Enzo Boschi

• Professor of Geophysics
• Professor at University of Bologna

This work arises from the field observations made during the civil protection emergency period connected to the 2007 Stromboli eruption. We observed changes in the shallow feeding system of the volcano to which we give a volcanological interpretation and the relative implications. Here we describe the processes occurred in the upper feeding system...

Lava effusion — A slow fuse for paroxysms at Stromboli volcano? The 2007 effusive eruption of Stromboli followed a similar pattern to the previous 2002–2003 episode. In both cases, magma ascent led to breaching of the uppermost part of the conduit forming an eruptive fissure that discharged lava down the Sciara del Fuoco depression. Both eruptions...

Etna volcano is characterized by frequent effusive eruptions from the summit craters or from flank fissures, and these have often threatened villages, infrastructures and tourist facilities. Considerable experience of lava-flow mitigation has been gained by scientists working on this volcano, and in this paper we principally discuss the problems ar...

The study of the health of a building connects humanistic and scientific research, and a complete characterization can be achieved by integrating all the available historical documentation, architectural and metrological studies, as well as laboratory and in situ analyses of the materials. A contactless, non-invasive surveying technique such as ter...

Here we inverted the GPS data to infer the coseismic slip of the Tohoku-Oki earthquake and the time-dependent afterslip distribution in the 4 months following the mainshock. The Tohoku-Oki earthquake showed an unex- pected magnitude and a characteristic depth-dependent differentiation of seismic energy radiation. In this context the estimation and...

Here we inverted the GPS data to infer the coseismic slip of the Tohoku-Oki earthquake and the time-dependent afterslip distribution in the 4 months following the mainshock. The Tohoku-Oki earthquake showed an unexpected magnitude and a characteristic depth-dependent differentiation of seismic energy radiation. In this context the estimation and co...

We estimate the corner frequencies of 20 crustal seismic events from mainshock–aftershock sequences in different tectonic environments (mainshocks 5.7 < M W < 7.6) using the well-established seismic coda ratio technique (Mayeda et al. in Geophys Res Lett 34:L11303, 2007; Mayeda and Malagnini in Geophys Res Lett, 2010), which provides optimal stabil...

In recent decades, the worldwide demand for energy has been increasing, with an associated rise in CO2 emissions being observed. In such conditions, the development of “low carbon energy technologies” and strategic energy-mix plans is necessary, and an evaluation of the underground energy potential may be a useful step in developing these plans. Th...

We estimate seismological fracture energies from two subsets of events selected from the seismic sequences of L’Aquila (2009), and Northridge (1994): 57 and 16 selected events, respectively, including the main shocks. Following Abercrombie and Rice (Geophys J Int 162: 406–424, 2005), we postulate that fracture energy (G) represents the post-failure...

I have been sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment for failing to give adequate advance warning to the population of L'Aquila, a city in the Abruzzo region of Italy, about the risk of the 6 April 2009 earthquake that led to 309 deaths. I have been found guilty despite illogical charges and accusations

The mainshock and moderateu2010magnitude aftershocks of the 6 April 2009 M 6.3 Lu2019Aquila seismic sequence, about 90 km northeast of Rome, provided the first earthquake groundu2010motion recordings in the urban area of Rome. Before those recordings were obtained, the assessments of the seismic hazard in Rome were based on intensity observations a...

Monitoring damaged buildings in an area where an earthquake has occurred requires the use of techniques which provide rapid and safe measurements even in emergency conditions. In particular, remote sensing techniques like terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) can satisfy these requirements, since they produce very dense point clouds in little time and a...

The 15 March 2007 Vulcanian paroxysm at Stromboli volcano was recorded by several instruments that allowed describing the eruptive sequence and unravelling the processes in the upper feeding system. Among the devices installed on the island, two borehole strainmeters recorded unique signals not fully explored before. Here we present an analysis of...

We discuss the geodetic aspects and some physical features of the interior of Venus. The pressure, density, and temperature distributions are estimated. The gravity anomalies caused by convection currents, topography, and other effects are then estimated. We conclude that the tesseral harmonics of the field could be twice those found on the earth.

