Can flank instability at Stromboli volcano provide insights into precursory patterns of eruptions?

Abstract

By 30 December, 2002 a flank collapse affected the Sciara del Fuoco on the western slope of Stromboli volcano, Italy. To characterize this landslide-prone area for hazard mitigation purposes, Falsaperla et al. [2006] followed a multidisciplinary approach, merging geo-structural observations with visual images (taken by a video-camera surveillance network and vertical ortho-photos) and seismic data recorded throughout the continuous monitoring of the volcano. The study combined these different data types in a complementary framework to assess how and where the Sciara del Fuoco morphology changed. The time span investigated ranged from 2002 to 2004. We present here the results of that study, which identified the zones affected by sliding episodes and highlighted their changes in time. The evidence of the regression of the upper landslide scarp toward the summit craters over the years leads us to speculate about precursory patterns of eruptive activity linked to the progression of flank instability.