Skip to main content
Earth, Planets and Space
Download PDF
  • Article
  • Published:

Continuous dynamic response along a pre-existing structural discontinuity induced by the 2001 eruption at Mt. Etna

Earth, Planets and Space volume 56, pages 447–456 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

The intrusive process of the 2001 Mt. Etna eruption was accompanied by marked ground deformation and relevant seismic activity recorded between 12 and 17 of July (INGV-CT, 2001). At the same time, extensometer data evidenced the re-activation of a dry surface failure zone on the high south-eastern sector of Mt. Etna; this fracture system, formed in 1989, has been related to the propagation of a shallow blade-like dike along a NNESSW discontinuity (Bonaccorso and Davis, 1993; Bianco et al., 1998). The NNW-SSE discontinuity represents a complex low cohesion structure in which deformation may concentrate. Displacement measurements recorded on the surface fracture and the constraints obtained from seismicity show that the intrusion phase of the 2001 eruption has forced the NNE-SSW structure to move continuously with prevalent left-lateral displacement from a depth of 2–2.5 km b. s. l. to the surface with a compositive slip of about 3–5 centimeters.

References

  • Aki, K., Generation and propagation of G waves from Niigata earthquake of June 16, 1964, II, Estimation of earthquake moment, released energy, and stress-strain drop from the G wave spectrum, Bull. Earthquake Res. Inst. Univ. Tokyo, 44, 73–88, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Azzaro, R., Seismicity and active tectonics along the Pernicana Fault, Mt. Etna (Italy), Acta Vulcanologica, 9, 7–14, 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bianco, F., M. Castellano, and G. Ventura, structural and seismological features of the 1989 syneruptive NNW-SSE fracture system at Mt. Etna, Geophys. Res. Lett., 25(10), 1545–1548, 1998.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bilham, R., Surface slip subsequent to the 24 November 1987 Superstition Hills, earthquake, California, monitored by digital creepmeters, Bull. Seism. Soc. Amer., 79(2), 425–450, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bilham, R. and S. Whitehead, Subsurface creep on the Hayward fault, Fremont, California, Geophys. Res. Lett., 24(11), 1307–1310, 1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Billi, A., V. Acocella, R. Funiciello, G. Giordano, G. Lanzafame, and M. Neri, Mechanisms for ground-surface fracturing and incipient slope failure associated with the 2001 eruption of Mt. Etna, Italy: analysis of ephemeral field data, J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 122, 281–294, 2003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonaccorso, A., Mt. Etna volcano: modelling of ground deformation patterns of recent eruptions and considerations on the associated precursors, J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 109, 99–108, 2001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonaccorso, A. and P. M. Davis, Dislocation modelling of the 1989 dike intrusion into the flank of Mount Etna, Sicily, J. Geophys. Res., 98, 4261–4268, 1993.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonaccorso, A. and D. Patanè, Shear response to an intrusive episode at Mt. Etna volcano (January 1998) inferred through seismic and tilt data, Tectonophysics, 334, 61–75, 2001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonaccorso, A., G. Falzone, B. Puglisi, R. Velardita, and L. Villari, Ground deformation geodimetric trilateration and borehole tiltmetry, in Mt Etna the 1989 Eruption, edited by F. Barberi, A. Bertagnini, and P. Landi, pp. 44–47, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonaccorso, A., O. Campisi, G. Falzone, S. Gambino, G. Laudani, B. Puglisi, M. Rossi, R. Velardita, and L. Villari, Etna ground deformation—EDM and continuous tilt monitoring, in Data Related to Eruptive Activity Unrest Phenomena and Other Observations on the Italian Active Volcanoes in 1991, edited by L. Villari, Acta Vulcanologica, 3, 324–326, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonaccorso, A., O. Campisi, G. Falzone, S. Gambino, G. Laudani, B. Puglisi, M. Rossi, R. Velardita, and L. Villari, Ground deformation monitoring on active volcanoes in Sicily (Italy), Cahiers du Centre Européen de Géodynamique et de Séismologie, 8, 349–357, Luxembourg, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonaccorso, A., F. Ferrucci, D. Patanè, and L. Villari, Fast deformation processes and volcanic activity at Mt Etna (Italy), J. Geophys. Res., 101, 17467–17480, 1996.