Geophysical precursors of the July-August 2019 paroxysmal eruptive phase and their implications for Stromboli volcano (Italy) monitoring

Two paroxysmal explosions occurred at Stromboli volcano in the Summer 2019, the first of which,
on July 3, caused one fatality and some injuries. Within the 56 days between the two paroxysmal explosions, effusive activity from vents located in the summit area of the volcano occurred. No significant changes in routinely monitored parameters were detected before the paroxysmal explosions. However, we have calculated the polarization and the fractal dimension time series of the seismic signals from November 15, 2018 to September 15, 2019 and we have recognized variations that preceded the paroxysmal activity. In addition, we have defined a new parameter, based on RSAM estimation, related to the Very Long Period events, called VLP size, by means of which we have noticed significant variations through the whole month preceding the paroxysm of July 3. In the short term, we have analyzed the signals of a borehole strainmeter installed on the island, obtaining automatic triggers 10 minutes and 7.5 minutes before the July 3 and the August 28 paroxysms, respectively.
The results of this study highlight mid-term seismic precursors of paroxysmal activity and provide valuable evidence for the development of an early warning system for paroxysmal explosions based on strainmeter measurements

This work benefited from funds of the EU (DG ECHO) Project EVE n. 826292 and was partially supported by the project INGV-FISR-2017 “Sale Operative Integrate e Reti di Monitoraggio del Futuro: l’INGV 2.0”. The data used in this study were provided by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (Osservatorio Vesuviano, Osservatorio Etneo). The authors are also grateful to the Italian Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri- Dipartimento della Protezione Civile (DPC) for supporting the monitoring activities at Stromboli.

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