Interaction of volcano-tectonic fault with magma storage, intrusion and flank instability: A thirty years study at Mt. Etna volcano

A key issue on active volcanoes is to investigate the position and characteristics of the magma reservoirs over time. The aim is to better understand the crustal magma transfer, therefore also to define the volcanic hazard and plan the mitigation strategies. Mt. Etna volcano is characterized by a lively eruptive activity with frequent major flank eruptions that can be both purely effusive and explosive-effusive. This volcano has been monitored over 40 years by ground deformation measurements. The studies and modeling of the eruptive processes through these data have mainly concerned single eruptions and the recharge phases that preceded them. In this study, for the first time, we present four decades of numerous recharge periods modeled over time by using the same typology of measurements (geodetic baselines) and the same modeling method. This uniform approach enables tracking the location of magma storage in a robust and unambiguous way during its recharging, which causes the volcano to inflate. In particular, the recharging periods that preceded the main eruptive activities were investigated. The tracking of the source positions contributes to update the representation of the shallow-intermediate plumbing system (last 10 km). Moreover, as a new result, we highlight that the recharges preceding the explosive eruptions are accompanied by a deepening over time of the centroid of the pressure source. This result opens up new scenarios on the relationship between the position of the recharging storage and the subsequent eruptive style.

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Space-Time Evolution of Magma Storage and Transfer at Mt. Etna Volcano (Italy): The 2015-2016 Reawakening of Voragine Crater

Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems ◽

10.1002/2017gc007296 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 471-495 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Andrea Cannata ◽

Giuseppe Di Grazia ◽

Marisa Giuffrida ◽

Stefano Gresta ◽

Mimmo Palano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Evolution ◽

Space Time ◽

Magma Storage ◽

Etna Volcano ◽

Mt Etna ◽

Space Time Evolution

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Corrigendum to: ‘Constraints on the Nature and Evolution of the Magma Plumbing System of Mt. Etna Volcano (1991–2008) from a Combined Thermodynamic and Kinetic Modelling of the Compositional Record of Minerals’

Journal of Petrology ◽

10.1093/petrology/egw012 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 57 (3) ◽

pp. 621-622 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Maren Kahl ◽

Sumit Chakraborty ◽

Massimo Pompilio ◽

Fidel Costa

Keyword(s):

Kinetic Modelling ◽

Etna Volcano ◽

Plumbing System ◽

Magma Plumbing System ◽

Mt Etna ◽

Magma Plumbing

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Comparison of Integrated Geodetic Data Models and Satellite Radar Interferograms to Infer Magma Storage During the 1991–1993 Mt. Etna Eruption

Geodetic and Geophysical Effects Associated with Seismic and Volcanic Hazards ◽

10.1007/978-3-0348-7897-5_4 ◽

2004 ◽

pp. 1345-1357

Author(s):

Alessandro Bonaccorso ◽

Eugenio Sansosti ◽

Paolo Berardino

Keyword(s):

Data Models ◽

Geodetic Data ◽

Magma Storage ◽

Mt Etna ◽

Satellite Radar

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Finite element analysis of ground deformation due to dike intrusion with applications to Mt. Etna volcano

Annals of Geophysics ◽

10.4401/ag-3357 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 47 (5) ◽

Author(s):

A. Occhipinti Amato ◽

M. Elia ◽

A. Bonaccorso ◽

G. La Rosa

Keyword(s):

Ground Deformation ◽

Near Field ◽

Elastic Half Space ◽

Etna Volcano ◽

Element Analysis ◽

Dike Intrusion ◽

Dislocation Models ◽

Mt Etna ◽

Realistic Topography ◽

2001 Eruption

A 2D finite elements study was carried out to analyse the effects caused by dike intrusion inside a heterogeneous medium and with a realistic topography of Mt. Etna volcano. Firstly, the method (dimension domain, elements type) was calibrated using plane strain models in elastic half-spaces; the results were compared with those obtained from analytical dislocation models. Then the effects caused both by the topographic variations and the presence of multi-layered medium on the surface, were studied. In particular, an application was then considered to Mt. Etna by taking into account the real topography and the stratification deduced from seismic tomography. In these conditions, the effects expected by the dike, employed to model the 2001 eruption under simple elastic half-space medium conditions, were computed, showing that topography is extremely important, at least in the near field.

