ISLAND OF ISCHIA
Prefazione - Indice
Prefazione
The main objective of the Subproject
3 of the Italian Geodynamic Project was that of promoting research in
the field of active volcanology aimed at the mitigation of volcanic
hazard. The actions undertaken included the improvement of the permanent
monitoring
networks on active volcanoes, and the sponsoring of research on eruptive
mechanisms and in the field of volcanic hazard assessment.
Advancement in this last sector required, in turn, a deep revision
of the previous basic knowledge on volcanic geology, stratigraphy and
tectonics, as well as a careful reconstruction of the volcanic history.
The obtainment of a new geological map at adequate scale of each active
volcanic area of Italy was one of the main objective of this research
plan. Considering that detailed geological maps had been recently published
on Etna (1982) and on the Aeolian Islands volcanoes (1980), the
main effort was concentrated on the active volcanic areas of the neapolitan
region (Phlegrean Fields, Vesuvius, island of Ischia).
The island of Ischia is a crudal piece in the volcanic geology of Southem
Italy and a high seismic hazard area. After the brilliant research of
A. Rittmann in the years 30's, the geology of the island has been long
rather neglected. A new cycle of studies was therefore needed.
This monograph illustrates the results obtained on the island of Ischia
by a group of scientists of Milano (Department of Earth Sciences of the
University and Geological Study Center of CNR). The monograph summarizes
all the results of the stratigraphical, tectonic, geochronological and
petrological studies. It is accompanied by a new 1:10,000 geological map,
that alone represents a marked improvement of the knowledge of the area
(previous geological maps were those of A. Rittmann - 1930 and
of the Geological Survey of Italy, 1 :100,000 - 1987).
A new volcanological, stratigraphical and structural model, more complete
and reliable than previous ones, is ptesented far Ischia. It provides
a sound base far more detailed studies on the volcanic and seismic hazard
assessment presently under progress.
Professar of Volcanology at the University of Pisa
Director of the Italian Geodynamic Project
FRANCO BARBERI
July, 1988
