Imaging the multi‐level magma reservoir at Mt. Etna volcano (Italy)

Abstract

The continuous GPS network operating on Mt. Etna with its 36 stations is currently one of the largest worldwide. The aim of this network is the evaluation of volcanic hazard and the modelling of the active sources. In this paper, we propose an in‐depth analysis and modelling of continuous GPS data collected at Mt. Etna from May 2008 to December 2010. The analyzed period has been divided into four different coherent phases: 1) 14 May 2008–02 August 2008 (deflation of the entire GPS network); 2) 02 August 2008–14 June 2009 (deflation of the summit area and inflation at lower heights); 3) 14 June 2009–21 May 2010 (inflation of the entire GPS network); 4) 21 May 2010–31 December 2010 (inflation at medium and low heights and end of the inflation in the summit area). Analytical models indicate a non-uniform deformation style revealing spaced sources acting at different time on different segments of a multi-level magma reservoir. The Etnean plumbing system imaged here is depicted as an elongated magma reservoir that extends from the volcano body downwards to about 6.5 km below sea level (b.s.l.), sloping slightly towards the North-West, with storage volumes located at about 6.5, 2.0 and 0.0 km (b.s.l.). The changes in position of the modelled pressure sources during the analyzed time intervals indicate that, throughout the 2008 eruptive period, the deformation field was mostly driven by the upward migration of magma. On the other hand, the pattern of deformation recorded after the end of the eruption strongly suggests a significant contribution of the magma overpressure generated by the gas boiling, thus outlining the importance of volatiles content in magma.