Observing Etna volcano dynamics through seismic and deformation patterns

Abstract Geophysical data provide the chance to investigate a volcano’s dynamics; considerable information can especially be gleaned on the stress and strain patterns accompanying the internal processes and the effect of magma ascent on the main structures triggering earthquakes. Here, we analysed i...

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Main Authors: L. Scarfì, M. Aloisi, G. Barberi, H. Langer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39639-9
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author L. Scarfì
M. Aloisi
G. Barberi
H. Langer
author_facet L. Scarfì
M. Aloisi
G. Barberi
H. Langer
author_sort L. Scarfì
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Geophysical data provide the chance to investigate a volcano’s dynamics; considerable information can especially be gleaned on the stress and strain patterns accompanying the internal processes and the effect of magma ascent on the main structures triggering earthquakes. Here, we analysed in detail the seismicity recorded over the last two decades on Etna volcano (southern Italy), focusing on earthquakes distribution and focal mechanism clustering; the ground deformation pattern affecting the volcanic edifice with the inflation and deflation phases was also examined. Analysed data were compared in order to shed light on possible relationships with the volcanic activity and to better understand the internal dynamics of the volcano over time. Significant steps during or shortly before major eruptions in the seismic strain release and ground deformation temporal series highlight a straightforward relationship between seismicity occurring at shallow level, inflation/deflation and volcanism. Furthermore, at depths greater than 5–7 km, down to about 20 km, the orientation of the P- and T-axes clearly indicate the existence of a pressure source in the central part of the volcano. All the results underline that the stress field related to the volcano plumbing system interferes with the regional field, partly overriding it.
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spelling doaj.art-26dbc56679934d049a3493e6ba37548e2023-11-20T09:12:50ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-08-0113111510.1038/s41598-023-39639-9Observing Etna volcano dynamics through seismic and deformation patternsL. Scarfì0M. Aloisi1G. Barberi2H. Langer3Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia – Osservatorio EtneoIstituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia – Osservatorio EtneoIstituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia – Osservatorio EtneoIstituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia – Osservatorio EtneoAbstract Geophysical data provide the chance to investigate a volcano’s dynamics; considerable information can especially be gleaned on the stress and strain patterns accompanying the internal processes and the effect of magma ascent on the main structures triggering earthquakes. Here, we analysed in detail the seismicity recorded over the last two decades on Etna volcano (southern Italy), focusing on earthquakes distribution and focal mechanism clustering; the ground deformation pattern affecting the volcanic edifice with the inflation and deflation phases was also examined. Analysed data were compared in order to shed light on possible relationships with the volcanic activity and to better understand the internal dynamics of the volcano over time. Significant steps during or shortly before major eruptions in the seismic strain release and ground deformation temporal series highlight a straightforward relationship between seismicity occurring at shallow level, inflation/deflation and volcanism. Furthermore, at depths greater than 5–7 km, down to about 20 km, the orientation of the P- and T-axes clearly indicate the existence of a pressure source in the central part of the volcano. All the results underline that the stress field related to the volcano plumbing system interferes with the regional field, partly overriding it.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39639-9
spellingShingle L. Scarfì
M. Aloisi
G. Barberi
H. Langer
Observing Etna volcano dynamics through seismic and deformation patterns
Scientific Reports
title Observing Etna volcano dynamics through seismic and deformation patterns
title_full Observing Etna volcano dynamics through seismic and deformation patterns
title_fullStr Observing Etna volcano dynamics through seismic and deformation patterns
title_full_unstemmed Observing Etna volcano dynamics through seismic and deformation patterns
title_short Observing Etna volcano dynamics through seismic and deformation patterns
title_sort observing etna volcano dynamics through seismic and deformation patterns
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39639-9
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AT hlanger observingetnavolcanodynamicsthroughseismicanddeformationpatterns