Space-weighted seismic attenuation mapping of the aseismic source of Campi Flegrei 1983–1984 unrest

Coda wave attenuation imaging is able to detect fluid/melt accumulation and ancient magmatic bodies in volcanoes. Here we use recently developed space-weighting sensitivity functions to invert for the spatial distributions of multifrequency coda wave attenuation (Qc-1), measured during the largest monitored unrest at Campi Flegrei caldera (1983–1984). High-attenuation anomalies are spatially correlated with the regions of highest structural complexities and cross faulting. They characterize deep fluid circulation in and around the aseismic roots of the 1534 A.D. Mount Nuovo eruption and fluid accumulation in the areas of highest hydrothermal hazard. Just offshore Pozzuoli, and at the highest frequency (wavelengths of ∼150 m), the main cause of ground deformation and seismicity during the unrest is an aseismic low-attenuation circular anomaly, similar in shape and nature to those produced by ancient magmatic reservoirs and active sills at other volcanoes.