Buried volcanic structures of the Naples and Gaeta Gulfs (Southern Italy). New insights into the volcano-tectonic setting of the Campania-Latium continental margin

An integrated analysis of volcanic structures located in the subsurface of Naples and Gaeta Gulfs (Eastern Tyrrhenian margin, Southern Italy) based on the geologic interpretation of seismic profiles is herein presented. This study is aimed at improving the seismo-stratigraphic knowledge of volcanic structures occurring in this sector of the Tyrrhenian offshore and at highlighting the relationships between these structures and the regional tectonics of Campania-Latium offshore. The Pithecusa volcano, located in the Northern Campania offshore, the buried volcanic structures occurring in the Procida Channel and the Ischia Bank, a wide relict volcanic edifice of the Ischia south-eastern offshore have been analyzed. The Pithecusa volcano is related with the Massico normal faults down throwing the volcanic acoustic basement. A large, previously unknown, buried volcanic edifice has been identified offshore the Miliscola town (northern Phlegraean Fields offshore), while a smaller buried volcanic edifice has been recognized in the Procida Channel. The tectonic control on these volcanoes is not completely clear and additional geological interpretations are still in progress. The Ischia Bank is probably controlled by NE-SW striking normal faults.