Lucian Besutiu | Institute of Geodynamics of Romanian Academy (original) (raw)

Papers by Lucian Besutiu

Research paper thumbnail of Cercetări complexe, geofizice şi biogeofizice, pentru elaborarea unui model al circulaţiei apelor subterane din zona masivului de sare de la slănic Prahova - România

Research paper thumbnail of Radon implication in life and earth science: Băiţa-Ştei area and Peceneaga-Camena fault (Romania)

Research paper thumbnail of Recent Dynamics of East Romanian Fault Zones Produced by 3C Micro Seismic Screenings

4th Congress of the Balkan Geophysical Society, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Some considerations on the gravity system of Romania

Bulletin D Information Bureau Gravimetrique International, 2001

As a former socialist country, Romania faces several problems in joining the European Union. One ... more As a former socialist country, Romania faces several problems in joining the European Union. One of them is the integration of the Romanian gravity standard into the gravity system of European Community Within the last decade of the XX-th century, two absolute gravity campaigns on the Romanian territory provided the opportunity for this integration. A slight difference, of about two tenths of milligals, was revealed between gravity datum provided by USNIMA and UNIGRACE campaigns. Gravity ties between UNIGRACE absolute gravity sites and base stations of the Romanian gravity reference networks generally showed a good agreement between both Romania gravity datum or calibrating scale, and the gravity system of EC. Therefore, it is expected that the re-adjustment of the Romanian gravity reference networks constrained by the UNIGRACE data will provide small alterations only.

Research paper thumbnail of Density and magnetic architecture of the Gurghiu Mountains volcanoes as inferred from geophysical data

The paper is mainly aimed at presenting some results of the geophysical investigations focused on... more The paper is mainly aimed at presenting some results of the geophysical investigations focused on the Gurghiu Mountains volcanism.The Gurghiu Mountains are located in the central inner (western) part of Eastern Carpathians, Romania. They represents the middle segment of the approx. 160 km long Neogene to Quaternary volcanic chain Călimani-Gurghiu-Harghita (CGH), the southeastern end of the magmatic arc adjoining the Carpathians from Slovakia to Romania. CGH is a typical andesite-dominated calc-alkaline volcanic range. As part of it, Gurghiu Mountains exhibits (with minor exceptions) monotonous volcanic rocks, clearly dominated by andesites and pyroxene andesites.Several years ago, CGH volcanism was subject to research within a specific project funded by the Romanian National Agency for Scientific Research. During the project, gravity and geomagnetic investigations were conducted in the Gurghiu Mountains areal to help unveiling the composition and structure of the volcanic edifices. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Geophysical insights into the structure and geodynamic evolution of the se Carpathians and related foreland in the context of the black sea opening

Видавництво Львівської політехніки, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Earthquakes and structures within northern Moesian Plate

Research paper thumbnail of Geophysical Imprints of the Geodynamic Evolution of Moesia Following the Black Sea Opening

Research paper thumbnail of Cyberdyn supercomputer - a tool for imaging geodinamic processes

Research paper thumbnail of Seeking for efficiency in using a HPCC with high resolution models of oblique subduction

Research paper thumbnail of Non-Tidal Gravity Changes Across Major Lithosphere Boundaries on the Romanian Territory

4th Congress of the Balkan Geophysical Society, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Using gravity for monitoring an active geodynamic area: Vrancea intermediate-depth seismic zone

EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Vrancea Seismic Zone As An Unstable Triple Junction: New Evidence From Observations And Numerical Modelling

9th Congress of the Balkan Geophysical Society, 2017

Research paper thumbnail of On the uncertainty of geophysical data interpretation in volcanic areas through a case study: Ciomadul Volcano

Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 2021

Abstract This study mainly deals with the consequences of inadequate data coverage on the interpr... more Abstract This study mainly deals with the consequences of inadequate data coverage on the interpretation of geophysical information. The results of the joint gravity and geomagnetic survey of the Ciomadul Volcano are discussed in connection with conclusions of previously performed magneto-telluric (MT) investigations.In the first step, inversion of both the potential fields and MT data apparently suggested the existence of a shallow (i.e., During the next step, a brief study on the limitations of the inversion approach revealed significant shortcomings generated by uneven data distribution. Based on these conclusions, the gravity inversion results were reconsidered by substituting the initially assumed single magma chamber with a hypothetical swarm of narrow volcano conduits, each with size below the Nyquist threshold of the gravity survey as determined by an observations coverage density of less than one station/km2. The new 3D density-based model was obtained by forward modelling, unveiling the structure of the shallow part of the volcanic feeder system that gradually developed and branched bottom-to-top.Given the shortcomings of the inversion due to inappropriate data coverage, it was speculated that a former solution of MT inversion might have been biased also by data scarcity. That leads to the integration of local effects (caused by narrow, but highly conductive fluid-filled conduits) into a single electrical resistivity anomaly that is improperly interpreted.

Research paper thumbnail of Tectono-magmatic characteristics of post-collisional magmatism: Case study East Carpathians, Călimani-Gurghiu-Harghita volcanic range

Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Structural and Geodynamic Ideas on the Galati-Izvoarele Seismic-Prone Area (Eastern Romania)

Pure and Applied Geophysics, 2018

The Galati-Izvoarele region, located in eastern Romania, came into the public attention relativel... more The Galati-Izvoarele region, located in eastern Romania, came into the public attention relatively recent, when hosted an unusual intense earthquake sequence. During September–November 2013, several hundred shallow crust earthquakes were recorded in the area. There were several attempts to explain the phenomenon, and hypotheses more or less documented have been formed. Some speculations occurred on the potential connection between the seismic swarm and oil industry activities. The paper summarizes the results of local geophysical surveys conducted in the area, jointly analysed with the observed seismicity. The main results of the study reveal the Galati-Izvoarele region as a seismic-active area belonging to the northwest prolongation of North Dobrogea mobile zone. The earthquakes were generated mainly in a highly fragmented local graben-like structure, transversally superposed on the descending slope of the North Dobrogea Promontory. The graben fault system was and might be (re)activated each time when tectonic forces acting in the Carpathians foreland intensify. Changes in the intensity of tectonic forces may reflect in the slip acceleration along Peceneaga–Camena Fault, as observed at the Baspunar Geodynamic Observatory. For example, the paroxysmal phase of the Galati-Izvoarele swarm was shortly preceded by a significant increase of the Peceneaga–Camena Fault slip rate recorded at Baspunar Geodynamic Observatory. To conclude, the Galati-Izvoarele region must be seen as a seismic-prone area and any significant increase of the tectonic stress in the Carpathians foreland may generate another seismic sequence in an unpredictable future.

Research paper thumbnail of Computational Fluid Dynamics in Solid Earth Sciences–a HPC challenge

Acta Universitaria, 2012

Presently, the Solid Earth Sciences started to move towards implementing High Performance Computa... more Presently, the Solid Earth Sciences started to move towards implementing High Performance Computational (HPC) research facilities. One of the key tenants of HPC is performance, which strongly depends on the interaction between software and hardware. In this paper, they are presented benchmark results from two HPC systems. Testing a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code specific for Solid Earth Sciences, the HPC system Horus, based on Gigabit Ethernet, performed reasonably well compared with its counterpart CyberDyn, based on Infiniband QDR fabric. However, the HPCC CyberDyn based on low-latency high-speed QDR network dedicated to MPI traffic outperformed the HPCC Horus. Due to the high-resolution simulations involved in geodynamic research studies, HPC facilities used in Earth Sciences should benefit from larger up-front investment in future systems that are based on high-speed interconnects.

Research paper thumbnail of Geophysical Setting of the Deep Well 6042 Deleni in Central Transylvania – Romania

Le cadre géophysique du puits profond 6042 Deleni dans la partie centrale de la Dépression de Tra... more Le cadre géophysique du puits profond 6042 Deleni dans la partie centrale de la Dépression de Transylvanie – Roumanie. Le puits profond 6042 Deleni a été foré pour l’exploration des hydrocarbures dans la partie centrale de la Dépression de Transylvanie (TD). Il a pénétré à une profondeur d'environ 4700 m et a traversé plus de 350 m, quelques roches mafiques (basaltes, andésites basaltiques, etc.), situées sous la série de carbonate de Tithonique (dolomies). Les roches basiques ont été précédemment considérées comme appartenant à une cicatrice ophiolitique de la branche transylvaine de l’océan Téthys. L’article présente les informations géophysiques aériennes/terrestres liées au secteur, en corrélation avec des données du puits (notations d'étrier, électrique, rayons gamma et notations de neutrone). Il est destiné à ajouter des données géophysiques et tectoniques aux études minéralogiques complètes consacrées aux roches mafiques de nature incertaine croisées par le puits. Des...

