Large caldera-forming eruptions are among the most complex and hazardous volcanic phenomena, yet their reconstruction is often hindered by incomplete preservation of proximal deposits and temporal variability of eruptive processes. The Neapolitan Yellow Tuff (NYT) eruption, one of the largest events at the Campi Flegrei caldera (southern Italy), represents a key case study for understanding the dynamics of large explosive eruptions, but its stratigraphy, magnitude, and eruptive mechanisms remain debated. Here we present a comprehensive reappraisal of the NYT eruption based on an integrated synthesis of previous studies and new lithostratigraphic, textural, geochemical, and geochronological data collected across a wide proximal-to-distal transect. Our revised stratigraphic framework identifies four main Eruptive Units (EUs), which were fed by multiple, compositionally distinct, magma batches. A new high-precision, weighted-mean age of 13.98 ± 0.14 ka is proposed. The results indicate that magma fragmentation was predominantly magmatic, involving a volatile-rich and mechanically fragile magma, with limited evidence for sustained phreatomagmatic-driven fragmentation. The eruption progressed through pulsatory phases, with alternating sustained columns and pyroclastic density currents in the first three EUs and a prolonged stage dominated by pyroclastic density currents in EU4. This behaviour reflects progressive changes in magma supply and conduit dynamics. The total erupted volume is re-estimated between 16 and 20 km3 Dense Rock Equivalent (DRE), significantly lower than previous reconstructions, with caldera collapse likely localized in the Agnano Plain sector. This revised model highlights the importance of integrating multi-scale datasets to resolve the complexity of caldera-forming eruptions and provides a robust framework for interpreting similar eruptive systems worldwide, with direct implications for volcanic hazard assessment in densely populated caldera environments.
Neapolitan Yellow Tuff revisited: a new look to stratigraphy and eruptive dynamics of a complex eruption of Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy)
Jacopo Natale;Daniela Mele;Vincenzo Amato;Pierfrancesco Dellino;Roberto Sulpizio
2026-01-01
Abstract
Large caldera-forming eruptions are among the most complex and hazardous volcanic phenomena, yet their reconstruction is often hindered by incomplete preservation of proximal deposits and temporal variability of eruptive processes. The Neapolitan Yellow Tuff (NYT) eruption, one of the largest events at the Campi Flegrei caldera (southern Italy), represents a key case study for understanding the dynamics of large explosive eruptions, but its stratigraphy, magnitude, and eruptive mechanisms remain debated. Here we present a comprehensive reappraisal of the NYT eruption based on an integrated synthesis of previous studies and new lithostratigraphic, textural, geochemical, and geochronological data collected across a wide proximal-to-distal transect. Our revised stratigraphic framework identifies four main Eruptive Units (EUs), which were fed by multiple, compositionally distinct, magma batches. A new high-precision, weighted-mean age of 13.98 ± 0.14 ka is proposed. The results indicate that magma fragmentation was predominantly magmatic, involving a volatile-rich and mechanically fragile magma, with limited evidence for sustained phreatomagmatic-driven fragmentation. The eruption progressed through pulsatory phases, with alternating sustained columns and pyroclastic density currents in the first three EUs and a prolonged stage dominated by pyroclastic density currents in EU4. This behaviour reflects progressive changes in magma supply and conduit dynamics. The total erupted volume is re-estimated between 16 and 20 km3 Dense Rock Equivalent (DRE), significantly lower than previous reconstructions, with caldera collapse likely localized in the Agnano Plain sector. This revised model highlights the importance of integrating multi-scale datasets to resolve the complexity of caldera-forming eruptions and provides a robust framework for interpreting similar eruptive systems worldwide, with direct implications for volcanic hazard assessment in densely populated caldera environments.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
