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S14 - Hydrothermal alteration in active and extinct volcanic systems: integrated approach, outcomes and perspectives

Monica Piochi*, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Osservatorio Vesuviano, Napoli, Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo.
Angela Mormone, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Osservatorio Vesuviano, Napoli, Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo.
Teresa Caputo, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Osservatorio Vesuviano, Napoli, Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo.
Patrizia Contursi, Università “Federico II”, Dipartimento di Biologia, Napoli, Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo.

(*corresponding)

 Hydrothermal alteration produces mineralogical, chemical, mechanical and geotechnical changes of the pristine rocks, affecting stability and dynamics of volcanically, geothermally and biologically active systems.
The effects of alteration are recorded in the mineral neogenesis, rock composition and isotope geochemistry, thus their characterization allows defining the alteration degree with the underlying physico-chemical conditions and the associated rock strength response that are essential in the assessment of volcanic and environmental hazards. On the other hand, hydrothermal systems also offer the opportunity to exploit minerals of economic interest, and their properties can be harnessed to produce energy and/or ore deposits exploitation. Furthermore, hydrothermal systems include microorganisms with such exceptional adaptive capabilities to conditions typically fatal to most life on the Earth that they are target in biotechnology and astronomy.
We invite researchers conducting studies ranging from mineralogy, petrology to geochemistry, with laboratory, field and modeling experiments, to share strategy and outcomes to deepen the knowledge of hydrothermal systems, i.e., the complex fluid-rock dynamics, the ascending vs. infiltrating processes, the alteration-induced instabilities, and the economic opportunities. Contributions are extended to studies encompassing both biotic and abiotic aspects. Investigations based on an integrated approach and focused on hydrothermal-related hazards at active volcanic systems are welcomed.