently affecting the area.
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