Evidence for the buried rim of Campi Flegrei caldera from 3-d active seismic imaging

Abstract

An extended marine, active seismic survey has been performed on September, 2001 in the gulfs of Naples and Pozzuoli by recording about 5000 shots at a network of 62 sea bottom and 72 on shore seismographs. 3-D images of the shallow caldera structure are obtained from the tomographic inversion of about 77000 first P arrival times using the Benz et al. [1996] tomographic technique. The buried rim of the Campi Flegrei caldera is clearly detected at about 800-2000 m depth, as an anular high P-velocity and high density body. It has a diameter of about 8-12 km and a height of 1-2 km. According to stratigraphic and sonic log data from deep boreholes and tomographic P velocities, the rim is likely formed by solidified lavas and/or tuffs with interbedded lava. This study confirms the existence for a depressed limestone basement beneath the caldera at less than 4 km depth, while no evidence are found for shallower magmatic bodies.