Massimo Calcara - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Massimo Calcara

The Swarm three-satellite mission by ESA was initially designed with its original configuration t... more The Swarm three-satellite mission by ESA was initially designed with its original configuration to monitor and study the geomagnetic field and the state of the ionosphere and magnetosphere. For the first time, in 2017, the Swarm satellites detected some pre- and post-earthquake magnetic field anomalies on occasion of the 2015 Nepal M7.8 earthquake. Interestingly, the cumulative number of satellite anomalies and the cumulative number of earthquakes behaved similarly with the so-called S-shape, providing an empirical proof on the lithospheric origin of the satellite anomalies (De Santis et al., 2017; doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2016.12.037). Following the same approach, other promising results were obtained for 12 case studies in the range of 6.1-8.3 earthquake magnitude, in the framework of the SAFE (SwArm For Earthquake study) project funded by ESA (De Santis et al., 2019a; doi:10.3390/atmos10070371). In 2019, almost five years of Swarm magnetic field and electron density data were analysed ...

Three earthquakes of comparable magnitude and in different tectonic contexts occurred on 15 June ... more Three earthquakes of comparable magnitude and in different tectonic contexts occurred on 15 June 2019 (M7.2) in New Zealand (Kermadec Islands), on 6 July 2019 (M7.1) in California (Ridgecrest) and on 21 May 2021 (M7.3) in China (Maduo) (dates in UT). We applied a multiparameter - multilayer approach to lithospheric, atmospheric and ionospheric data, the latter taken from CSES and Swarm satellites, before the mentioned large earthquakes to detect potential pre-earthquake anomalies. In all case studies, we note the following: a) similar precursor times of occurrences, confirming the Rikitake law for which the larger the earthquake magnitude the longer the anticipation time of the precursor and b) a clear acceleration of the possible precursory anomalies before each mainshock, as typical of critical systems approaching a critical state. We propose an interpretative model to take into account the chain of detected phenomena.

Minerals

CO2 is a widespread fluid naturally occurring within the Earth crust or injected in deep strata f... more CO2 is a widespread fluid naturally occurring within the Earth crust or injected in deep strata for technological issues such as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). At STP conditions, CO2 is a gas, with a net zero dipole moment. Growing pressures produce an increase in its density. The reduced intermolecular distance causes a variation in the molecular structure, due to the intensification of mutual interactions. Some published spot data reveal the departure from the planarity of the bond angle while others provide few values of the CO2 dipole moment. Based on a small amount of literature-measured angle values, it was possible first to extrapolate a correlation between bond angle and density (R2 = 0.879). By fixing the partial charges distribution, we present a simple model that allows the calculation of the CO2 dipole moment directly from the geometry of the molecule, in the range of 179–162 degrees, 1-degree step. Results give values up to about 1 D. Being aware that this model is q...

Remote Sensing of Environment

$Research paper thumbnail of Chemistry in earthquake: the active chemical role of liquid and supercritical waters in microfracturing at depth$

Journal of Seismology

The role of water in the nucleation process of an earthquake and its contribution to the mainshoc... more The role of water in the nucleation process of an earthquake and its contribution to the mainshock is ascertained by many models in its physical part, as a factor capable of altering the balance of pressures and thus influencing the effective pressure. Assuming that water is present at depth, starting from the observation of its molecular structure at various crustal pressure and temperature conditions, the present paper analyses water’s chemical role in relation with the rock matrix, and its response during microfracturing. The creation of a network of new void spaces produces a decrease of the water pressure. Water may respond at molecular scale differently, depending on its aggregation state. Effectively depressurisation has a limited influence on the liquid water, only if it does not cause the transition to the vapour phase. Conversely, depressurisation causes an instantaneous variation in the intermolecular structure of supercritical water (SCW). Specifically, the nearly total ...

Remote Sensing

On 20 December 2021, after six quiet years, the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted abruptl... more On 20 December 2021, after six quiet years, the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted abruptly. Then, on 15 January 2022, the largest eruption produced a plume well registered from satellites and destroyed the volcanic cone previously formed in 2015, connecting the two islands. We applied a multi-parametric and multi-layer study to investigate all the possible pre-eruption signals and effects of this volcanic activity in the lithosphere, atmosphere, and ionosphere. We focused our attention on: (a) seismological features considering the eruption in terms of an earthquake with equivalent energy released in the lithosphere; (b) atmospheric parameters, such as skin and air temperature, outgoing longwave radiation (OLR), cloud cover, relative humidity from climatological datasets; (c) varying magnetic field and electron density observed by ground magnetometers and satellites, even if the event was in the recovery phase of an intense geomagnetic storm. We found different precursors of...