In densely populated countries there is a growing and compelling need to use underground for different and possibly coexisting technologies to produce “low carbon” energy. These technologies include (i) clean coal combustion merged with CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS); (ii) last-generation nuclear power or, in any case, safe nuclear wastes disposal,...

In their long comment on Stucchi et al. (2011), Mucciarelli and Albarello (2012) propose opinions on aspects of the study that have been discussed and reviewed in countless cir-cumstances in Italy and internationally, from the very beginning (2003) to the end (2009) of our research. We have the feeling that Mucciarelli and Albarello fail to recogni...

1] Inadequate seismic design codes can be dangerous, particularly when they underestimate the true hazard. In this study we use data from a sequence of moderate-sized earthquakes in northeast Italy to validate and test a regional wave propagation model which, in turn, is used to under-stand some weaknesses of the current design spectra. Our velocit...

a b s t r a c t The 15 March, 2007 Vulcanian paroxysm at Stromboli volcano was recorded by several instruments that allowed description of the eruptive sequence and unraveling the processes in the upper feeding system. Among the devices installed on the island, two borehole strainmeters recorded unique signals not fully explored before. Here we pre...

With the goal of constructing a homogeneous data set of moment magnitudes (Mw) to be used for seismic hazard assessment, we compared Mw estimates from moment tensor catalogues available online. We found an apparent scaling disagreement between Mw estimates from the National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) of the US Geological Survey and from t...

We present a strategy for obtaining fault-based maximum observable shaking (MOS) maps, which represent an innovative concept for assessing deterministic seismic ground motion at a regional scale. Our approach uses the fault sources supplied for Italy by the Database of Individual Seismogenic Sources, and particularly by its composite seismogenic so...

The recent M w 6.3 destructive L'Aquila earthquake has further stimu-lated the improvement of the Italian operational earthquake forecasting capability at different time intervals. Here, we describe a medium-term (10-year) forecast model for M w ≥ 5:5 earthquakes in Italy that aims at opening new possibilities for risk mi-tigation purposes. While a...

The dispersion index (dσ) of topography is introduced. This index is a geomorphic parameter which characterizes each point of topography with respect to the stability/instability of the steepest descent path (SDP) originating from it. The procedure for calculating dσ is based on the assessment of SDP variations as the initial topography is also var...

1] On 7 September 2008 a major ash explosion occurred from the SW summit crater of Stromboli volcano. This explosive event lasted $2 min and consisted of three discrete eruptive pulses, forming an eruptive ash cloud $500–600 m high and $300 m wide, rising with speed of 20–27 m s À1 . The event was recorded by our camera and seismic networks, as wel...

Many volcanic eruptions are shortly preceded by injection of new magma into a pre-existing, shallow (<10 km) magma chamber, causing convection and mixing between the incoming and resident magmas. These processes may trigger dyke propagation and further magma rise, inducing long-term (days to months) volcano deformation, seismic swarms, gravity anom...

Although characterized by low seismicity, the Monferrato area of north-western Italy was affected by earthquakes, of magnitude M5.1 and M4.8, in 2000 and 2001. At the same time, marked changes were recorded in water temperature and chemistry in several wells within the epicentral area. In May 2004, an automatic network for the continuous monitoring...

p>La disciplina del restauro costituisce un ponte di collegamento fra le materie di carattere umanistico e quelle di carattere tecnico che si integrano le une alle altre nell’obiettivo comune di perpetuare i valori storici e architettonici di cui il monumento è depositario. Uno studio completo non può che essere effettuato mediante l’applicazione e...

I sistemi laser a scansione terrestre caratterizzati da una lunga portata, cioè capaci di rilevare su distanze fino a 3 km, sono oggi sempre più utilizzati nel monitoraggio del territorio e nel controllo del dissesto o, in generale, delle variazioni morfologiche. Laser scanning survey of landslides by means of long distance ILRIS LRTerrestrial lase...

