Sedimentologic and volcanologic investigation of the deep tyrrhenian sea: preliminary result of cruise VST02

Abstract

The VST02 cruise carried out in the summer of 2002 focused on sedimentologic and volcanologic research over selected areas of the deep portion of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Chirp lines and seafloor samples were collected from the Calabrian slope surrounding Stromboli Island, in the Marsili deep-sea fan, in the Vavilov Basin and in the Vavilov seamount. Submarine volcanic activity, both explosive and effusive, is occurring in the Stromboli edifice. Explosive submarine volcanism also affects the shallowest areas of the Vavilov seamount. Submarine carbonate lithification has been observed on the sediment-starved flanks of the Vavilov seamount. Acoustic transparent layers make up the recentmost infill of the Gortani Basin, the easternmost portion of the Vavilov Basin. Channels comprised of a variety of architectural elements and depositional lobes are the main elements of the Marsili deep-sea fan where, apparently, sedimentation occurs mainly through debris flow processes.

Morpho-sedimentary characteristics of the volcaniclastic apron around Stromboli volcano (Italy)

“…3d), or as isolated features on the submarine flanks, unrelated to the present-day island morphology (for instance, Casoni parasitic center in Fig. 1, see also : Gamberi et al, 2006;Bosman et al, 2009).…”

“…The main input to the volcaniclastic apron is from mass-wasting deposits; however, other minor sources are: a) subaerial eruptive activity, whose coarse-grained products are mainly funnelled within Sciara del Fuoco depression and canyon, while fine-grained tephras are dispersed elsewhere by means of the prevailing winds and marine currents; b) submarine eruptions, as witnessed by the recent finding of a wide pillow lava field on the northern base of Strombolicchio edifice (Di Roberto et al, 2008) and of several eccentric vents on the south-western flank (Gamberi et al, 2006;Bosman et al 2009;Tibaldi et al, 2009); c) subaerial weathering, cliff erosion and slope failures at different scales; d) hemipelagic sedimentation, draping morphological highs and being more prevalent downslope, in areas not affected by density currents.…”