Research paper thumbnail of Геофизические идеи по поводу активного тектонического контакта разлома Peceneaga - Camena

The paper mainly deals with results of the research project INRAF, a joint venture of the Institu... more The paper mainly deals with results of the research project INRAF, a joint venture of the Institute of Geodynamics of the Romanian Academy (IGAR) and Institute of Geophysics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IG‐NASU) dedicated to the study of some active faults located in the Black Sea NW inland. Starting from a large geological and geological database additional field observations were conducted within the Peceneaga‐Camena Fault (PCF) segment where a geodynamic observatory run by IGAR is located. Based on the magnetic properties contrast between the PCF flanks, high accuracy ground geomagnetic investigations were successfully conducted for revealing the path and in‐depth structure within the fault segment where the Baspunar Geodynamic Permanent Station monitor slip along the fault. 2D modeling was used to construct tentativeinterpretative models of the fault. The lack of magnetic properties along PCF path has been interpreted in geodynamic terms. Therefore, indirect e...

Research paper thumbnail of Monitoring deep geodynamic processes within Vrancea intermediate-depth seismic zone by geodetic means

ABSTRACT Background Located in the bending zone of East Carpathians, the so-called Vrancea zone i... more ABSTRACT Background Located in the bending zone of East Carpathians, the so-called Vrancea zone is one of the most active seismic regions in Europe. Despite many years of international research, its intermediate-depth seismicity within full intra-continental environment still represents a challenge of the 21st century. Infrastructure In the attempt to join the above-mentioned efforts, the Solid Earth Dynamics Department (SEDD) in the Institute of Geodynamics of the Romanian Academy has developed a special research infrastructure, mainly devoted to gravity and space geodesy observations. A geodetic network covering the epicentre area of the intermediate-depth earthquakes has been designed and implemented for monitoring deep geodynamic processes and their surface echoes. Within each base-station of the above-mentioned network, a still-reinforced concrete pillar allows for high accuracy repeated gravity and GPS determinations. Results Starting from some results of the previously run CERGOP and UNIGRACE European programmes, to which additional SEDD repeated field campaigns were added, an unusual geodynamic behaviour has been revealed in the area. 1) Crust deformation: unlike the overall uprising of East Carpathians, as a result of denudation followed by erosion, their SE bending zone, with Vrancea epicentre area exhibits a slight subsidence. 2) Gravity change: more than 200 microgals non-tidal gravity decrease over a 20 years time-span has been noticed within the subsiding area. Extended observations showed the gravity lowering as a nowadays continuing process. Interpretation This strange combination of topography subsidence and gravity lowering has been interpreted in terms of crust stretching in the Vrancea epicentre zone due to the gravity pull created by densification of the lower crust as a result of phase-transform processes taking place in the lithospheric compartment sunken into the upper mantle. The occurrence of crust earthquakes with vertical-extension focal mechanism exclusively in the Vrancea seismic zone support the assumption. Recent studies on the Vrancea echoes of 2013 Galati-Izvoarele quake swarm have also confirmed our hypotheses. Based on numerical modelling of the geodynamic process, an estimate of the stretching rate has been obtained, fully consistent with results inferred from studies on the seismic energy released by the Vrancea intermediate earthquakes. Concluding remarks Looking further, the sinking of the Vrancea lithosphere into the upper mantle (and consequent crust stretching, appropriately reflected in the non-tidal gravity change) appears as an ongoing geodynamic process, tightly connected to the intermediate-depth seismicity generated within the lithosphere penetrating the upper mantle by thermo-baric accommodation phenomena. Time series provided by repeated gravity observations conducted on the above-mentioned infrastructure for about ten years have clearly revealed: (i) the persistence of the gravity lowering, and (ii) some apparent connection between the rate of the gravity change, and the amount of seismic energy released by intermediate-depth earthquakes. Acknowledgements. The research has been partly performed through CYBERDYNE project, funded through the EU structural programme (contract #184/2010).