A continuous global positioning system station (CGPS) provides accurate coordinate time series, while episodic GPS stations (EGPSs), which operate throughout short measurement sessions, are generally used to improve the monitoring spatial density. In an urban environment, EGPSs are typically equipped with removable mounts (topographical tripod or b...

This paper describes a scientific approach aimed at studying the ancient part of Palazzo d’Accursio (Bologna, Italy), a masonry building which is part of the Italian cultural heritage. Laser scanning and the inspection of digital images are used to detect traces of restoration works and other interesting features related to both architectural marks...

The morphometry of a great number of scoria cones, belonging to volcanic fields of various geodynamic settings, has been measured and analyzed, addressing the question whether there is a relation between the prevalent cone shape in a given field and the geodynamic setting of the field itself. Morphometric analysis was carried out on freely download...

Cameroon is one of the most active effusive volcanoes in Africa. About 500,000 people living or working around its fertile flanks are subject to significant threat from lava flow inundation. Lava flow hazard and risk were assessed by simulating probable lava flow paths using the DOWNFLOW code. The vent opening probability density function and lava...

1] Inadequate seismic design codes can be dangerous, particularly when they underestimate the true hazard. In this study we use data from a sequence of moderate-sized earthquakes in northeast Italy to validate and test a regional wave propagation model which, in turn, is used to understand some weaknesses of the current design spectra. Our velocity...

We have investigated the possible cause-and-effect relationship between two earthquakes occurred in the East coast of South New Zealand in September 2010 and in February 2011 due to stress transfer. The Mw 7.1 Darfield earthquake (first event) occurred along a previously unrecognized east-west fault line, the strike-slip Greendale fault. The Mw 6.3...

Geophysical (tilt, seismic tremor and gravity signals), geochemical (crater SO2 flux) and infrared satellite measurements are presented and discussed to track the temporal evolution of the lava fountain episode occurring at Mt Etna volcano on 10 April 2011. The multi-disciplinary approach provides insight into a gas-rich magma source trapped in a s...

Significant changes in the local magnetic field marked the resumption of eruptive activity at Stromboli volcano on February 27, 2007. After differential magnetic fields were obtained by filtering out external noise using adaptive filters and seasonal thermal noise using temperature data, we identified step-like changes of 1–4nT coincident with the...

INGV INGV The last century was dominated by the creation of scientific theories: the new-born Relativistic, Quantum and Cosmological Theories are proper examples. The Earth Sciences followed this trend by proposing the principles of Plate tectonics. On the contrary, the concept of the Expanding Earth was not developed as a commonly accepted paradig...

We have investigated the possible cause-and-effect relationship due to stress transfer between two earthquakes that occurred near Christchurch, New Zealand, in September 2010 and in February 2011. The Mw 7.1 Darfield (Canterbury) event took place along a previously unrecognized fault. The Mw 6.3 Christchurch earthquake, generated by a thrust fault,...

Supplementary material

Il rumore sismico ambientale è l’insieme delle piccole vibrazioni sismiche presenti ovunque sulla

In this study we present a collection of high quality S wave splitting measurements in the southern Italy subduction system. We analyzed 76 deep earthquakes located within the descending slab using the method of Silver and Chan (1991) to determine the splitting parameters phi and delay t. The local deep earthquakes allow us to analyze raypaths prim...

This paper describes the probabilistic assessment of seismic hazard (PSHA) of Italy in view of the building codes from 2003 to 2009. A code was issued in 2003 as a Prime Minister Ordinance, requiring that a PSHA for updating the seismic zoning would be performed in one year, in terms of horizontal peak ground accel-eration (PGA) with 10% probabilit...

A broadband seismograph network can provide valuable information for the study of a complex area such as the Mediterranean. Besides enabling the detailed study of source processes, the network also supplies fundamental data for analyzing lithospheric and asthenospheric structure. These are the two main goals considered when planning the Med Net net...

The deployment of modern digital seismic networks is changing the seismological practice of estimating the earthquake size and source geometry. Here we discuss applications and limitations of the principal parameters used in quantifying earthquakes: magnitude, fault plane solutions and moment tensors. We present a method for the rapid determination...

