Advanced argillic alteration at Cave di Caolino, Lipari, Aeolian Islands (Italy): Implications for the mitigation of volcanic risks and the exploitation of geothermal resources

Research at Cave di Caolino, Lipari, Aeolian Islands, reveals that advanced argillic alteration is primarily driven by hydrothermal steam condensation, producing H2SO4 solutions without requiring magmatic fluids. Two distinct parageneses of altered rocks were identified: silicate-rich (opal/cristobalite, montmorillonite, kaolinite, alunite, hematite) and sulfate-rich (gypsum, anhydrite, bassanite). Geochemical modeling confirmed the stability of these minerals, aligning with natural observations. This finding eliminates the need for SO2-HCl-HF-bearing magmatic fluids in explaining alteration processes, offering crucial insights for mitigating volcanic risks and exploiting geothermal resources.

Apollaro, C., Fuoco, I., Gennaro, E., Giuliani, L., Iezzi, G., Marini, L., Radica, F., Di Luccio, F., Ventura, G., & Vespasiano, G. (2023). Advanced argillic alteration at Cave di Caolino, Lipari, Aeolian Islands (Italy): Implications for the mitigation of volcanic risks and the exploitation of geothermal resources. Science of the Total Environment, 889, 164333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164333