Research paper thumbnail of Cercetări complexe, geofizice şi biogeofizice, pentru elaborarea unui model al circulaţiei apelor subterane din zona masivului de sare de la slănic Prahova - România

Research paper thumbnail of Radon implication in life and earth science: Băiţa-Ştei area and Peceneaga-Camena fault (Romania)

Research paper thumbnail of Recent Dynamics of East Romanian Fault Zones Produced by 3C Micro Seismic Screenings

4th Congress of the Balkan Geophysical Society, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Some considerations on the gravity system of Romania

Bulletin D Information Bureau Gravimetrique International, 2001

As a former socialist country, Romania faces several problems in joining the European Union. One ... more As a former socialist country, Romania faces several problems in joining the European Union. One of them is the integration of the Romanian gravity standard into the gravity system of European Community Within the last decade of the XX-th century, two absolute gravity campaigns on the Romanian territory provided the opportunity for this integration. A slight difference, of about two tenths of milligals, was revealed between gravity datum provided by USNIMA and UNIGRACE campaigns. Gravity ties between UNIGRACE absolute gravity sites and base stations of the Romanian gravity reference networks generally showed a good agreement between both Romania gravity datum or calibrating scale, and the gravity system of EC. Therefore, it is expected that the re-adjustment of the Romanian gravity reference networks constrained by the UNIGRACE data will provide small alterations only.

Research paper thumbnail of Density and magnetic architecture of the Gurghiu Mountains volcanoes as inferred from geophysical data

The paper is mainly aimed at presenting some results of the geophysical investigations focused on... more The paper is mainly aimed at presenting some results of the geophysical investigations focused on the Gurghiu Mountains volcanism.The Gurghiu Mountains are located in the central inner (western) part of Eastern Carpathians, Romania. They represents the middle segment of the approx. 160 km long Neogene to Quaternary volcanic chain Călimani-Gurghiu-Harghita (CGH), the southeastern end of the magmatic arc adjoining the Carpathians from Slovakia to Romania. CGH is a typical andesite-dominated calc-alkaline volcanic range. As part of it, Gurghiu Mountains exhibits (with minor exceptions) monotonous volcanic rocks, clearly dominated by andesites and pyroxene andesites.Several years ago, CGH volcanism was subject to research within a specific project funded by the Romanian National Agency for Scientific Research. During the project, gravity and geomagnetic investigations were conducted in the Gurghiu Mountains areal to help unveiling the composition and structure of the volcanic edifices. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Geophysical insights into the structure and geodynamic evolution of the se Carpathians and related foreland in the context of the black sea opening

Видавництво Львівської політехніки, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Earthquakes and structures within northern Moesian Plate

Research paper thumbnail of Geophysical Imprints of the Geodynamic Evolution of Moesia Following the Black Sea Opening

Research paper thumbnail of Cyberdyn supercomputer - a tool for imaging geodinamic processes

Research paper thumbnail of Seeking for efficiency in using a HPCC with high resolution models of oblique subduction

Research paper thumbnail of Non-Tidal Gravity Changes Across Major Lithosphere Boundaries on the Romanian Territory

4th Congress of the Balkan Geophysical Society, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Using gravity for monitoring an active geodynamic area: Vrancea intermediate-depth seismic zone

EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Vrancea Seismic Zone As An Unstable Triple Junction: New Evidence From Observations And Numerical Modelling

9th Congress of the Balkan Geophysical Society, 2017

Research paper thumbnail of On the uncertainty of geophysical data interpretation in volcanic areas through a case study: Ciomadul Volcano

Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 2021

Abstract This study mainly deals with the consequences of inadequate data coverage on the interpr... more Abstract This study mainly deals with the consequences of inadequate data coverage on the interpretation of geophysical information. The results of the joint gravity and geomagnetic survey of the Ciomadul Volcano are discussed in connection with conclusions of previously performed magneto-telluric (MT) investigations.In the first step, inversion of both the potential fields and MT data apparently suggested the existence of a shallow (i.e., During the next step, a brief study on the limitations of the inversion approach revealed significant shortcomings generated by uneven data distribution. Based on these conclusions, the gravity inversion results were reconsidered by substituting the initially assumed single magma chamber with a hypothetical swarm of narrow volcano conduits, each with size below the Nyquist threshold of the gravity survey as determined by an observations coverage density of less than one station/km2. The new 3D density-based model was obtained by forward modelling, unveiling the structure of the shallow part of the volcanic feeder system that gradually developed and branched bottom-to-top.Given the shortcomings of the inversion due to inappropriate data coverage, it was speculated that a former solution of MT inversion might have been biased also by data scarcity. That leads to the integration of local effects (caused by narrow, but highly conductive fluid-filled conduits) into a single electrical resistivity anomaly that is improperly interpreted.

