Evidence of multiple strain fields beneath the eastern flank of Mt. Etna volcano (Sicily,Italy) deduced from seismic and geodetic data during 2003–2004

We carried out a study of the seismicity and ground deformation occurring on Mt. Etna volcano after the end of the 2002–2003 eruption and before the onset of the 2004–2005 eruption. Data were recorded by the permanent local seismic network run by Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia – Sezione di Catania and by geodetic surveys carried out in July 2003 and July 2004 on the GPS network. Most earthquakes were grouped in two main clusters located in the northeastern and southeastern sectors of the volcano. The areal distribution of seismic energy associated with the recorded earthquakes allowed us to highlight the main seismogenic areas of Mt. Etna. In order to better understand the kinematic processes of the volcano, 3D seismic locations were used to compute fault plane solutions, and a selected dataset was inverted to determine stress and strain tensors. The focal mechanisms in the northeastern sector show clear left-lateral kinematics along an E-W fault plane, consistent with events occurring along the Pernicana Fault system. The fault plane solutions in the southeastern sector show mainly right-lateral kinematics along a NNE and ENE fault plane and left lateral-kinematics along NW fault planes that together suggest roughly E-W oriented compression. Surface ground deformation affecting Mt. Etna measured by GPS surveys highlighted a marked inflation during the same period and exceptionally strong seawards motion of its eastern flank. The 2D geodetic strain tensor distribution was calculated and the results show mainly ENE-WSW extension coupled with WNW-ESE contraction, indicating right-lateral shear along a NW-SE oriented fault plane. The different deformation of the eastern sector of the volcano, as measured by seismicity and ground deformation, must be interpreted by considering the different depths of the two signals. Seismic activity in the southeastern sector of volcano is located between 3 and 8 km b.s.l. and can be associated with a very strong additional E-W compression induced by a pressurizing source just westwards and at the same depth, located by inverting GPS data. Ground deformation, in contrast, is mainly affected by the shallower dynamics of the fast moving eastern flank which produces a shallower opposing E-W extension. The entire dataset shows that two different processes affect the eastern flank at the same time but at different depths; the boundary is clearly located at a depth of 3 km b.s.l. and could represent the décollement surface for the mobile flank.     

A syn-eruptive ground deformation episode measured by GPS,during the 2001 eruption on the upper southern flank of Mt Etna

Ground deformation occurring on the southern flank of Mt Etna volcano during the July–August 2001 eruption was monitored by GPS measurements along an E–W profile crossing the fissure system. This profile was measured eight times during the eruption, using the 'stop and go' semi-kinematic technique. Horizontal and vertical displacements between GPS surveys are reported for each station. The most significant event is a deformation episode occurring during the first week of the eruption, between 25–27 July. Displacements were measured on benchmarks close to the eruptive fissure and the tensile 1989 fracture. Data inversions for measured displacements were performed using the Okada model. The model shows the narrowing of the 2001 dyke accompanied by a dextral dislocation along an east-dipping fault, parallel to the 1989 fracture.Editorial responsibility: T. Druitt     

The role of the Pernicana Fault System in the spreading of Mt. Etna (Italy) during the 2002–2003 eruption