Progress in Volcanology

Production of geothermal energy for electricity at Amiata Volcano uses flash-type power plants wi... more Production of geothermal energy for electricity at Amiata Volcano uses flash-type power plants with cooling towers that evaporate much of the geothermal fluid to the atmosphere to condense the geothermal vapour extracted. Because the flash occurs also within the geothermal reservoir, it causes a significant depressurization within it that, in turns, results in a drop of the water table inside the volcano between 200 and 300 m. The flow rates of natural springs around the volcano have also substantially decreased or ceased since the start of geothermal energy exploitation. Continuous recording of aquifer conditions shows substantial increases in salinity (>20%) and temperature (>2°C) as the water table falls below about 755–750 m asl. In addition to hydrologic impacts, there are also a large numbers of induced earthquakes, among which the ML 3.9, April 1, 2000 earthquake that generated significant damage in the old villages and rural houses. Relevant impacts on air quality occu...

Mars: A Volcanic World, 2021

Current global warming theories have produced some benefits: among them, detailed studies on CO2 ... more Current global warming theories have produced some benefits: among them, detailed studies on CO2 and its properties, possible applications and perspectives. Starting from its use as a "green solvent" (for instance in decaffeination process), to enhance system in oil recovery, to capture and storage enough amount of CO2 in geological horizon. So, a great debate is centred around this molecule. One More useful research in natural horizon studies is its theorised use in Enhanced Geothermal Systems with CO2 as the only working fluid. In any case, the CO2 characteristics should be deeply understood, before injecting a molecule prone to change easily its aggregation state at relatively shallow depth. CO2 Rock interaction becomes therefore a focal point in approaching research sectors linked in some manner to natural or induced presence of carbon dioxide in geological horizons. Possible chemical interactions between fluids and solids have always been a central topic in defining e...

We develop a reactive-transport porous media flow model for a phosphogypsum dump located on the i... more We develop a reactive-transport porous media flow model for a phosphogypsum dump located on the intertidal deposits of the Venetian Lagoon: 1. we construct a complex conceptual and geologic model from field data using the GMS™ graphical user interface; 2. the geological model is mapped onto a rectangular MODFLOW grid; 3. using the TMT2 FORTRAN90 code we translate this grid into the MESH, INCON and GENER input files for the TOUGH2 series of codes; 4. we run TOUGH-REACT to model flow and reactive transport in the dump and the sediments below it. The model includes 3 different dump materials (phosphogypsum, bituminous and hazardous wastes) with the pores saturated by specific fluids. The sediments below the dump are formed by an intertidal sequence of calcareous sands and silts, in addition to clays and organic deposits, all of which are initially saturated with lagoon salty waters. The recharge rain-water dilutes the dump fluids. In turn, the percolates from the dump react with the un...

Annals of Geophysics, 1997

While the literature abounds with case histories related to geochemical precursory phenomena, onl... more While the literature abounds with case histories related to geochemical precursory phenomena, only a few studies on definite seismogeochemical algorithms have been published so far. Currently, available theoretical algorithms are based on obsolete views of fluid migration processes that do not take into account the possibility of rapid and long-distance gas migration from the focal zone. Empirical algorithms are often based on a limited number of data and need validation for several geostructural environments. The algorithms of Sardarov (1981) and Rikitake (1987), for Rn and other geochemical elements, suggest that a definite relationship exists between geochemical parameters and seismic events. Their validation must be based on the verification of independence (maintained by the former author) or dependence (maintained by the latter) of the precursor time on the seismic data.

Eos Transactions American Geophysical Union

IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society. OCEANS'98. Conference Proceedings (Cat. No.98CH36259)

GEOSTAR is a project funded by the European Union (EU) in the framework of the Marine Science and... more GEOSTAR is a project funded by the European Union (EU) in the framework of the Marine Science and Technology Programme (MAST-III, CT95-0007). Its aim is to realise the first prototype of an abyssal benthic laboratory, following the scientific recommendation of the EU for deep sea research and in continuity with previous studies promoted by the EU itself in the framework

Developments in Marine Technology, 2002

Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union, 2000

Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 1998

The GEOSTAR is a technological and scientific project aimed at the realisation of an autonomous b... more The GEOSTAR is a technological and scientific project aimed at the realisation of an autonomous benthic observatory able to perform long-term, continuous and integrated geophysical and environmental measurements in deep seafloors. The observatory is conceived to be a node of existing and future geophysical monitoring networks, making possible their extension offshore. The GEOSTAR observatory prototype hosts sensors for seismic, geomagnetic,

Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Part B: Hydrology, Oceans and Atmosphere, 2000

Consistent results, concerning the detection of deep submarine hydrothermal vents, were obtained ... more Consistent results, concerning the detection of deep submarine hydrothermal vents, were obtained during two cruises (1991 and 1996) offshore from the Aeolian Islands, by CTD prolYing from sea surface down to seafloor, and water-sampling casts. In 1991 an echo sounder showed a wide plume at a depth of about 800 m, within which water samples displayed anomalies in He and NH f content, suggesting also the presence of a water-vapour phase. The latter, in 1996, was remarkably observed as a horizontally diffusing plume at about 350 m. Near-plume casts were characterised by high CO2 and CI-L, and low Oz concentrations in seawater, disturbed light transmission profiles, and false bottom outputs appearing at-300-350 m down to the seafloor from the rosette-mounted altimeter. No significant temperature/salinity anomalies were noted during either events. These preliminary results show the presence of deep hydrothermal activity, over an area where, one century ago, the occurrence of submarine eruptions was detected.