Submarine Stratigraphy of the Eastern Bay of Naples: New Seismo-Stratigraphic Data and Implications for the Somma-Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei Volcanic Activity

Abstract

The submarine stratigraphy of the eastern Bay of Naples is studied through seismo-stratigraphic data correlated with borehole data. Multichannel seismic profiles are interpreted in order to reconstruct the stratigraphic relationships between the Quaternary marine seismic units and the volcanic acoustic substratum. Seven seismic units are recognized based on the geological interpretation of seismic profiles and using seismo-stratigraphic criteria. The top of the lowest seismic unit was correlated with the Campanian Ignimbrite (Southern Campania Volcanic Zone). The stratigraphic setting of the eastern Bay of Naples is characterized by NE-SW trending seismic structures, probably corresponding with tuff rings. These tuff rings can be compared with the Porto Miseno, the Archiaverno and Averno, and the Astroni tuff rings (Campi Flegrei). Offshore, the Somma-Vesuvius a seismic unit was interpreted as the fallout deposits representing the base of the AD 79 eruption. However, since a branch of the isopach of 5 m of the “Pomici di Avellino” pyroclastic deposits is very close to the Tyrrhenian coastline and near our GRNA01 and GRNA03 seismic profiles, we cannot exclude that the seismic unit could be also correlated with the deposits of this eruption.

Marine Geohazards of the Bay of Naples (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy): A Review Integrating Morpho-Bathymetric and Seismo-Stratigraphic Analysis

“…Somma, suggesting that the caldera was established in a geographic location that is comparable to today's Vesuvius edifice. However, the location of the outcrops of the "Pomici di Mercato", in correspondence with the Sebeto Plain and along the Tyrrhenian coastline, fits well with the location of a seismic unit located offshore and has been identified on seismic profiles [62]. Instead, the PCD deposits of the "Pomici di Avellino" have a maximum thickness in the western area of the volcano.…”

“…Instead, the PCD deposits of the "Pomici di Avellino" have a maximum thickness in the western area of the volcano. An important new seismic unit recognized offshore of the Somma-Vesuvius [62] has been correlated with the fallout deposits representing the base of the AD 79 eruption of the Vesuvius volcanic sequence [56][57][58][59][60][61].…”

Marine Geological Studies of the Bay of Naples (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy): Revised Applications of the Seismo-Stratigraphic Concepts and Evolving Technologies to a Late Quaternary Volcanic Area

“…The seismic profiles are located on the continental shelf of the Bay of Naples offshore of the Somma-Vesuvius volcanic complex and have been recorded through a Watergun seismic source. [41] and reinterpreted here as part of the current study). G: PDC older than the AD 79 deposits (detected on other seismic lines and shown in Aiello [41]).…”

“…The seismic stratigraphy offshore of the Somma-Vesuvius volcanic complex, as studied by several authors, is herein revised [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49]. Gravimetric data have been used to complement seismo-stratigraphic knowledge [50].…”

“…Aiello [41] has recently proposed an up-to-date seismo-stratigraphic setting offshore of the Somma-Vesuvius volcano. Figure 8 shows the main seismo-stratigraphic results.…”