Flank instability and collapse are observed at many volcanoes. Among these, Mt. Etna is characterized by the spreading of its eastern and southern flanks. The eastern spreading area is bordered to the north by the E–W-trending Pernicana Fault System (PFS). During the 2002–2003 Etna eruption, ground fracturing along the PFS migrated eastward from the NE Rift, to as far as the 18 km distant coastline. The deformation consisted of dextral en-echelon segments, with sinistral and normal kinematics. Both of these components of displacement were one order of magnitude larger (~1 m) in the western, previously known, portion of the PFS with respect to the newly surveyed (~9 km long) eastern section (~0.1 m). This eastern section is located along a pre-existing, but previously unknown, fault, where displaced man-made structures give overall slip rates (1–1.9 cm/year), only slightly lower than those calculated for the western portion (1.4–2.3 cm/year). After an initial rapid motion during the first days of the 2002–2003 eruption, movement of the western portion of the PFS decreased dramatically, while parts of the eastern portion continued to move. These data suggest a model of spreading of the eastern flank of Etna along the PFS, characterized by eruptions along the NE Rift, instantaneous, short-lived, meter-scale displacements along the western PFS and more long-lived centimeter-scale displacements along the eastern PFS. The surface deformation then migrated southwards, reactivating, one after the other, the NNW–SSE-trending Timpe and Trecastagni faults, with displacements of ~0.1 and ~0.04 m, respectively. These structures, along with the PFS, mark the boundaries of two adjacent blocks, moving at different times and rates. The new extent of the PFS and previous activity over its full length indicate that the sliding eastern flank extends well below the Ionian Sea. The clustering of seismic activity above 4 km b.s.l. during the eruption suggests a deep décollement for the moving mass. The collected data thus suggests a significant movement (volume >1,100 km³) of the eastern flank of Etna, both on-shore and off-shore.Editorial responsibility: R. Cioni     

The contemporaneous emission of low-K and high-K trachybasalts and the role of the NE Rift during the 2002 eruptive event,Mt. Etna,Italy

Mount Etna volcano erupted almost simultaneously on its northeastern and southern flanks between October 27 and November 3, 2002. The eruption on the northeastern flank lasted for 8 days, while on the southern flank it continued for 3 months. The northeastern flank eruption was characterized by the opening of a long eruptive fracture system between 2,900 and 1,900 m.a.s.l. A detailed survey indicates that the fractures’ direction shifted during the opening from N10W (at the NE Crater, 2,900 m) to N45E (at its lowest portion, 1,900 m) and that distinct magma groups were erupted at distinct fracture segments. Based on their petrological features, three distinct groups of rocks have been identified. The first group, high-potassium porphyritic (HKP), is made up of porphyritic lavas with a Porphyritic Index (P.I.) of 20–32 and K₂O content higher than 2 wt%. The second group is represented by lavas and tephra with low modal phenocryst abundance (P.I. < 20) named here oligo-phyric (low-phyric), and K₂O content higher than 2 wt% (HKO, high-potassium oligophyric). The third group, low-potassium oligophyric (LKO), consists of tephra with oligophyric texture (P.I. < 20) but K₂O content < 2 wt%. K-rich magmas (HKP and HKO) are similar to the magma erupted on the southern flank, and geochemical variations within these groups can be accounted for by a variable degree of fractionation from a single parent magma. The K-poor magma (LKO), erupted only in the upper segment of the fracture, cannot be placed on the same liquid line of descent of the HK groups, and it is similar to the magmas that fed the activity of Etna volcano prior to the eruption of 1971. This is the first time since then that a magma of this composition has been documented at Mt. Etna, thus providing a strong indication for the existence of distinct batches of magma whose rise and differentiation are independent from the main conduit system. The evolution of this eruption provides evidence that the NE Rift plays a very active role in the activity of Mt. Etna volcano, and that its extensional tectonics allows the intrusion and residence of magma bodies at various depths, which can therefore differentiate independently from the main open conduit system.     

Fault-controlled Soil CO2 Degassing and Shallow Magma Bodies: Summit and Lower East Rift of Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii), 1997

Soil CO₂ flux measurements were carried out along traverses across mapped faults and eruptive fissures on the summit and the lower East Rift Zone of Kilauea volcano. Anomalous levels of soil degassing were found for 44 of the tectonic structures and 47 of the eruptive fissures intercepted by the surveyed profiles. This result contrasts with what was recently observed on Mt. Etna, where most of the surveyed faults were associated with anomalous soil degassing. The difference is probably related to the differences in the state of activity at the time when soil gas measurements were made: Kilauea was erupting, whereas Mt. Etna was quiescent although in a pre-eruptive stage. Unlike Mt. Etna, flank degassing on Kilauea is restricted to the tectonic and volcanic structures directly connected to the magma reservoir feeding the ongoing East Rift eruption or in areas of the Lower East Rift where other shallow, likely independent reservoirs are postulated. Anomalous soil degassing was also found in areas without surface evidence of faults, thus suggesting the possibility of previously unknown structures. Received: November 2003, revised: January 2005, accepted: January 2005     

