Objective The study of volcanoes is one the key themes within the EU natural hazards research agenda. This study will aim to improve the existing forecast models by investigating fundamental deformation processes in volcanic tuffs from the Campi Flegrei area. This area is characterised by peculiar ground deformation episodes whose origin is not well understood.Field monitoring of such events has revealed that both geochemical and geophysical parameters change during the deformation episodes. I propose to study the fundamental mechanisms that could generate these phenomena by carrying out a unique set of cross-disciplinary laboratory experiments on the tuffs. The tests will be carried out in the presence of water and under a stress state that simulates the in-situ conditions in the crust.I will quantify the extent of water assisted deformation processes and the associated time dependent strength reduction in the tuffs. I will also monitor various geochemical and geophysical parameters during each test. The laboratory data will be compared with the field data in order to gain a better understanding of the origin of the deformation events.The experimentally defined values will also provide input data for numerical models of the subsurface system at Campi Flegrei. The results of this novel experimental programme will advance our knowledge of the physical mechanisms that may be responsible for the time-dependent uplift-subsidence sequences in this volcanically active area. Fields of science natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologyvolcanologynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesphysical geographynatural disasters Keywords Campi Flegrei acoustic chemical chemical reactions corrosion crack deformation emission fault fracturing mechanical mechanical properties mechanics precursors properties rate reactions rock rock mechanics rocks strain stress stress strain testing tuff volcanic volcanic rocks Programme(s) FP6-MOBILITY - Human resources and Mobility in the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration "Structuring the European Research Area" under the Sixth Framework Programme 2002-2006 Topic(s) MOBILITY-2.1 - Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowships (EIF) Call for proposal FP6-2002-MOBILITY-5 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme EIF - Marie Curie actions-Intra-European Fellowships Coordinator ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI GEOFISICA E VULCANOLOGIA Address Italy See on map EU contribution € 0,00