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonaccorso, A., M. Aloisi, and M. Mattia, Dike emplacement forerunning the Etna July 2001 eruption modeled through continuous tilt and GPS data, Geophys. Res. Lett., 29, 13, 10.1029/2001GL014397, 2002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Budetta, G., M. Grimaldi, and C. Del Negro, Etna gravity and magnetic measurements, in Data Related to Eruptive Activity Unrest Phenomena and Other Observations on the Italian Active Volcanoes in 1991, edited by L. Villari, Acta Vulcanologica, 3, 330–333, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  • Budetta, G., M. Grimaldi, and C. Del Negro, Microgravity monitoring of the 1989 SSE Etna fracture, Acta Vulcanologica, 4, 115–118, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Del Negro, C. and F. Ferrucci, Magnetic history of a dike on Mount Etna (Sicily), Geophys. J. Int., 133, 451–458, 1998.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dvorak, J. J., A. T. Okamura, T. T. English, J. S. Nakata, M. K. Sako, W. T. Tanigawa, and K. M. Yamashita, Mechanical response of the south flank of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii, to intrusive events along the rift systems, Tectonophysics, 124, 193–209, 1986.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elsworth, D. and B. Voight, Dike intrusion as a trigger for large earthquakes and the failure of volcano flanks, J. Geophys. Res., 100, 6005–6024, 1995.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrucci, F., Seismic Monitoring at active volcanoes, in Monitoring active volcanoes, edited by B. McGuire, C. Kilburn, and J. Murray, pp. 60–92, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrucci, F., R. Rasà, G. Gaudiosi, R. Azzaro, and S. Imposa, Mt. Etna: a model for the 1989 eruption, J. Volcanol. Geothem. Res., 56, 35–56, 1993.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frazzetta, G. and G. Lanzafame, The NE and SE fracture systems, in Mt Etna the 1989 eruption, edited by F. Barberi, B. Bertagnini, and P. Landi, pp. 23–29, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gresta, S., L. Peruzza, D. Slejko, and G. DiStefano, Inferences on the main volcano-tectonic structures at Mt. Etna (Sicily) from a probabilistic seismological approach, J. Seismol., 2, 105–116, 1998.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, J. C. and K. Herbst, Thermoelastic strain and tilt revised, Geophys. Res. Lett., 4, 535–537, 1977.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirn, A., A. Nercessian, M. Sapin, F. Ferrucci, and G. Wittlinger, Seismic heterogeneity of Mt. Etna: structure and activity, Geophys. J. Int., 105, 139–153, 1991.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • INGV-CT, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Catania, Multidisciplinary approach yields insight into Mt. Etna eruption, EOS, 82(52), 653–656, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwatsubo, E. Y., J. W. Ewert, and T. L. Murray, Monitoring radial crack deformation by displacement meters, in Monitoring Volcanoes: Techniques and Strategies by the Staff of the Cascades Observatory, 1980–90, edited by J. W. Ewert and D. A. Swanson, pp. 95–101, U.S.G.S. Book, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lahr, J. C., Hypoellipse Version 2.0*: a computer program for determining local earthquake hypocentral parameters, magnitude, and first motion pattern, United States Department of the Survey Menlo Park, California, Open File Report, 89–116, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lanzafame, G., M. Neri, V. Acocella, A. Billi, R. Funiciello, and G. Giordano, Structural features of the July-August 2001 Mount Etna eruption: evidence for a complex magma supply system, J. Geol. Soc., 160, 531–544, 2003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J., F. Jeng, H. Chu, J. Angelier, and J. Hu, A rod-type creepmeter for measurement of displacement in active fault zone, Earth Planets Space, 52(5), 321–328, 2000.