Integrated analyses of the submarine volcanic structures offshore Pantelleria

Detailed investigations of the submarine portions of Pantelleria were carried out in 2006 and 2008 (aboard R\V Urania) using a 50 kHz multibeam bathymetric system and through collecting seafloor samples by dredging, grabbing and coring. The high resolution bathymetric data, acquired from –20 m down to -1300 m, furnished a digital terrain model allowing a detailed morphological reconstruction of the seafloor geological features. The main focus of this work is the characterization of the submarine flanks of Pantelleria. This was accomplished through observations and geo-morphometric analysis particularly of the volcanic morphologies. For the first time, numerous volcanic cones were identified on the NW offshore of Pantelleria and have been investigated based on morphological and morphometric parameters, with the aim of summarizing the most significant volcano-morphological parameters of these edifices. Moreover, marine surveys used high resolution bathymetry and sampling to locate and characterize the 1891 submarine eruption that occurred offshore Pantelleria Island. During the 1891 eruption, the observed activity lasted for 8-days with the presence of steam plumes and floating lava basaltic bombs (“lava balloons”), rising buoyantly to the sea surface 5 km W-NW from Pantelleria village (Riccò, 1892). The study of the products recovered in the area nearby the eruption allowed for a rigorous characterization of this eruption in term of vent location and eruptive style. Finally, the morphological mapping of the area offshore Pantelleria volcano was made with the aim to assess potential marine geohazards. This work provides a detailed overview of the area and a valuable road map for designing further studies. The characterization and study of the collected samples is still ongoing and offer a great opportunity not only for geology but also for other natural science disciplines (e.g., biology, palaeontology).