采用有限元等效体力方法数值分析火山区岩浆压力变形源——以长白山火山为例

火山区岩浆压力变形源的反演计算采用解析方法存在难以考虑地形的限制,采用传统有限元方法则存在网格依赖和计算量大的问题,反演过程中每一次正演由于岩浆房位置和大小变化都需要重新生成一次网格,耗费巨大的计算量和网格生成时间.为了克服上述问题,首次在长白山火山区使用"有限元等效体力"方法考虑地形影响反演地下岩浆压力变形源,计算岩浆应力扰动对周边断层稳定性的影响.在火山区地下压力变形源引起的地表形变计算中,地表地形影响不可忽略.埋深越浅,地表最大径向位移u_r所在的位置越靠近岩浆囊中心.当坡度达到30°时,最大垂向位移u_z所在位置不再位于岩浆囊正上方.椭球状岩浆囊压力源可以较好地模拟长白山火山地区2002—2003年间的GPS和水准测量.岩浆房扰动应力场和区域构造应力场的叠加有可能造成天池西部近EW向,天池北部以NW-NNW向为主的现今应力方向.岩浆房压力源引起的库仑应力变化有利于天池火山口NW向震群在空间上主要分布于火山口的西南和东北部.     

Spatial vent opening probability map of Etna volcano (Sicily, Italy)

We produce a spatial probability map of vent opening (susceptibility map) at Etna, using a statistical analysis of structural features of flank eruptions of the last 2?ky. We exploit a detailed knowledge of the volcano structures, including the modalities of shallow magma transfer deriving from dike and dike-fed fissure eruptions analysis on historical eruptions. Assuming the location of future vents will have the same causal factors as the past eruptions, we converted the geological and structural data in distinct and weighted probability density functions, which were included in a non-homogeneous Poisson process to obtain the susceptibility map. The highest probability of new eruptive vents opening falls within a N-S aligned area passing through the Summit Craters down to about 2,000?m?a.s.l. on the southern flank. Other zones of high probability follow the North-East, East-North-East, West, and South Rifts, the latter reaching low altitudes (～400?m). Less susceptible areas are found around the faults cutting the upper portions of Etna, including the western portion of the Pernicana fault and the northern extent of the Ragalna fault. This structural-based susceptibility map is a crucial step in forecasting lava flow hazards at Etna, providing a support tool for decision makers.     

利用GPS观测资料分析2008年于田Ms7.3地震的同震位移及震后形变

2008年3月21日新疆于田发生Ms7.3级地震.本文通过处理、分析GPS数据,得到破裂断层北侧100 km附近的同震位移及震后形变信息.在观测区域GPS点监测到10 mm左右的同震位移,其中最大为南向14 mm,东向5 mm.同震位移呈现一致性的东南向运动特征,证实于田地震存在显著的左旋走滑分量.震后台站向西南方向运...     

Influence of 2008 Wenchuan earthquake on earthquake occurrence trend of active faults in Sichuan-Yunnan region

The Wenchuan earthquake coseismic deformation field is inferred from the coseismic dislocation data based on a 3-D geometric model of the active faults in Sichuan-Yunnan region. Then the potential dislocation displacement is inverted from the deformation field in the 3-D geometric model. While the faults' slip velocities are inverted from GPS and leveling data, which can be used as the long-term slip vector. After the potential dislocation displacements are projected to long-term slip direction, we have got the influence of Wenchuan earthquake on active faults in Sichuan-Yunnan region. The results show that the northwestern segment of Longmenshan fault, the southern segments of Xianshuihe fault, Anninghe fault, Zemuhe fault, northern and southern segments of Daliangshan fault, Mabian fault got earthquake risks advanced of 305, 19, 12, 9.1 and 18, 51 years respectively in the eastern part of Sichuan and Yunnan. The Lijiang-Xiaojinhe fault, Nujiang fault, Longling-Lancang fault, Nantinghe fault and Zhongdian fault also got earthquake risks advanced in the western part of Sichuan-Yunnan region. Whereas the northwestern segment of Xianshuihe fault and Xiaojiang fault got earthquake risks reduced after the Wenchuan earthquake.     