A cumulative frequency-magnitude relation, the Gutenberg-Richter law, dominates the statistics of the occurrence of earthquakes. Although it is an empirical law, some authors have tried to give some physical meaning to its a and b parameters. Here, we recall some theoretical expressions for the probability of occurrence of an earthquake with magnit...

In this paper the efficiency of the GLOBK (MIT property) software for data adjustment and stabilization is described using the GPS network solutions from different standards for data processing. The high performances provided using the GLOBK allow the achievement of several tasks, even if a simple and economic modern PC is used, characterized by me...

a b s t r a c t One of the most promising options to stabilize and reduce the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases is Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). This technique consists of separating CO 2 from other industrial flue gases and storing it in geological reservoirs, such as deep saline aquifers, depleted oil and/or gas fields, and unmina...

The 2007 effusive eruption of Stromboli followed a similar pattern to the previous 2002–2003 episode. In both cases, magma ascent led to breaching of the uppermost part of the conduit forming an eruptive fissure that discharged lava down the Sciara del Fuoco depression. Both eruptions also displayed a ‘paroxysmal’ explosive event during lava flow o...

The need of regional strategic planning for underground reservoir use in densely populated countries: synergies and the conflicting issues of deep geothermics exploitation, storing CO 2 , natural gas and nuclear waste. The problem of public perception and risk assessment by Fedora QUATTROCCHI, Enzo BOSCHI, Angelo SPENA, Mauro BUTTINELLI, Barbara CA...

Since 1997 we maintain and systematically update the European–Mediterranean Regional Centroid Moment Tensor (RCMT) catalog, which contains seismic-moment tensors for earthquakes with moderate magnitude (4.5 < M < 5.5) in the Mediterranean and European regions. We present 354 new solutions for the period 2005–2008. The Catalog now spans 12 years and...

The Asinelli and Garisenda towers are the main symbols of the city of Bologna (Italy). These leaning towers, whose heights are about 97 and 48 m respectively, were built during the early 12th century and are two of the few surviving ones from about 100 tall medieval buildings that once characterized the city. Therefore, they are part of the Italian...

1] Between 2007 and early 2008, the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) monitoring networks on Etna volcano recorded a recharging phase that climaxed with a new effusive eruption on 13 May 2008 and lasted about 14 months. A dike‐forming intrusion was accompanied by a violent seismic swarm, with more than 230 events recorded in the...

Twelve anomalous layers, marked by a high concentration of displaced epiphytic foraminifera (species growing in vegetated substrates like the Posidonia oceanica) and subtle grain-size changes were found in a 6.7 m long, fine sediment core (MS-06), sampled 2 km off the shore of the Augusta Harbor (Eastern Sicily) at a depth of 72 m, recording the pa...

We analysed the time evolution of the decay parameters of the L’Aquila aftershock sequence, neglecting spatial variability. During the first two months after the main shock, the sequence showed quite unusual properties: a particularly slow decay of the aftershock rate that progressively accelerated and a very scarce sensitivity to the occurrence of...

Basaltic volcanoes, though fed with low-viscosity magma, occasionally produce sudden paroxysmal explosions that are unforecasted and whose triggering mechanism remains poorly elucidated. Here we report on the first detection of seismic signals precursory to such an explosion on 5 April 2003, at Stromboli volcano (Italy). This strongest event in the...

eruptive episode at Etna volcano occurred after several months of increasing ash emissions from the summit craters, and was heralded by increasing SO 2 output, which peaked at ∼5000 megagrams/day several hours before the start of the eruptive activity. The eruptive episode began with a phase of Strombolian activity from a pit crater on the eastern...

The Mw 8.8 mega-thrust earthquake and tsunami that occurred on 27 February 2010 offshore the Maule region, Chile, was not unexpected. A clearly identified seismic gap existed in an area where tectonic loading has been accumulating since the great 1835 earthquake. Here we jointly invert tsunami and geodetic data to derive a robust model for the cose...

