Fausto Grassa

Dr. Fausto Grassa

National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Palermo, Italy
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

29Years (1998-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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23 August 2013 in Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Verified
Journal Article
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AAAlessandro Aiuppa
Alessandro Aiuppa
GTGiancarlo Tamburello
Giancarlo Tamburello
RNR. Di Napoli
R. Di Napoli
CCCarlo Cardellini
Carlo Cardellini
GCGiovanni Chiodini
Giovanni Chiodini
MPM. Pedone
M. Pedone
The fumarolic gas output has not been quantified for any of the currently deforming calderas worldwide, due to the lack of suitable gas flux sensing techniques. In view of resumption of ground uplift (since 2005) and the associated variations in gas chemistry, Campi Flegrei, in southern Italy, is one of the restless calderas where gas flux observations are especially necessary. Here we report the first ever obtained estimate of the Campi Flegrei fumarolic gas output, based on a set of MultiGAS surveys (performed in 2012 and 2013) with an ad‐hoc‐designed measurement setup. We estimate that the current Campi Flegrei fumarolic sulphur (S) flux is low, on the order of 1.5–2.2 tons/day, suggesting substantial scrubbing of magmatic S by the hydrothermal system. However, the fumarolic carbon dioxide (CO2) output is ∼460±160 tons/day (mean±SD), which is surprisingly high for a dormant volcano in the hydrothermal stage of activity, and results in a combined (fumaroles + soil) CO2 output of ∼1560 tons/day. Assuming magma to be the predominant source, we propose that the current CO2 output can be supplied by either (i) a large (0.6–4.6 km3), deeply stored (>7 km) magmatic source with low CO2 contents (0.05–0.1 wt%) or (ii) by a small to medium‐sized (∼0.01–0.1 km3) but CO2‐rich (2 wt%) magma, possibly stored at pressures of ∼100 to 120 MPa. Independent geophysical evidence (e.g., inferred from geodetic and gravity data) is needed to distinguish between these two possibilities.

1 July 2013 in Applied Geochemistry
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Journal Article
Closed access
Marcello LiottaMarcello Liotta
Marcello Liotta
Fausto GrassaFausto Grassa
Fausto Grassa
WDW. D’aLessandro
W. D’aLessandro
RFR. Favara
R. Favara
ECE. Gagliano Candela
E. Gagliano Candela
CSC. Scaletta
C. Scaletta

18 January 2018 in Geosciences
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Journal Article
Open access
MPMelissa Pfeffer
Melissa Pfeffer
BBBaldur Bergsson
Baldur Bergsson
SBSara Barsotti
Sara Barsotti
GSGerður Stefánsdóttir
Gerður Stefánsdóttir
BGBo Galle
Bo Galle
Luigi MereuLuigi Mereu
Luigi Mereu
The 2014–2015 Bárðarbunga fissure eruption at Holuhraun in central Iceland was distinguished by the high emission of gases, in total 9.6 Mt SO2, with almost no tephra. This work collates all ground-based measurements of this extraordinary eruption cloud made under particularly challenging conditions: remote location, optically dense cloud with high SO2 column amounts, low UV intensity, frequent clouds and precipitation, an extensive and hot lava field, developing ramparts, and high-latitude winter conditions. Semi-continuous measurements of SO2 flux with three scanning DOAS instruments were augmented by car traverses along the ring-road and along the lava. The ratios of other gases/SO2 were measured by OP-FTIR, MultiGAS, and filter packs. Ratios of SO2/HCl = 30–110 and SO2/HF = 30–130 show a halogen-poor eruption cloud. Scientists on-site reported extremely minor tephra production during the eruption. OPC and filter packs showed low particle concentrations similar to non-eruption cloud conditions. Three weather radars detected a droplet-rich eruption cloud. Top of eruption cloud heights of 0.3–5.5 km agl were measured with ground- and aircraft-based visual observations, web camera and NicAIR II infrared images, triangulation of scanning DOAS instruments, and the location of SO2 peaks measured by DOAS traverses. Cloud height and emission rate measurements were critical for initializing gas dispersal simulations for hazard forecasting.

1 March 2012 in Chemical Geology
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Journal Article
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TKTjaša Kanduč
Tjaša Kanduč
Nataša MoriNataša Mori
Nataša Mori
David KocmanDavid Kocman
David Kocman
VSVekoslava Stibilj
Vekoslava Stibilj
Fausto GrassaFausto Grassa
Fausto Grassa

16 March 2015 in Geophysical Research Letters
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Journal Article
Open access
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Andrea L. RizzoAndrea L. Rizzo
Andrea L. Rizzo
CFCinzia Federico
Cinzia Federico
SISalvatore Inguaggiato
Salvatore Inguaggiato
ASAldo Sollami
Aldo Sollami
MTMariano Tantillo
Mariano Tantillo
MLMarco Liuzzo
Marco Liuzzo
A new eruption started at Stromboli on 6 August 2014, which had been preceded by 2 months of increased Strombolian activity and several lava overflows from the craters. The eruption was characterized by a lava effusion in Sciara del Fuoco from a fracture at 650 m above sea level that lasted until 13–17 November. Here we present the first geochemical observations of this eruption, based on the soil CO2 flux in the summit area and on 3He/4He ratios in the thermal waters near Stromboli village. We infer that this eruption was triggered by the gradual replenishment of the feeding system by a CO2‐ and 3He‐rich magma at the end of 2013 and after June 2014, suggested by the increase in 3He/4He ratio before eruption, which reached its highest value since 2007. We thus infer that this eruption was unusual, and we finally speculate on the evolutionary scenario of posteruption.

1 January 2001 in Applied Geochemistry
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
RFR Favara
R Favara
Fausto GrassaFausto Grassa
Fausto Grassa
SISalvatore Inguaggiato
Salvatore Inguaggiato
MVM Valenza
M Valenza