VST2002 cruise

The VST2002 research cruise, carried out on board the R/V Urania from 29 August to 19 September 2002, focused on the sedimentology and volcanology of selected areas in the south-eastern and central portion of the Tyrrhenian Sea. In the south-eastern Tyrrhenian Sea, the cruise investigated the slopes that surround the volcanic Stromboli Island, the Stromboli sea valley and the eastern portion of the Marsili Basin. The aim of the research was the detailed study of the architectural elements and the sedimentary facies of the eastern portion of the Stromboli valley and of the Marsili Basin and test whether the deep submarine areas around Stromboli Island retained information related to its explosive eruptions and collapse events. In the Central Tyrrhenian Sea, the cruise focused on the study of the Vavilov Basin and the Vavilov volcanic seamount that develops in its centre. Dredging was carried out on the summit and flanks of the Vavilov edifice to obtain samples from the different volcanic elements that compose the 2,800 m tall and 15 km wide seamount. The expected result, through geochemical study of lava samples, is the framing of the Vavilov seamount volcanism in the geodynamic evolution of the Tyrrhenian Sea. In addition, high resolution seismic lines and gravity-core samples were collected in the Vavilov abyssal plain. During the 21-day expedition 29 dredge hauls and 16 gravity cores were recovered.