Publication Date:
2021-01-08
Description:
Gravity changes associated with volcanic processes occur over a wide range of time
scales, from minutes to years and with magnitudes between a few and a few hundred
microGal.High-precision instruments are needed to detect such small signals and both timelapse
surveys along networks of stations, and continuous measurements at single points,
are accomplished. Continuous volcano gravimetry is mostly carried out through relative
gravimeters, either superconducting instruments, providing higher quality data, or the more
widely used spring meters. On the other hand, time-lapse surveys can be carried out with
relative (spring) gravimeters, that measure gravity differences between pairs of stations,
or by absolute gravimeters, capable of measuring the absolute value of the gravitational
acceleration at the observation point. Here we present the state-of-the-art of terrestrial
gravity measurements to monitor and study active volcanoes and the possibilities of new
gravimeters that are under development. In particular, we present data from a mini array of
three iGrav superconducting gravimeters (SGs) atMount Etna (the first network of SGs ever
installed on an active volcano). A comparison between continuous gravity measurements
recorded through the iGrav#016 superconducting gravimeter at Serra La Nave station
(1730 m a.s.l.) and absolute gravity data collected with the Microg LaCoste FG5#238
gravimeter in the framework of repeated campaigns is also presented. Furthermore, we
introduce the Horizon 2020 NEWTON-g project (New Tools for Terrain Gravimetry),
funded under the FET-OPEN Research and Innovation Actions call, Work Programme
2016–2017 (Grant Agreement No 801221). In the framework of this project, we aim to
develop a field-compatible gravity imager, including an array of low-costs Micro-Electro-
Mechanical Systems (MEMS)-based relative gravimeters, anchored on an absolute quantum
gravimeter. After the design and production phases, the gravity imager will be field-tested
at Mt. Etna (Italy) during the last 2 years of the project.
Description:
Published
Description:
1IT. Reti di monitoraggio e sorveglianza
Repository Name:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Type:
book chapter
Permalink