A probabilistic volcanic risk evaluation for the Eastern flank of Mt. Etna

Catania

Mt. Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe with effusive and explosive eruptions, and intense seismic activity. Its effects on the densely urbanized area located on the Etna flanks were investigated within the PANACEA project (Probabilistic AssessmeNt of volCano-related multi-hazard and multi-risk at Mount EtnA), an innovative and extensive research project aimed to assess the risk consequent to lava flow, tephra fallout, and earthquake hazards.
In this work, we illustrate how seismic and volcanic probabilistic hazard scenarios have found their practical application in risk estimation for built-up environment, electric power systems and roads infrastructures. Risk scenarios were assessed at very different scales, from local to sub-regional, and have been done in case of lava flows, tephra fallouts and volcanic earthquakes, leaving out pyroclastic flows as they only affect the summit area of the volcano that is devoid of exposed elements.