Abstract
Abstract
We present a new three-dimensional (3D) image of attenuation beneath Mt. Etna volcano based on the coda normalization method. Mt. Etna is an ideal natural laboratory for the application of new or unconventional tomography techniques owing to high levels of seismicity spanning a wide range of epicentral distances and depths. We retrieved seismic waveforms from the database generated in the 2014 TOMO-ETNA seismic experiment and performed a joint interpretation of tomographic and geophysical inversion models to better constrain interpretations of the volcanic structure. We compared the attenuation tomography results with seismic inversion models (two P wave seismic models and a 3D coda wave seismic attenuation model) and the literature to highlight and interpret structural elements and their impact on the volcano dynamics. We created a new image of the inner structure of Mt. Etna that will help to constrain present and future volcanic behavior. In particular, we focused on magma storage below the summit area and identified a large high-attenuation volume that is characterized by physical properties compatible with the presence of magma and other fluids. The existence of such a large volume of magma in the shallow crust below Mt. Etna has implications for the eruptive potential of the volcano.
Key Points
Three-dimensional attenuation images over the first 10 km below Etna volcano obtained by coda normalization method
Attenuation images show partial melt body below Etna volcano
Joint interpretation of different models confirm the high heterogeneity below Etna volcano
Plain Language Summary
Mount Etna, Italy, is one of the world's most active volcanoes and presents an almost constant state of activity. To correctly interpretate potential volcanic hazards, there is a need to better understand the complex inner structure of the volcano. To this end, Mt. Etna is an ideal natural laboratory for the application of new or unconventional tomography techniques. We analyzed seismic attenuation, which measures the loss of energy of the seismic waves, to obtain a three-dimensional attenuation model of Mt. Etna. We compared our attenuation tomography results with other geophysical data in order to interpret key structural elements and their impact on volcano dynamics. We identified a large volume below the summit area that is compatible with the presence of magma and other volcanic fluids, highlighting the continued eruptive potential of the volcano.
We present a new three-dimensional (3D) image of attenuation beneath Mt. Etna volcano based on the coda normalization method. Mt. Etna is an ideal natural laboratory for the application of new or unconventional tomography techniques owing to high levels of seismicity spanning a wide range of epicentral distances and depths. We retrieved seismic waveforms from the database generated in the 2014 TOMO-ETNA seismic experiment and performed a joint interpretation of tomographic and geophysical inversion models to better constrain interpretations of the volcanic structure. We compared the attenuation tomography results with seismic inversion models (two P wave seismic models and a 3D coda wave seismic attenuation model) and the literature to highlight and interpret structural elements and their impact on the volcano dynamics. We created a new image of the inner structure of Mt. Etna that will help to constrain present and future volcanic behavior. In particular, we focused on magma storage below the summit area and identified a large high-attenuation volume that is characterized by physical properties compatible with the presence of magma and other fluids. The existence of such a large volume of magma in the shallow crust below Mt. Etna has implications for the eruptive potential of the volcano.
Key Points
Three-dimensional attenuation images over the first 10 km below Etna volcano obtained by coda normalization method
Attenuation images show partial melt body below Etna volcano
Joint interpretation of different models confirm the high heterogeneity below Etna volcano
Plain Language Summary
Mount Etna, Italy, is one of the world's most active volcanoes and presents an almost constant state of activity. To correctly interpretate potential volcanic hazards, there is a need to better understand the complex inner structure of the volcano. To this end, Mt. Etna is an ideal natural laboratory for the application of new or unconventional tomography techniques. We analyzed seismic attenuation, which measures the loss of energy of the seismic waves, to obtain a three-dimensional attenuation model of Mt. Etna. We compared our attenuation tomography results with other geophysical data in order to interpret key structural elements and their impact on volcano dynamics. We identified a large volume below the summit area that is compatible with the presence of magma and other volcanic fluids, highlighting the continued eruptive potential of the volcano.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e2021JB022094 |
| Journal | Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth |
| Volume | 126 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2021 |