Research paper thumbnail of Tectono-magmatic characteristics of post-collisional magmatism: Case study East Carpathians, Călimani-Gurghiu-Harghita volcanic range

Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Structural and Geodynamic Ideas on the Galati-Izvoarele Seismic-Prone Area (Eastern Romania)

Pure and Applied Geophysics, 2018

The Galati-Izvoarele region, located in eastern Romania, came into the public attention relativel... more The Galati-Izvoarele region, located in eastern Romania, came into the public attention relatively recent, when hosted an unusual intense earthquake sequence. During September–November 2013, several hundred shallow crust earthquakes were recorded in the area. There were several attempts to explain the phenomenon, and hypotheses more or less documented have been formed. Some speculations occurred on the potential connection between the seismic swarm and oil industry activities. The paper summarizes the results of local geophysical surveys conducted in the area, jointly analysed with the observed seismicity. The main results of the study reveal the Galati-Izvoarele region as a seismic-active area belonging to the northwest prolongation of North Dobrogea mobile zone. The earthquakes were generated mainly in a highly fragmented local graben-like structure, transversally superposed on the descending slope of the North Dobrogea Promontory. The graben fault system was and might be (re)activated each time when tectonic forces acting in the Carpathians foreland intensify. Changes in the intensity of tectonic forces may reflect in the slip acceleration along Peceneaga–Camena Fault, as observed at the Baspunar Geodynamic Observatory. For example, the paroxysmal phase of the Galati-Izvoarele swarm was shortly preceded by a significant increase of the Peceneaga–Camena Fault slip rate recorded at Baspunar Geodynamic Observatory. To conclude, the Galati-Izvoarele region must be seen as a seismic-prone area and any significant increase of the tectonic stress in the Carpathians foreland may generate another seismic sequence in an unpredictable future.

Research paper thumbnail of Computational Fluid Dynamics in Solid Earth Sciences–a HPC challenge

Acta Universitaria, 2012

Presently, the Solid Earth Sciences started to move towards implementing High Performance Computa... more Presently, the Solid Earth Sciences started to move towards implementing High Performance Computational (HPC) research facilities. One of the key tenants of HPC is performance, which strongly depends on the interaction between software and hardware. In this paper, they are presented benchmark results from two HPC systems. Testing a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code specific for Solid Earth Sciences, the HPC system Horus, based on Gigabit Ethernet, performed reasonably well compared with its counterpart CyberDyn, based on Infiniband QDR fabric. However, the HPCC CyberDyn based on low-latency high-speed QDR network dedicated to MPI traffic outperformed the HPCC Horus. Due to the high-resolution simulations involved in geodynamic research studies, HPC facilities used in Earth Sciences should benefit from larger up-front investment in future systems that are based on high-speed interconnects.

Research paper thumbnail of Geophysical Setting of the Deep Well 6042 Deleni in Central Transylvania – Romania

Le cadre géophysique du puits profond 6042 Deleni dans la partie centrale de la Dépression de Tra... more Le cadre géophysique du puits profond 6042 Deleni dans la partie centrale de la Dépression de Transylvanie – Roumanie. Le puits profond 6042 Deleni a été foré pour l’exploration des hydrocarbures dans la partie centrale de la Dépression de Transylvanie (TD). Il a pénétré à une profondeur d'environ 4700 m et a traversé plus de 350 m, quelques roches mafiques (basaltes, andésites basaltiques, etc.), situées sous la série de carbonate de Tithonique (dolomies). Les roches basiques ont été précédemment considérées comme appartenant à une cicatrice ophiolitique de la branche transylvaine de l’océan Téthys. L’article présente les informations géophysiques aériennes/terrestres liées au secteur, en corrélation avec des données du puits (notations d'étrier, électrique, rayons gamma et notations de neutrone). Il est destiné à ajouter des données géophysiques et tectoniques aux études minéralogiques complètes consacrées aux roches mafiques de nature incertaine croisées par le puits. Des...

