Mantle-derived CO sub(2) migration along active faults within an extensional basin margin (Fiumicino, Rome, Italy)

Recent research activities in the area around Fiumicino, a town 25 km to the west of Rome, has highlighted the close spatial link between degassing CO sub(2) and the faults that provide the necessary vertical migration pathways. Detailed reconstruction of the Pleistocene-Holocene stratigraphy of the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tectonophysics 2014-12, Vol.637, p.137-149
Main Authors: Bigi, S, Beaubien, S E, Ciotoli, G, D'Ambrogi, C, Doglioni, C, Ferrante, V, Lombardi, S, Milli, S, Orlando, L, Ruggiero, L, Tartarello, M C, Sacco, P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Carbon dioxide
Degassing
Encounters
Faults
Geological faults
Migration
Reconstruction
Stratigraphy
Tectonics
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Summary:Recent research activities in the area around Fiumicino, a town 25 km to the west of Rome, has highlighted the close spatial link between degassing CO sub(2) and the faults that provide the necessary vertical migration pathways. Detailed reconstruction of the Pleistocene-Holocene stratigraphy of the area dates fault activity from 20,000 to 9000 years BP. It is proposed that the gas migrates preferentially along the cataclastic tectonic breccias of the faults until it encounters recent, unconsolidated sediments: porous units within this shallow stratigraphy act as temporary secondary traps for the leaking gas, with local gas release at the ground surface occurring where the sealing of the overlying aquitards has been compromised. Degassing and active faults confirm the extensional tectonics affecting the area and the geodynamic scenario of a mantle wedge beneath the western Apennines, associated with ongoing W-directed subduction.
ISSN:0040-1951
DOI:10.1016/j.tecto.2014.10.001