Seismo‐tectonic behavior of the Pernicana Fault System (Mt Etna): A gauge for volcano flank instability?

摘要: [1] Flank instability at basaltic volcanoes is often related to repeated dike intrusions along rift zones and accompanied by surface fracturing seismicity. These processes have been mostly studied during specific events, the lack of longer-term observations hinders their better understanding. Here we analyze ~20 years deformation Pernicana Fault System (PFS), key structure controlling eastern flank Mt. Etna. We exploit East-West vertical components mean velocity, as well corresponding time series, computed from ERS/ENVISAT (1992–2010) COSMO-SkyMed (2009–2011) satellite radar sensors via Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry techniques. then integrate compare this information with field, seismic, leveling data, collected between 1980 2012. observe transient displacements seismicity, overprinted on a long-term background eastward motion (~2 cm/yr). In last decades, these events were preceded constant amount accumulated strain near PFS. The accumulation varies few years also depending magma emplacement within nearby North East Rift, which may increase results suggest that PFS be used gauge forecast occurrence transients context, provide an ideal, small-scale test relations accumulation, stress loading, seismic energy release.