Holocene vertical deformation along the coastal sector of Mt. Etna volcano (eastern Sicily,Italy): Implications on the time–space constrains of the volcano lateral sliding

A detailed survey of morphological and biological markers of paleo-shorelines has been carried out along the coastal sector of Mt. Etna volcano (eastern Sicily, Italy), in order to better define causes and timing of vertical deformation. We have mapped markers of raised Holocene shorelines, which are represented by beach rocks, wave-cut platforms, balanid, vermetid and algal rims. The timing of coastal uplift has been determined by radiocarbon dating of shells collected from the raised paleo-shorelines and, to correctly assess the total amount of tectonic uplift of the coast during the Late Holocene, we have compared the elevation-age data of sampled shells to the local curve of Holocene sea-level rise. Taking into account the nominal elevation of the associated paleo-shorelines, an uplift rate of 2.5–3.0 mm/year has been estimated for the last 6–7 ka. This general process of uplifting is only locally interrupted by subsidence related to flank sliding of the volcanic edifice, measured at docks and other manmade structures, and by acceleration along the hinge of an active anticline and at the footwall of an active fault. Based on this new data we suggest more precise time–space constraints for the dynamics of the lower eastern flank of Mt. Etna volcano.     

Intrusive Mechanisms at Mt. Etna Forerunning the July-August 2001 Eruption from Seismic and Ground Deformation Data

In this work we present seismological and ground deformation evidence for the phase preparing the July 18 to August 9, 2001 flank eruption at Etna. The analysis performed, through data from the permanent seismic and ground deformation networks, highlighted a strong relationship between seismic strain release at depth and surface deformation. This joint analysis provided strong constraints on the magma rising mechanisms. We show that in the last ten years, after the 1991–1993 eruption, an overall accumulation of tension has affected the volcano. Then we investigate the months preceding the 2001 eruption. In particular, we analyse the strong seismic swarm on April 20–24, 2001, comprising more than 200 events (M_max = 3.6) with prevalent dextral shear fault mechanisms in the western flank. The swarm showed a ca. NE-SW earthquake alignment which, in agreement with previous cases, can be interpreted as the response of the medium to an intrusive process along the approximately NNW-SSE volcano-genetic trend. These mechanisms, leading to the July 18 to August 9, 2001 flank eruption, are analogous to ones observed some months before the 1991–1993 flank eruption and, more recently, in January 1998 before the February-November 1999 summit eruption.     

基于InSAR、GPS形变场的长白山地区火山岩浆囊参数模拟研究

利用差分合成孔径雷达干涉测量技术（DInSAR）获取长白山地区的形变场.结果显示1995~1998年期间,位于长白山东南侧的间白山火山存在6~12 cm的视线向形变,而长白山天池火山处于平静期,没有明显形变.利用2002~2003年的GPS和水准获取的形变数据,分别采用Mogi单源、双源模型反演了长白山地区火山的岩浆囊参数.其中双源模型拟合效果较为理想,两个点源一个位于长白山天池老火山口下方7.9 km处,另一个位于间白山火山下方5.5 km处.对双源模型反演得到的岩浆囊参数进行适当调整,拟合得到与InSAR形变场基本吻合的结果.上述研究结果表明长白山地区火山活动存在时间上的间歇性和空间上的迁移性,为进一步研究长白山地区火山活动机制提供了参考和依据.     

