Ground deformations in the Island of Pantelleria (Italy): Insights into the dynamic of the current intereruptive period

Abstract

The Island of Pantelleria, located between the coasts of Sicily (Italy) and Tunisia, is deforming due to volcanic and tectonic activity. Here we use electro-optical distance meter, leveling, GPS, and differential interferometry synthetic aperture radar data to constrain the inter-eruptive deformation pattern. We observe subsidence affecting the main caldera of Pantelleria, in the central southern sector of the island. Subsidence is mainly related to hydrothermal cooling and/or fluid withdrawal from a shallow (4 km below sea level) magma chamber located beneath the caldera. The relationships between the caldera area and the remnant part of the island are also investigated through a review of petrographic, geochemical, and structural data.