Dike deflection modelling for inferring magma pressure and withdrawal, with application to Etna 2001 case

Abstract

We studied the stress effects of the topography load on dike propagation by considering the results from analogue experiments; in addition, we refined the results by applying numerical simulations using the finite element method (FEM) in order to also consider the medium rheology and real topography. We investigated the dike deflection observed during the final dike emplacement accompanying Etna’s 2001 eruption. We cross-related the information on the position of the dike from ground deformation modelling with the numerical simulation results with the aim of estimating the final excess pressure of the dike when it started to deflect, which proved to be about 4-8 MPa. Assuming that the pressure decreases linearly with the volume of magma moving from the chamber into the dike, we estimated 7-15 MPa as the initial overpressure accumulated at the intermediate magma chamber before its breakout. Although the previous modelling overestimated the stress, the approach presented here leads to infer a compatible stress with the strength of the rocks.