The deformation offshore of Mount Etna as imaged by multichannel seismic reflection profiles

Argnani, Andrea; Mazzarini, Francesco; Bonazzi, C.; Bisson, Marina; Isola, Ilaria

doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2012.04.016

Cited by 36 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…Etna's mobile flank. Additionally, the occurrence of the ramp of a 5 km deep decollement, triggered by magmatic intrusion, does not find any evidence from seismic data along the Ionian offshore, where only extensional structures have been observed [ Argnani and Bonazzi , ; Argnani et al ., ]. As regards the on‐land fold structures occurring southward they are older than the formation of the present Mt.…”

Section: Mt Etna's Tectonic Setting and Background Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

A comprehensive interpretative model of slow slip events on Mt. Etna's eastern flank

Mattia

Bruno

Caltabiano

et al. 2015

Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst.

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Starting off from a review of previous literature on kinematic models of the unstable eastern flank of Mt. Etna, we propose a new model. The model is based on our analysis of a large quantity of multidisciplinary data deriving from an extensive and diverse network of INGV monitoring devices deployed along the slopes of the volcano. Our analysis had a twofold objective: first, investigating the origin of the recently observed slow-slip events on the eastern flank of Mt. Etna; and second, defining a general kinematic model for the instability of this area of the volcano. To this end, we investigated the 2008-2013 period using data collected from different geochemical, geodetic, and seismic networks, integrated with the tectonic and geologic features of the volcano and including the volcanic activity during the observation period. The complex correlations between the large quantities of multidisciplinary data have given us the opportunity to infer, as outlined in this work, that the fluids of volcanic origin and their interrelationship with aquifers, tectonic and morphological features play a dominant role in the large scale instability of the eastern flank of Mt. Etna. Furthermore, we suggest that changes in the strain distribution due to volcanic inflation/deflation cycles are closely connected to changes in shallow depth fluid circulation. Finally, we propose a general framework for both the short and long term modeling of the large flank displacements observed.

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Section: Mt Etna's Tectonic Setting and Background Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

A comprehensive interpretative model of slow slip events on Mt. Etna's eastern flank

Mattia

Bruno

Caltabiano

et al. 2015

Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst.

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“…The main criticism to the concept of a widespread east flank instability is that this would cause a clear evidence at its front, where the observation of compressional structures such as anticlines is expected. However, even the latest off‐shore geophysical investigations (Argnani et al 2011; Chiocci et al 2011) provide results that cannot be directly considered as clear signatures of the seaward sliding of the east flank, again showing the absence of compressional anticlines (Pareschi et al 2006). While Chiocci et al (2011) focus more on the role of a large scale off‐shore gravitational instability that triggers the movements observed in the subaerial flank, conclusions by Argnani et al (2011) are much more articulated on the different times in which the observed structures have been active.…”

Section: Mount Etna Deformationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, even the latest off‐shore geophysical investigations (Argnani et al 2011; Chiocci et al 2011) provide results that cannot be directly considered as clear signatures of the seaward sliding of the east flank, again showing the absence of compressional anticlines (Pareschi et al 2006). While Chiocci et al (2011) focus more on the role of a large scale off‐shore gravitational instability that triggers the movements observed in the subaerial flank, conclusions by Argnani et al (2011) are much more articulated on the different times in which the observed structures have been active. However, both Chiocci et al (2011) and Argnani et al (2011) agree that the morphological complexity of the Ionian continental margin and regional tectonics have to be taken into account to explain the evolution of Mount Etna.…”

Section: Mount Etna Deformationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While Chiocci et al (2011) focus more on the role of a large scale off-shore gravitational instability that triggers the movements observed in the subaerial flank, conclusions by Argnani et al (2011) are much more articulated on the different times in which the observed structures have been active. However, both Chiocci et al (2011) and Argnani et al (2011) agree that the morphological complexity of the Ionian continental margin and regional tectonics have to be taken into account to explain the evolution of Mount Etna.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Volcanic deformation and flank instability due to magmatic sources and frictional rheology: the case of Mount Etna

Cianetti

Giunchi

Casarotti

2012

Geophysical Journal International

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SUMMARY The overall picture of Mount Etna deformation emerging since a couple of decades of geodetic surveys shows effects of magma accumulation, characterized by inflation/deflation cycle, accompanied by a sliding instability of the southeast flank, whose manifestation is an increase in the horizontal deformation away from the volcano summit. This is a very interesting case to test whether advanced models, taking into account topography, internal structure and frictional rheology, may contribute to a better understanding of the complex interplay among mechanical response, magmatic activity and gravitational load occurring in a volcanic system. Using finite element numerical models we make predictions of surface displacements associated with a simple expansion source and with a dike‐like vertical discontinuity. A new methodology is developed to initialize the lithostatic stress field according to the material and geometrical complexities of the models considered. Our results show that, while an amplification of the horizontal displacement can be easily obtained up to a maximum distance of 10 km from the source, we have not been able to find any configuration to extend further this signal. For the case of Mount Etna this suggests that the large horizontal displacements observed in the east flank along the coast cannot be directly related to magma accumulation below the volcano’s summit.

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“…The TFS is dissecting the eastern flank of Mount Etna and is oriented in NNW‐SSE direction, and may even be linked to the much larger Malta Escarpment as some early work suggests [ Kieffer , ; Monaco and Tortorici , ]. Although recent studies question a direct connection of the TFS and the Malta escarpment being the faults themselves involved in the seaward motion of the eastern flank [ Bonforte and Puglisi , ], the TFS is identified as a crustal scale feature with an origin different than from gravitational sliding [ Argnani et al ., ]. Our testable question then was, how is the interplay between flank acceleration, gravitational sliding, and the movement along the crustal scale TFS that is dissecting the east flank of Mount Etna?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental study of the interplay between magmatic rift intrusion and flank instability with application to the 2001 Mount Etna eruption

et al. 2014

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Mount Etna volcano is subject to transient magmatic intrusions and flank movement. The east flank of the edifice, in particular, is moving eastward and is dissected by the Timpe Fault System. The relationship of this eastward motion with intrusions and tectonic fault motion, however, remains poorly constrained. Here we explore this relationship by using analogue experiments that are designed to simulate magmatic rift intrusion, flank movement, and fault activity before, during, and after a magmatic intrusion episode. Using particle image velocimetry allows for a precise temporal and spatial analysis of the development and activity of fault systems. The results show that the occurrence of rift intrusion episodes has a direct effect on fault activity. In such a situation, fault activity may occur or may be hindered, depending on the interplay of fault displacement and flank acceleration in response to dike intrusion. Our results demonstrate that a complex interplay may exist between an active tectonic fault system and magmatically induced flank instability. Episodes of magmatic intrusion change the intensity pattern of horizontal flank displacements and may hinder or activate associated faults. We further compare our results with the GPS data of the Mount Etna 2001 eruption and intrusion. We find that syneruptive displacement rates at the Timpe Fault System have differed from the preeruptive or posteruptive periods, which shows a good agreement of both the experimental and the GPS data. Therefore, understanding the flank instability and flank stability at Mount Etna requires consideration of both tectonic and magmatic forcing.

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The deformation offshore of Mount Etna as imaged by multichannel seismic reflection profiles

Cited by 36 publications

References 60 publications

A comprehensive interpretative model of slow slip events on Mt. Etna's eastern flank

A comprehensive interpretative model of slow slip events on Mt. Etna's eastern flank

Volcanic deformation and flank instability due to magmatic sources and frictional rheology: the case of Mount Etna

Experimental study of the interplay between magmatic rift intrusion and flank instability with application to the 2001 Mount Etna eruption

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