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LoGiudice, E., G. Patanè, R. Rasà, and R. Romano, The structural framework of Mt. Etna, Mem. Soc. Geol. It., 23, 125–158, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsumura, S., T. Ohkubo, and M. Imoto, Seismic swarm activity in and around the Izu Peninsula preceding the volcanic eruption of July 13, 1989, J. Phys. Earth, 39, 93–106, 1991.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monaco, C., P. Tapponnier, L. Tortorici, and P. Y. Gillot, Late Quaternary slip rates on the Acireale-Piedimonte normal faults and tectonic origin of Mt. Etna (Sicily), Earth Planet. Sci. Letters, 147, 125–139, 1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Obrizzo, F., Etna Vertical ground movements by precise levelling, in Geophisical Monitoring of the Italian Active Volcanoes 1993–1995, edited by P. Gasparini, Acta Vulcanologica, 10(1), 170–174, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  • Obrizzo, F., Etna Vertical ground movements by precise levelling. September 1995–September 1996, in Data Related to Eruptive Activity Unrest Phenomena and Other Observations on the Italian Active Volcanoes in 1996, edited by L. Villari, Acta Vulcanologica, 12(1–2), 84–85, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  • Obrizzo, F., C. Del Gaudio, M. Ferri, C. Ricco, V. Sepe, and G. Luongo, Etna Ground deformation—Precise levelling, in Data Related to Eruptive Activity Unrest Phenomena and Other Observations on the Italian Active Volcanoes in 1991, edited by L. Villari, Acta Vulcanologica, 3, 326–327, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okada, Y., Surface deformation due to shear and tensile faults in a halfspace, J. Geophys. Res., 75, 1135–1154, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patanè, D. and E. Privitera, Seismicity related to 1989 and 1991–93 Mt. Etna (Italy) eruptions: kinematic constraints by FPS analysis, J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 109, 77–98, 2001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patanè, D., E. Privitera, F. Ferrucci, and S. Gresta, Seismic activity leading to the 1991–93 eruption of Mt. Etna and its tectonic implications, in The 1991–93 Etna Eruption, edited by L. Villari, Acta Vulcanologia, 4, 47–56, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patanè, D., F. Ferrucci, and S. Gresta, Leggi di scala e parametri di sorgente per terremoti all’Etna, Atti 12 Conv. Ann. GNGTS, 925–928, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patanè, D., E. Privitera, S. Gresta, S. Alparone, A. Akinci, G. Barberi, L. Chiaraluce, O. Cocina, S. D’Amico, P. DeGori, G. DiGrazia, S. Falsaperla, F. Ferrari, S. Gambino, E. Giampiccolo, H. Langer, V. Maiolino, M. Moretti, A. Mostaccio, C. Musumeci, D. Piccinini, D. Reitano, L. Scarfì, S. Spampinato, A. Ursino, and L. Zuccarello, Seismological features and kinematic constrains for the July–August 2001 lateral eruption at Mt. Etna volcano, Italy, Annals of Geophysics, 46, 599–608, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reasenberg, P. A. and D. Oppenheimer, FPFIT, FPPLOT AND FPPAGE: fortran computer porgrams for calculating and displaying earthquake fault plane solutions, U.S. Geol. Sur., Open file Report, 85–739, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richter, C. F., Elementary Seismology, W. H. Freeman, San Francisco, pp. 135–149, 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubin, A. M. and D. D. Pollard, Dike-induced faulting in rift zones of Iceland and afar, Geology, 16, 413–417, 1988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thurber, C. and A. E. Gripp, Flexure and seismicity beneath the south flank of Kilauea Volcano and tectonic implications, J. Geophys. Res., 93, 4271–4278, 1988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ukawa, M. and H. Tsukahara, Earthquake swarms and dike intrusions off the east coast of Izu Peninsula, central Japan, Tectonophysics, 253, 285–303, 1996.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sezione di Catania, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Piazza Roma 2, 95123, Catania, Italy

    Salvatore Gambino

Authors
  1. Salvatore Gambino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Salvatore Gambino.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gambino, S. Continuous dynamic response along a pre-existing structural discontinuity induced by the 2001 eruption at Mt. Etna. Earth Planet Sp 56, 447–456 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03352497

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03352497

Key words