Lava-flow hazard on the SE flank of Mt. Etna (Southern Italy)

A method for mapping lava-flow hazard on the SE flank of Mt. Etna (Sicily, Southern Italy) by applying the Cellular Automata model SCIARA_-fv is described, together with employed techniques of calibration and validation through a parallel Genetic Algorithm. The study area is partly urbanised; it has repeatedly been affected by lava flows from flank eruptions in historical time, and shows evidence of a dominant SSE-trending fracture system. Moreover, a dormant deep-seated gravitational deformation, associated with a larger volcano-tectonic phenomenon, affects the whole south-eastern flank of the volcano.     

用多种数据构建2008年汶川特大地震同震位移场

本文主要以GPS、精密水准观测和卫星SAR遥感图像分析2008年汶川特大地震同震位移特征.GPS数据包括:(1)四川盆地和川西高原地区各类国家等级GPS网点复测;(2)沿破裂带国家天文大地网GPS复测.前者推算的同震位移测定精度优于2 cm,后者6~8 cm.SAR遥感资料包括:(1)ALOS 卫星升轨相位干涉图像,精度优于8 cm;(2)ALOS和ENVISAT卫星影像合成的三维位移图,精度优于0.5 m.同震位移场显示,断层下盘(四川盆地)变形总体呈扇形集中指向震中,断层上盘(龙门山)变形总体上呈逆时针旋转态势,最大的实测水平位移5.5 m.汶川、理县、茂县等地测站位移指向破裂带方向,而平武、青川等地测站逐渐转变为平行,乃至远离破裂带方向,与汶川地震逆冲兼走滑的破裂特征一致.断层上盘大幅隆升,下盘靠近断层的区域以下沉为主,远场表现为幅度很小的隆升,垂直升降区域间,有一条与龙泉山断裂带平行的升降过渡带,调节龙泉断层的应力状态.用实测变形场检验多个地震波破裂模型表明,近场(距离断层50 km) 模型形变准确度可达40~50 cm, 远场精度优于5 cm.     

GPS AND LEVELING CONSTRAINED CO-SEISMIC SOURCE AND SLIP DISTRIBUTION OF THE LUSHAN MS7.0 EARTHQUAKE ON 20 APRIL 2013

Co-seismic deformation results calculated by the observations of GPS continuous sites and precise leveling are used as three-dimensional constraints for the deformation field of Lushan M_S7.0 earthquake on 20 April 2013.The inversion of seismic source parameters are calculated based on the consideration of different value-taking schemes and fault models. Seven data type selection schemes, three fault models and two data coverage selection schemes are designed in order to discuss the effect of data selection and fault model selection on the inversion results. The results show that the fault model using blind reverse fault for the inversion is superior to the model using the fault that ruptures from its upper boundary to the earth'surface, which may indicate that the Lushan earthquake fault is most likely a blind reverse fault; there are no obvious differences in the inversion results between the blind listric reverse fault models and the rectangle blind reverse fault models. The best inversion result of Lushan earthquake seismic moment is M_W6.7.And it also shows that the distribution of dislocations on the fault plane is concentrated in the range of 30km×30km, the northern flank of the seismogenic fault of Lushun earthquake is of dextral faulting and the southern flank of the fault is of sinistral faulting, the sinistral component is larger that dextral component, showing a wedge deformation mode.     

Coseismic displacement estimate of the 2013 M_S7.0 Lushan,China earthquake based on the simulation of near-fault displacement field

Usually, GPS observation provides direct evidence to estimate coseismic displacement. However, GPS stations are scattered, sparse and cannot provide a detailed distribution of coseismic displacement. Strong ground motion records share the same disadvantages as GPS in estimating coseismic displacement. Estimations from In SAR data can provide displacement distributions; however, the resolution of such methods is limited by the analysis techniques. The paper focuses on estimating the coseismic displacement of the M_S7.0 Lushan earthquake on April 20, 2013 using a simulation of the wave field based on the elastic wave equation instead of a quasi-static equation. First, the media and source models were constructed by comparing the simulated velocity and the record velocity of the ground motion. Then simulated static displacements were compared with GPS records. Their agreement validates our results. Careful analysis of the distribution of simulated coseismic displacements near the fault reveals more details of the ground motion. For example, an uplift appears on the hanging wall of the fault,rotation is associated with the horizontal displacement, the fault strike and earthquake epicenter provide the main control on motion near the faults, and the motion on the hanging wall is stronger than that on the footwall. These results reveal additional characteristics of the ground motion of the Lushan earthquake.     

