Transpressive strain on the Lipari–Vulcano volcanic complex and dynamics of the “La Fossa” cone (Aeolian Islands, Sicily) revealed by GPS surveys on a dense network

Abstract

Ground deformation resulting from the last two GPS surveys carried out in March 2006 and September 2007 on the Lipari–Vulcano volcanic complex are analyzed. Data inversion was performed by Genetic Algorithms approach, using the horizontal strain measured on 258 GPS baselines, in order to avoid bias due to the ambiguity in fixing the reference system and to disregard the vertical deformation of the “La Fossa” cone. There are two networks in this area: the main Lipari–Vulcano network and the denser Vulcano–Nord one. Surveying strategies adopted for the main network during the latest surveys allowed long baselines, from Lipari and Vulcano to the surrounding permanent stations in the southern Tyrrhenian, to be processed with reliable accuracy. The fast-static strategy was instead adopted to survey the Vulcano–Nord network. Data from the main Lipari–Vulcano network has been processed in the ITRF05 frame and also in a local reference frame together with the Vulcano–Nord data. A significant Northward motion of Vulcano island with respect to the ITRF05 has been detected. This motion abruptly decreases in the northern part of Vulcano, suggesting a decoupling of the main Vulcano island from the rest of the volcanic complex. The analysis in the local reference frame evidenced a relative SSE-ward motion of Lipari and Northern part of Vulcano, with respect to the central and southern Vulcano. This comparison also highlights a local uplift of the “La Fossa” cone. In addition, a strain tensor analysis was performed, which highlighted a main NNE–SSW contraction and a minor ESE–WNW extension detected only on the southern part of Vulcano. This results are in agreement with a transpressive kinematics of the Lipari–Vulcano volcanic complex, with a main dextral component of displacement along a NW–SE striking structure.