Maurizio Battaglia

Bio: Maurizio Battaglia is an academic researcher from Sapienza University of Rome. The author has contributed to research in topics: Volcano & Caldera. The author has an hindex of 22, co-authored 57 publications receiving 1915 citations. Previous affiliations of Maurizio Battaglia include University of California, Berkeley & University of Göttingen.

Evidence for fluid migration as the source of deformation at Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy)

Abstract: [1] We model the location, geometry and density of the source of the recent geological unrest at Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy) by inverting levelling, trilateration and gravity measurements collected between 1980 and 1995. The best fitting source for the 1980–84 inflation is a horizontal penny-shaped crack with a density 142 to 1115 kg/m3. The source best fitting the deflation period (1990–95) is a vertical spheroid with density between 902 and 1015 kg/m3. These results exclude the intrusion of magma, and indicate the migration of fluid to and from the caldera hydrothermal system as the cause of ground deformation and consequent unrest.

The Adriatic region: An independent microplate within the Africa-Eurasia collision zone

Abstract: [1] We use GPS measurements and block modeling to investigate the present-day deformation of the Adriatic region, whose kinematics within the Nubia-Eurasia plate boundary zone is not well constrained and remains controversial. Block modeling allows us to compute rigid-plate angular velocities while accounting for elastic strain accumulation along block-bounding faults. Results suggest that the Adriatic is a microplate (Adria) and that the southern boundary with the Nubia plate and the Aegean domain may be located along the Apulia Escarpment and the Kefallinia fault. Geodetic data alone cannot discriminate between a single block (AP) or a two blocks (GDAP) description of Adria, but the GDAP model predicts boundary slip rates that are in better agreement with observations from previous studies.

The Adriatic region: an independent microplate within the Africa-Eurasia collision zone

Abstract: [1] We use GPS measurements and block modeling to investigate the present-day deformation of the Adriatic region, whose kinematics within the Nubia-Eurasia plate boundary zone is not well constrained and remains controversial. Block modeling allows us to compute rigid-plate angular velocities while accounting for elastic strain accumulation along block-bounding faults. Results suggest that the Adriatic is a microplate (Adria) and that the southern boundary with the Nubia plate and the Aegean domain may be located along the Apulia Escarpment and the Kefallinia fault. Geodetic data alone cannot discriminate between a single block (AP) or a two blocks (GDAP) description of Adria, but the GDAP model predicts boundary slip rates that are in better agreement with observations from previous studies.

4D volcano gravimetry

Abstract: Time-dependentgravimetricmeasurementscandetectsubsurface processes long before magma flow leads to earthquakes or othereruptionprecursors.Theabilityofgravitymeasurementsto detect subsurface mass flow is greatly enhanced if gravity measurements are analyzed and modeled with ground-deformation data. Obtaining the maximum information from microgravity studies requires careful evaluation of the layout of network benchmarks, the gravity environmental signal, and the coupling betweengravitychangesandcrustaldeformation.Whenchanges in the system under study are fast hours to weeks, as in hydrothermal systems and restless volcanoes, continuous gravity observationsatselectedsitescanhelptocapturemanydetailsofthe dynamics of the intrusive sources. Despite the instrumental effects, mainly caused by atmospheric temperature, results from monitoring at Mt. Etna volcano show that continuous measurementsareapowerfultoolformonitoringandstudyingvolcanoes. Several analytical and numerical mathematical models can beusedtofitgravityanddeformationdata.Analyticalmodelsofferaclosed-formdescriptionofthevolcanicsource.Inprinciple, this allows one to readily infer the relative importance of the source parameters. In active volcanic sites such as Long Valley caldera California, U.S.A. and Campi Flegrei Italy, careful use of analytical models and high-quality data sets has produced good results. However, the simplifications that make analytical modelstractablemightresultinmisleadingvolcanologicalinterpretations, particularly when the real crust surrounding the sourceisfarfromthehomogeneous/isotropicassumption.Using numericalmodelsallowsconsiderationofmorerealisticdescriptions of the sources and of the crust where they are located e.g., vertical and lateral mechanical discontinuities, complex source geometries, and topography. Applications at Teide volcano Tenerifeand Campi Flegrei demonstrate the importance of this morerealisticdescriptioningravitycalculations.

VALIDITY OF CUBIC LAW FOR FLUID FLOW IN A DEFORMABLE ROCK FRACTURE - eScholarship

Abstract: The validity of the cubic law for laminar flow of fluids through open fractures consisting of parallel planar plates has been established by others over a wide range of conditions with apertures ranging down to a minimum of 0.2 µm. The law may be given in simplified form by Q/Δh = C(2b)3, where Q is the flow rate, Δh is the difference in hydraulic head, C is a constant that depends on the flow geometry and fluid properties, and 2b is the fracture aperture. The validity of this law for flow in a closed fracture where the surfaces are in contact and the aperture is being decreased under stress has been investigated at room temperature by using homogeneous samples of granite, basalt, and marble. Tension fractures were artificially induced, and the laboratory setup used radial as well as straight flow geometries. Apertures ranged from 250 down to 4µm, which was the minimum size that could be attained under a normal stress of 20 MPa. The cubic law was found to be valid whether the fracture surfaces were held open or were being closed under stress, and the results are not dependent on rock type. Permeability was uniquely defined by fracture aperture and was independent of the stress history used in these investigations. The effects of deviations from the ideal parallel plate concept only cause an apparent reduction in flow and may be incorporated into the cubic law by replacing C by C/ƒ. The factor ƒ varied from 1.04 to 1.65 in these investigations. The model of a fracture that is being closed under normal stress is visualized as being controlled by the strength of the asperities that are in contact. These contact areas are able to withstand significant stresses while maintaining space for fluids to continue to flow as the fracture aperture decreases. The controlling factor is the magnitude of the aperture, and since flow depends on (2b)3, a slight change in aperture evidently can easily dominate any other change in the geometry of the flow field. Thus one does not see any noticeable shift in the correlations of our experimental results in passing from a condition where the fracture surfaces were held open to one where the surfaces were being closed under stress.

A new method for measuring deformation on volcanoes and other natural terrains using InSAR persistent scatterers

Abstract: [1] We present here a new InSAR persistent scatterer (PS) method for analyzing episodic crustal deformation in non-urban environments, with application to volcanic settings. Our method for identifying PS pixels in a series of interferograms is based primarily on phase characteristics and finds low-amplitude pixels with phase stability that are not identified by the existing amplitude-based algorithm. Our method also uses the spatial correlation of the phases rather than a well-defined phase history so that we can observe temporally-variable processes, e.g., volcanic deformation. The algorithm involves removing the residual topographic component of flattened interferogram phase for each PS, then unwrapping the PS phases both spatially and temporally. Our method finds scatterers with stable phase characteristics independent of amplitudes associated with man-made objects, and is applicable to areas where conventional InSAR fails due to complete decorrelation of the majority of scatterers, yet a few stable scatterers are present.

Interpretation Theory in Applied Geophysics Grant (McGraw-Hill, 140s.)

Abstract: Interpretation theory in applied geophysics: Grant, F S ... Interpretation theory in applied geophysics Unknown Binding – January 1, 1965 5.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating. See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions. The Amazon Book Review Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now. Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a ...