南北地震带垂直形变速率梯度与强震活动研究

垂直形变梯度能够有效反映区域构造运动的垂直差异变化程度。 我们利用长时间段的水准资料结合GPS资料计算垂直形变梯度值, 计算结果显示垂直形变速率梯度的空间分布与构造分布具有显著的相关性, 南北地震带垂直形变速率梯度异常最显著区域在鲜水河断裂带、 龙门山断裂带和小江—则木河断裂带附近, 其次是青藏高原东北缘地区的庄浪河断裂带与冷龙岭断裂带交会区域, 2016年门源6.4级地震就发生在这一异常区域内, 但是从垂直形变速率梯度的高梯度区域分布来看, 在天祝至景泰一带也有发生强震的背景。 三大断裂交会区域是整个南北地震带构造活动最为强烈的区域, 应该注意该地区未来强震发生的危险性。     

2014年2月12日于田7.3级地震对青藏东北缘地震活动的影响分析

首先, 利用“中国地壳运动观测网络”和“中国构造环境观测网络”截至2013年的GPS区域站观测资料, 结合地质构造, 简要分析了2014年2月12日新疆于田7.3级地震前大区域地壳水平运动变形背景; 接着, 对青藏块体东北缘地区GPS和精密水准两种不同类型资料反映的地壳运动变形与应变积累状态进行了对比分析研究; 最后, 结合地震活动动力环境, 研究和探讨了于田7.3级地震的发生对青藏块体东北缘地震活动的可能影响。 我们认为, 此次于田7.3级地震发生在近年来中国西部边邻强构造活动环境和内陆地壳强烈差异运动显著的背景下, 同时也是青藏块体及其边缘构造应力场较强的时段; 于田7.3级地震左旋走滑错动和应力传递, 可能会加速青藏块体东北缘具有高应变积累的构造断裂部位(尤其是祁连山构造带、 西秦岭以南的甘青川交界)破裂释放。     

The North-South Seismic Belt:Vertical Deformation Velocity Gradient Research

The vertical deformation gradient can reflect the rate of vertical change in unit distance, and the vertical deformation velocity gradient can reflect the strength of the earth''s crust tectonic activities. In this paper, using long period leveling data combined with GPS data, the vertical deformation gradient values are calculated. Leveling data and GPS data are two different means of monitoring deformation, but the result is approximately the same vertical deformation gradient. The results show that the spatial distribution of the vertical deformation velocity gradient and tectonic distribution has an obvious correlation. The most significant gradient anomalies along the North-South Seismic Belt are Xianshuihe fault, Longmenshan fault and Xiaojiang-Zemuhe fault, while the second gradient anomalies in the northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan plateau are Zhuanglanghe fault and Lenglongling fault. The Menyuan M_S6.4 earthquake in 2016 occurred in this abnormal area. However, according to the vertical deformation high gradient area distribution, there is also the possibility of an earthquake occurrence in the Tianzhu and Jingtai area. The area of convergence of three major fault zones is the strongest tectonically active region of the North-South Seismic Belt.     

Variation ofb values before the Etnean eruption of March 1981

A fissural eruption occurred from the northern flank of Mt. Etna on March 17, 1981, and the associated earthquake activity, recorded by the seismic network operating on the volcano, was carefully examined to detect possible variations ofb values, according to the frequency-magnitude relationship, before the start of the eruption. The analysis of 4000B-type earthquakes was carried out according to the maximum likelihood method. A significant increase in theb value was noticed since the beginning of February 1981, followed by a sharp decrease in the days before the eruption started. The observed variation pattern was related to possible changes on the stress field acting on the volcano.