A multidisciplinary geological and compositional investigation allowed us to reconstruct the occurrence of flank eruptions on the lower NE flank of Stromboli volcano since 15ka. The oldest flank eruption recognised is Roisa, which occurred at ~15ka during the Vancori period, and has transitional compositional characteristics between the Vancori and...

This paper is concerned with the plane strain in a theory for an arbitrary, uniformly rotating, self-gravitating, perfectly elastic Earth model with a hydrostatic initial stress field. Using the associated matrices method, a representation of Galerkin type is given. This representation enables us to derive the solution of the vibration problem corr...

This paper is concerned with a reciprocity theorem and a variational theorem in the linear theory of viscoelastic porous media in t h e quasi-static case.

Because of the similarity between the equations of motion governing infinitesimal vibration due to a small perturbing force superimposed on an already existing state of finite stress and the equations of linear anisotropic elasticity, methods of analysis used in one may be extended to the second. In particular, in this paper, the technique of ray e...

Influences of distant earthquakes on volcanic systems by dynamic stress transfer are well documented. We analyzed seismic signals and volcanic activity at Mount Etna during two periods, January 2006 and May 2008, that clearly showed variations coincident with distant earthquakes. In the first period, characterized by mild volcano activity, the effe...

The 2001 and 2002–2003 flank eruptions on Mount Etna (Italy) were characterized by intense explosive activity which led to the formation of two large monogenetic scoria cones (one from each eruption) on the upper southern flank of the volcano. Continuous monitoring of Etna, especially during flank eruptions, has provided detailed information on the...

The amount of energy radiated from an earthquake, measured using recent methods based on earthquake coda signals and spectral ratios, is not altered by either site or directivity effects, with the advantage of a greatly improved accuracy. For all the 18 different earthquake sequences analyzed in the present study, the moment-to-energy relationship...

We present a collection of high quality S-wave splitting measurements in the Southern Italy subduction system. We analyzed deep earthquakes that occurred within the descending slab to determine the splitting parameters phi and deltat. The local deep earthquakes allowed us to analyze ray-paths primarily sampling the slab and the wedge above it. Main...

The MW 8.8 mega-thrust earthquake and tsunami that occurred on February 27, 2010, offshore Maule region, Chile, didn't come unexpected. A clearly identified seismic gap existed in an area where tectonic loading was accumulating since the last Mw~8.5 earthquake in 1835. Did this earthquake fill the gap, decreasing the probability for a future shock?...

A 14-year-long microgravity data set (October 1994 to September 2007) collected along a 24-km east-west trending profile of 19 stations was analyzed to detect underground mass redistributions related to the volcanic activity involving the southern flank of Mt Etna (Italy). A multiresolution wavelet analysis was applied to separate the volcano-relat...

Application of light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technology in volcanology has developed rapidly over the past few years, being extremely useful for the generation of high‐spatial‐resolution digital elevation models and for mapping eruption products. However, LIDAR can also be used to yield detailed information about the dynamics of lava movement...

We use Global Positioning System (GPS) velocities and dislocation modeling to investigate the rate and nature of interseismic strain accumulation in the area affected by the 1908 Mw 7.1 Messina earthquake (southern Italy) within the framework of the complex central Mediterranean microplate kinematics. Our data confirm a change in the velocity trend...

A simple linear relation can be used to link time averaged discharge rate (TADR) and lava flow area (A). The relation applies to given insulation conditions, as described by the characteristic flow surface temperature (Te), and will vary from case-to-case depending on rheological and topographic influences on flow spreading. Most flows have insulat...

SUMMARYA procedure, based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) for high-resolution geodetic data inversion, was developed to estimate non-uniform slip distribution during the 2002 September 22 M3.7 earthquake rupture occurring only one month before the 2002–2003 eruption of Etna volcano. FEM-generated synthetic Green's functions are combined with an...

- By means of the dislocation theory, an explanation is found for the antientropic process of microcracking-macrocracking transition in the shear fracture initial propagation.

- WE derive the Gruneisen's gamma as a function of temperature and pressure for liquid iron at the temperature and pressures of the Earth's outer core taking into account the anharmonic and electronic contributions in a self-consistent way. We obtain numerical values definetely different from those generally quoted in the geophysical literature, bu...

