SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
Figure S1. Scheme of procedure used for the construction of frequency maps. a) Example of 10 x
10 km grid used to individuate the different nodes. In order to make visible the grid, the space
among nodes is not to scale. b) Superimposition of ash dispersal map to the grid (Mercato map is
showed as an example). The nodes included in the dispersal area have automatically assigned the
value 1, while the nodes external to the dispersal area have value 0. c) Example of superimposition
of different ash dispersal maps. The nodes included in the area of superimposition have
automatically assigned the value 2, the nodes included in only one of the two dispersal maps have
automatically assigned the value 1, while the nodes external to the dispersal area have value 0. d)
Result of the superimposition of all the nine ash dispersal maps with ranking of the different areas
based on number of superimpositions of different maps.
1
Table S1 – Main characteristics of the nine eruptions considered for this study. Ages are from
Zanchetta et al. (2011). Distal areas are calculated from Figure 2 of the main text. san= sanidine;
plg=plagioclase; cpx=clinopyroxene; bt=biotite; amph=amphibole; lc=leucite.
Eruption
Age
Type and
name
(cal yr
physical
(Source)
BP)
parameters
Plinian (VEI 5).
Mercato
(SommaVesuvius)
8540 ±
50
Volume
Tot. Fall - 2.3
km3 (max. 7.4
km3)
PDCs - 0.2 km3
A10 - 2150 km2
Distal - 160,000
km2
Gabellotto
(Lipari
island)
Agnano M.
Spina
(AMS)Astroni
group
(Campi
Flegrei)
8550 ±
80
Vulcanian (VEI
3-4)
Volume
Unknown
A10 - unknown
4240 ±
90 /
4680 ±
100
Distal - 115,500
km2
AMS: Plinian
(VEI 5)
Astroni:
Subplinian (VEI
4)
Volume AMS
Tot. Fall - 1.78
km3
PDCs - 0.5 km3
A10 - 830 km2
Volume Astroni
Total - 1.02 km3
A10 - not
available
Distal - 110,600
km2
Proximal deposits
Lithology and
Isopachs and references
Composition
Three main
eruptive phases
separated by two
erosive surfaces.
Magmatic
fragmentation.
At least eight fall
beds to the east
with interbedded
pyroclastic density
currents (PDCs)
PDC deposits and
minor fall beds,
which form a
pumice cone
AMS: Fall deposits
(to the northeast)
comprise several
massive, poorly
sorted layers of
yellowish pumice
interbedded by
PDC deposits.
Astroni: Seven
eruptive units
separated by
erosive surfaces
and thin paleosols.
Mainly PDC
deposits with
interbedding of
minor fall beds,
being the last the
thickest and the
most dispersed.
Predominant
phreatomagmatic
fragmentation.
Highly vesicular
pumice, with
spherical or tubular
vesicles. Shards have
glassy groundmass.
Fragments of leucitebearing lavas
dominate the lithic
content of the
proximal deposits.
Highly evolved Kphonolite.
Restricted range of
variability both in
glass and whole
rock.
Highly vesicular,
white, aphyric
pumice. Shards have
glassy groundmass.
Lava fragments
dominate the lithic
component.
Homogeneous
rhyolites.
AMS: Highly
vesicular, light grey,
porphyritic
(san+plg+cpx)
pumice. Shards have
mainly glassy
groundmass. Ash
tuff and
hydrotermally
altered lava
fragments dominate
the lithic component.
Trachytes to alkalitrachites.
Astroni: Highly to
moderately vesicular,
light grey,
moderately
porphyritic
(san+plg+cpx)
pumice. Shards have
mainly glassy
groundmass. Lava
fragments dominate
the lithic component.
Zanchetta et al. (2011), Mele
et al. (2011)
Isopachs not available
Pichler (1980), Crisci et al
(1991)
Astroni isopachs not
available
Rosi and Sbrana (1987), de
Vita et al. (1999), Isaia et al.
(2004)
2
Trachytes to alkalitrachites.
Plinian (VEI 5).
Avellino
(SommaVesuvius)
3810 ±
60
Volume
White fall - 0.3
km3
Grey fall - 1.0
km3
PDCs - 1.0 km3
A10 - 2400 km2
Distal - 107,300
km2
FL
(Mount
Etna)
3370 ±
40
Subplinian (VEI
4)
Volume
Not assessed
A10 - not
available
Three main
eruptive phases
separated by fine
ash beds.
Magmatic
fragmentation
driven the first two
eruptive phases,
while
phreatomagmatic
fragmentation
driven the final
third phase.
Fall beds (to the
northeast)
dominate the first
two eruptive
phases, while
PDCs dominate the
final phase.
Only fall deposits
described in the
proximal areas.
Magmatic
fragmentation.
Distal - 94,800
km2
AP3
(SommaVesuvius)
2830 ±
50
Subplinian (VEI
3-4)
Volume
Fall - 0.15 km3
A10 - 35 km2
Fall deposits
comprise one
lapilli bed
sandwiched
between two
accretionary lapillibearing fine ash
beds.
Distal - 77,400
km2
Plinian (VEI 5).
Pompeii
(SommaVesuvius)
August
24th25th
79 AD
Volume
White fall - 1.1
km3
Grey fall - 1.8
km3
PDCs - 0.8 km3
2
A10 - 3400 km
Two main eruptive
phases. Fall beds
(to the southeast)
dominate the first
eruptive phase,
with minor flow
deposits
interlayered in the
fallout phase.
PDCs dominate the
second eruptive
Highly to moderately
vesicular,
porphyritic, white
and grey pumice.
White shards have a
glassy groundmass,
while the grey ones
have crystalline
groundmass (mainly
sanidine and
clinopyroxene
microlites).
