The Solfatara volcanic crater at Pozzuoli, part of the Campi Flegrei volcanic area, has many fumaroles and mud pools.
The bubbling mud pits are created by rainwater and vapor condensation, which mix with the clay material present on the surface of the volcanic crater. The gas composition which spews out from the mud pit is varying (H2S, N2O, H2O, CH4, He, C); the liquid composition is as rich (Boron, Sodium, Magnesium, Vanadium, Arsenic, Zinc, Iodine, Antimony, Rubidium).
At the start of the 20th century, a small Volcanologic Observatory was built here by the volcanologist Friedländer, of which some ruins still remain. It collapsed due to the periodic telluric movements (underground electric currents), as well as the opening of a fumarole.
Credit: Christopher Dimech. You can read more about this area in Christopher’s guest blog.
(c) Geology for Global Development 2013
