Magma uprising and flank dynamics on Mount Etna volcano, studied using GPS data (1994–1995)

Abstract

Ground deformation occurring on Mount Etna from 1994 to 1995 is analyzed in this paper. This period was characterized by intense volcanic activity at the four summit craters, with frequent strombolian activity, fire fountains, and emplacement of several new lava flows. Four GPS surveys were carried out during this time, two as routinely planned each year and an additional two in 1995 to acquire more data to follow the activity at the NE Crater. The comparisons between GPS surveys are reported in terms of horizontal and vertical displacements of each station and in terms of areal dilatation and principal strain axes. During the period considered in this work, a trend of increasing areal dilatation of the volcano (at a rate of about 5 mstrain/yr) was recognized; it was briefly interrupted by a small contraction (about 2 mstrain), in the autumn of 1995, when volcanic activity at the summit craters began. In detail, the strain distribution of the network is analyzed; it allows the detection of areas showing anomalous behavior, such as the summit zone or the Pernicana fault. Inversions of the ground displacement vectors have been performed by appropriately combining numerical and analytical approaches. Results of the inversions suggest structures defining an eastward and southward sliding of the eastern and southeastern sectors of Mount Etna.