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Relationship between seismicity and eruptive activity at Mt. Etna volcano (Italy) as inferred from historical record analysis: the 1883 and 1971 case histories

Annals of Geophysics ◽

10.4401/ag-3981 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

Author(s):

R. Azzaro ◽

M. S. Barbano

Keyword(s):

Seismic Activity ◽

Historical Record ◽

Effusion Rate ◽

Etna Volcano ◽

Case Histories ◽

Seismic Behaviour ◽

Volcanic System ◽

Prolonged Duration ◽

Mt Etna ◽

A Minor

In this paper historical and recent seismological data are analysed in order to investigate the relationship between seismicity and eruptive phenomena at Mt. Etna volcano. The 1883 and 1971 case histories have been proposed because they are significant events in the recent history of the volcano regarding volcanic hazard and show very different evolutions of associated seismic activity and eruption dynamics. The first (1883) represents flank eruptions characterised by high seismic release, short duration and moderate effusion rate whereas the second (1971) can be ascribed to eruptions starting as summit or subterminal events and thereafter developing on the flanks with a minor level of seismicity, higher effusion rate and prolonged duration. The pattern of seismic activity during 1883 and 1971, as inferred from historical record analysis, and the different associated type of eruption may be a result of diverse stress conditions acting on the volcanic system. The interpretation of the seismic behaviour by considering historical eruptions in a systematic fashion will contribute to a clearer understanding of volcanic phenomena at Mt. Etna.

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Isochronal maps at Mt. Etna volcano (Italy): a simple and reliable tool for investigating large-scale heterogeneities

Annals of Geophysics ◽

10.4401/ag-3874 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 40 (5) ◽

Author(s):

G. Patanè ◽

C. Centamore ◽

S. La Delfa

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Volcanic Edifice ◽

P Wave ◽

Etna Volcano ◽

Low Velocity ◽

Seismic Stations ◽

Arrival Times ◽

Mt Etna ◽

Wave Arrival ◽

Feeding Systems

This paper analyses twelve etnean earthquakes which occurred at various depths and recorded at least by eleven stations. The seismic stations span a wide part of the volcanic edifice; therefore each set of direct P-wave arrival times at these stations can be considered appropriate for tracing isochronal curves. Using this simple methodology and the results obtained by previous studies the authors make a reconstruction of the geometry of the bodies inside the crust beneath Mt. Etna. These bodies are interpreted as a set of cooled magmatic masses, delimited by low-velocity discontinuities which can be considered, at present, the major feeding systems of the volcano.

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The geodynamics of Mt. Etna volcano during and after the 1984 eruption

Annals of Geophysics ◽

10.4401/ag-3739 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 42 (3) ◽

Author(s):

S. La Delfa ◽

G. Patanè ◽

C. Centamore

Keyword(s):

Complex Stress ◽

Focal Mechanisms ◽

Combined Effects ◽

Etna Volcano ◽

Locking Mechanism ◽

Mt Etna ◽

Complex Stress Field ◽

Seismic Networks ◽

Tectonic Forces ◽

The University

Data concerning M > 2.5 earthquakes that occurred at Mt. Etna volcano (Sicily, Italy) during the period April 15th - October 29th, 1984 are here presented and discussed. Only those events with reliable focal mechanisms (at least eight polarities) have been considered. Instrumental information comes from local seismic networks run by the University of Catania and the CNRS (Grenoble, France). The results obtained support the hypothesis that the seismicity and the volcanic activity at Mt. Etna are related to a complex stress field, due to the combined effects of the tectonics associated with the interaction between the African and Eurasian plates and the movement of magma into the crust. In particular, we hypothesize that the tectonic forces caused the end of the 1984 eruption, by means of a "locking mechanism".

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