Research paper thumbnail of Геофизические идеи по поводу активного тектонического контакта разлома Peceneaga - Camena

The paper mainly deals with results of the research project INRAF, a joint venture of the Institu... more The paper mainly deals with results of the research project INRAF, a joint venture of the Institute of Geodynamics of the Romanian Academy (IGAR) and Institute of Geophysics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IG‐NASU) dedicated to the study of some active faults located in the Black Sea NW inland. Starting from a large geological and geological database additional field observations were conducted within the Peceneaga‐Camena Fault (PCF) segment where a geodynamic observatory run by IGAR is located. Based on the magnetic properties contrast between the PCF flanks, high accuracy ground geomagnetic investigations were successfully conducted for revealing the path and in‐depth structure within the fault segment where the Baspunar Geodynamic Permanent Station monitor slip along the fault. 2D modeling was used to construct tentativeinterpretative models of the fault. The lack of magnetic properties along PCF path has been interpreted in geodynamic terms. Therefore, indirect e...

Research paper thumbnail of Monitoring deep geodynamic processes within Vrancea intermediate-depth seismic zone by geodetic means

ABSTRACT Background Located in the bending zone of East Carpathians, the so-called Vrancea zone i... more ABSTRACT Background Located in the bending zone of East Carpathians, the so-called Vrancea zone is one of the most active seismic regions in Europe. Despite many years of international research, its intermediate-depth seismicity within full intra-continental environment still represents a challenge of the 21st century. Infrastructure In the attempt to join the above-mentioned efforts, the Solid Earth Dynamics Department (SEDD) in the Institute of Geodynamics of the Romanian Academy has developed a special research infrastructure, mainly devoted to gravity and space geodesy observations. A geodetic network covering the epicentre area of the intermediate-depth earthquakes has been designed and implemented for monitoring deep geodynamic processes and their surface echoes. Within each base-station of the above-mentioned network, a still-reinforced concrete pillar allows for high accuracy repeated gravity and GPS determinations. Results Starting from some results of the previously run CERGOP and UNIGRACE European programmes, to which additional SEDD repeated field campaigns were added, an unusual geodynamic behaviour has been revealed in the area. 1) Crust deformation: unlike the overall uprising of East Carpathians, as a result of denudation followed by erosion, their SE bending zone, with Vrancea epicentre area exhibits a slight subsidence. 2) Gravity change: more than 200 microgals non-tidal gravity decrease over a 20 years time-span has been noticed within the subsiding area. Extended observations showed the gravity lowering as a nowadays continuing process. Interpretation This strange combination of topography subsidence and gravity lowering has been interpreted in terms of crust stretching in the Vrancea epicentre zone due to the gravity pull created by densification of the lower crust as a result of phase-transform processes taking place in the lithospheric compartment sunken into the upper mantle. The occurrence of crust earthquakes with vertical-extension focal mechanism exclusively in the Vrancea seismic zone support the assumption. Recent studies on the Vrancea echoes of 2013 Galati-Izvoarele quake swarm have also confirmed our hypotheses. Based on numerical modelling of the geodynamic process, an estimate of the stretching rate has been obtained, fully consistent with results inferred from studies on the seismic energy released by the Vrancea intermediate earthquakes. Concluding remarks Looking further, the sinking of the Vrancea lithosphere into the upper mantle (and consequent crust stretching, appropriately reflected in the non-tidal gravity change) appears as an ongoing geodynamic process, tightly connected to the intermediate-depth seismicity generated within the lithosphere penetrating the upper mantle by thermo-baric accommodation phenomena. Time series provided by repeated gravity observations conducted on the above-mentioned infrastructure for about ten years have clearly revealed: (i) the persistence of the gravity lowering, and (ii) some apparent connection between the rate of the gravity change, and the amount of seismic energy released by intermediate-depth earthquakes. Acknowledgements. The research has been partly performed through CYBERDYNE project, funded through the EU structural programme (contract #184/2010).