Self-potential variations at Vesuvius and Alban Hills

In this paper, we deal with the self-potential (SP) study on the Mt. Somma-Vesuvius apparatus and Alban Hills. On both areas SP surveys have been carried out. They aim at providing SP contour maps, in order to evidence anomalous zones to be connected with underground anomalous concentrations of electric charges. These concentrations are very likely provoked by underground circulation of fluids in porous media and along permeable fracture systems, which give rise to electrokinetic phenomena. The importance of this approach is evident: in fact, the knowledge of the structural configuration of the electrokinetic paths may provide indications about the buried geometries in the surveyed areas, as well as may help to understand the role of both water solutions and magmatic fluids and their interaction in the deep dynamics of the volcanic apparata.