Carbonate and lava
fragments dominate
the lithic
components.
White pumices are
phonolites, while the
grey pumice are
tephriphonolites.
Moderately
vesicular, dark
brown to dark grey
porphyritic (pl+cpx)
scoria. Lava
fragments constitute
the lithic component.
Shards have
crystalline
groundmass.
Mugearites to
Benmoreites.
Poorly vesicular,
dark brown,
subaphyric
(cpx+bt+pl±san)
scoria. Lava
fragments dominate
the lithic component.
Shards have glassy
groundmass with
sparse leucite microcrystals.
Tephri-phonolites.
Highly vesicular,
porphyritic (san)
white pumice at the
base, followed by
porphyritic
(san+cpx) grey
pumice.
Carbonate and lava
fragments dominate
the lithic
components.
Sulpizio et al. (2010a, b)
Not available
Coltelli et al. (2000)
Andronico and Cioni (2002)
Sigurdsson et al. (1985)
3
AD 472
(SommaVesuvuis)
472 AD
Distal - 91,200
km2
phase. Magmatic
fragmentation
driven the first
eruptive phase,
while
phreatomagmatic
fragmentation
driven the second
eruptive phase.
Subplinian (VEI
4)
Three main phases
separated by ash
beds. Magmatic
fragmentation
driven the first two
eruptive phases,
while
phreatomagmatic
fragmentation
driven the final
third phase.
The first eruptive
phase contains
seven fall beds,
while the second
eruptive phase
contains the two
main fall beds of
the eruption.
PDC deposits are
abundant in the
second and third
eruptive phases.
Volume
Fall - 1.38 km3
PDCs - 0.4 km3
A10 - 520 km2
Distal - 116,500
km2
AD 1631
(SommaVesuvius)
Subplinian (VEI
4)
Volume
Fall - 0.21 km3
PDCs - 0.2 km3
A10 - 170 km2
Distal - 20,800
km2
Initial phase
dominated by fall
deposits (to the
east), while PDC
deposits dominate
the final phase.
Magmatic
fragmentation
driven the first
phase, while
phreatomagmatic
fragmentation
driven the final
one.
White pumices are
Na-phonolites,
whereas grey
pumices are tephriphonolites.
Phonolitic shards
have a glassy
groundmass with
minor leucite
microphenocrysts,
while tephriphonolitic shards are
microlite-rich
(cpx+amph+lc).
Highly to moderately
vesicular, greenishgrey, porphyritic
(lc+pyr+san) pumice
fragments at the
base. Highly to
incipiently vesicular,
dark grey,
porphyritic
(lc+pyr+san) scoria
upward.
Lava fragments
dominate the lithic
component in the
first eruptive phase,
while carbonates are
abundant in the
second and third
eruptive phases.
Greenish-grey
pumice: tephriphonolites. Dark
grey scoria:
Leucititic–tephrite–
phonolites.
Highly to moderately
vesicular, light grey,
porphyritic
(lc+pyr+san) scoria.
Moderately to
incipiently vesicular,
dark grey,
porphyritic
(lc+pyr+san) scoria.
Light grey scoria:
tephri-phonolites.
Dark grey scoria:
phono-tephrites.
Sulpizio et al. (2005)
Rosi et al. (1993)
4
Table S2. Average major element composition of ash layers used in this work. Mercato data: L. G.
Monticchio Wulf et al. (2004); lake Ohrid Wagner et al. (2008); MD90-918 Caron et al. (2012);
IN68-5 Calanchi and Dinelli (2008); RF95-11, YD97-09 Lowe et al. (2007); GT2 Sulpizio et al.
(2009); Pian di Pecore Sulpizio et al. (2008); KET82-18 Paterne et al. (1988). GabellottoFiumebianco: MD90-917 Siani et al. (2004); MD90-918 Caron et al. (2012); TIR2000 (Di Roberto
et al. (2008); KET8003, KET8004, KET8011 Paterne et al. (1988). Agnano M. Spina-Astroni
group: Gran Sasso, Matese Zanchetta et al. (2012); MD90-917 Siani et al. (2004); PAL94-77,
RF95-11, RF95-12, RF95-14 Lowe et al. (2007); IN68-9, IN68-22, PAL94-8, CM92-42, IN6821,
PAL94-66 Calanchi and Dinelli (2008); L. G. di Monticchio Wulf et al. (2004); lake Shkodra
Sulpizio et al. (2010c). Avellino: RF95-11, RF95-13, IN68-9, lake of Nemi, lake Accesa, lake
Mezzano, Pian di Pecore, Basento (Sulpizio et al. (2008); lake Shkodra Sulpizio et al. (2010c);
Matese, Velino, Meta Zanchetta et al. (2012); L. G. di Monticchio Wulf et al. (2004); Sulmona
Giaccio et al. (2009). FL: lake Shkodra Sulpizio et al. (2010c); lake Ohrid Wagner et al. (2008);
lake Pergusa Sadori and Narcisi (2001); GT2 Sulpizio et al. (2009). AP3: Basento Sulpizio et al.
(2008); L. G. Monticchio Wulf et al. (2004); TIR2000 (Di Roberto et al. (2008); RF93-30, RF9513, RF95-14, RF95-12 Calanchi and Dinelli (2008). AD 472: L. G. di Monticchio Wulf et al.
(2004); lake Shkodra Sulpizio et al. (2010c); Sulmona Giaccio et al. (2009); lake Ohrid Sulpizio et
al. (2010d). AD 79: C45 Munno and Petrosino (2004); GT2 Sulpizio et al. (2009); RC9-191 Keller
et al. (1978). AD 1631: L. G. di Monticchio Wulf et al. (2004).
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9