SUMMARY - The equations of motion for a pre-stressed, self-gravitating, thermo-viscolastic Earth model undergoing a dislocation are solved through a normal mode expansion of the displacement field. The non-hermiticity of the involved convolution operator is shown not to allow the stress relaxation to be included in the model stress. Accordingly, th...

We herein describe new methods for computing the quantitative parameters of earthquakes using macroseismic data and the uncertainties associated with these parameters. The methods allow for the location of epicenters that are offshore or that have no intensities assigned to any points in the epicentral region by maximizing the likelihood function o...

Elasto-plastic models for pressure sources in heterogeneous domain were constructed to describe, assess, and interpret observed deformation in volcanic regions. We used the Finite Element Method (FEM) to simulate the deformation in a 3D domain partitioned to account for the volcano topography and the heterogeneous material properties distribution....

A new 2D/3D Lagrangian particle model (named LPAC) for the dynamics of clasts ejected during explosive eruptions is presented. The novelty of the model lies in the one-way coupling of the carrier flow field, given by a Eulerian multiphase flow code, and the particles. The model is based on a simplification of the Basset-Boussinesq-Oseen equation, e...

A strike-slip plate boundary is considered with non-uniform strength. Depth-dependent slip on the fault surface is assumed to occur aseismically in the lower fault section, in response to a basal shear stress, and seismically in the brittle upper section. The upper fault section acts as a barrier, preventing aseismic slip from reaching shallower de...

The amount of energy radiated from an earthquake can be measured using recent methods based on earthquake coda signals and spectral ratios. Such methods are not altered by either site or directivity effects, with the advantage of a greatly improved accuracy. Several studies of earthquake sequences based on the aforementioned measurements showed evi...

The present paper reports the occurrence of Polyonyx gibbesi in Argentinean shelf waters and extends its distribution southwards in the western Atlantic. Forty-four specimens of P. gibbesi were found in stomach contents of the narrownose smoothhound shark Mustelus schmitti during November 2008.

We studied the stress effects of the topography load on dike propagation. Firstly, we considered the results from analogue experiments; secondly, we refined the results by applying numerical simulations using the finite element method (FEM) in order to also consider the medium rheology and the real topography. The numerical analysis shows how the s...

Magma chambers, or zones of temporary residence of magma beneath volcanoes, are the site of intense physical and chemical processes that may deeply modify magma composition and properties and create the conditions for a new eruption. Several evidences show that volcanic eruptions are commonly preceded and accompanied by new magma injection into a p...

We studied the stress effects of the topography load on dike propagation by considering the results from analogue experiments; in addition, we refined the results by applying numerical simulations using the finite element method (FEM) in order to also consider the medium rheology and real topography. We investigated the dike deflection observed dur...

Using thermal infrared images recorded by a permanent thermal camera network maintained on Stromboli volcano (Italy), together with satellite and helicopter-based thermal image surveys, we have compiled a chronology of the events and processes occurring before and during Stromboli's 2007 effusive eruption. These digital data also allow us to calcul...

Hydrothermal alteration may weaken volcanic rocks, causing the gravitational instability of portions of active volcanoes with potentially hazardous collapses. Here we show high‐resolution multibeam, magnetic and gravity surveys of the Marsili seamount, the largest active volcano of Europe located in the southern Tyrrhenian back‐arc basin. These sur...

On 2009 April 6, the Central Apennines were hit by an Mw = 6.3 earthquake. The region had been shaken since 2008 October by seismic activity that culminated in two foreshocks with Mw > 4, 1 week and a few hours before the main shock. We computed seismic moment tensors for 26 events with Mw between 3.9 and 6.3, using the Regional Centroid Moment Ten...

In 1995, we published the first release of the Catalogo dei Forti Terremoti in Italia, 461 a.C. - 1980, in Italian (Boschi et al., 1995). Two years later this was followed by a second release, again in Italian, that included more earthquakes, more accurate research and a longer time span (461 B.C. to 1990) (Boschi et al., 1997). Aware that the reco...