A multiparameter approach to volcano monitoring based on 4D analyses of seismo-volcanic and acoustic signals: The 2008 Mt. Etna eruption

Abstract

Volcanic tremor and low frequency events, together with infrasound signals, can represent important precursory phenomena of eruptive activity because of their strict relationship with eruptive mechanisms and with fluid flows through the volcano's feeding system. Important variations of these seismo-volcanic and infrasound signals, recorded at Mt. Etna volcano, occurred both in the medium- and short-term before the eruption, that took place on 13 May 2008. The most significant changes were observed in the frequency content and location of LP events, as well as in volcanic tremor location, that allowed us to track the magma pathway feeding the 2008 eruptive activity. The infrasound showed three different families of events linked to the activity of the three active vents: North-East crater, South-East crater and the eruptive fissure. The seismic and infrasonic variations reported, corroborated by ground deformations variations, help to develop a quantitative prediction and early-warning system for effusive and or explosive eruptions.