Publication Date:
2017-04-04
Description:
We conducted geophysical–geochemical measurements on a ∼2 kmN–S profile cutting across the Pernicana
Fault, one of the most active tectonic features on the NE flank of Mt. Etna. The profile passes from the
unstable E flank of the volcano (to the south) to the stable N flank and significant fluctuations in electrical
resistivity, self-potential, and soil gas emissions (CO2, Rn and Th) are found. The detailed multidisciplinary
analysis reveals a complex interplay between the structural setting, uprising hydrothermal fluids, meteoric
fluids percolating downwards, ground permeability, and surface topography. In particular, the recovered
fluid circulation model highlights that the southern sector is heavily fractured and faulted, allowing the
formation of convective hydrothermal cells. Although the existence of a hydrothermal system in a volcanic
area does not surprise, these results have great implications in terms of flank dynamics at Mt. Etna. Indeed,
the hydrothermal activity, interacting with the Pernicana Fault activity, could enhance the flank instability.
Our approach should be further extended along the full extent of the boundary between the stable and
unstable sectors of Etna for a better evaluation of the geohazard in this active tectonic area.
Description:
This work was partly financed by the DPC-INGV FLANK and LAVA
Projects.
Description:
Published
Description:
137–142
Description:
1.5. TTC - Sorveglianza dell'attività eruttiva dei vulcani
Description:
3.2. Tettonica attiva
Description:
4.5. Studi sul degassamento naturale e sui gas petroliferi
Description:
JCR Journal
Description:
reserved
Keywords:
Pernicana Fault
;
fluid circulation
;
structural geology
;
Etna
;
magnetic
;
electrical methods
;
04. Solid Earth::04.02. Exploration geophysics::04.02.99. General or miscellaneous
;
04. Solid Earth::04.02. Exploration geophysics::04.02.01. Geochemical exploration
;
04. Solid Earth::04.02. Exploration geophysics::04.02.04. Magnetic and electrical methods
;
04. Solid Earth::04.02. Exploration geophysics::04.02.05. Downhole, radioactivity, remote sensing, and other methods
;
04. Solid Earth::04.02. Exploration geophysics::04.02.07. Instruments and techniques
;
04. Solid Earth::04.04. Geology::04.04.99. General or miscellaneous
;
04. Solid Earth::04.04. Geology::04.04.06. Rheology, friction, and structure of fault zones
;
04. Solid Earth::04.04. Geology::04.04.07. Rock geochemistry
;
04. Solid Earth::04.04. Geology::04.04.09. Structural geology
;
04. Solid Earth::04.04. Geology::04.04.11. Instruments and techniques
;
04. Solid Earth::04.04. Geology::04.04.12. Fluid Geochemistry
;
04. Solid Earth::04.07. Tectonophysics::04.07.99. General or miscellaneous
;
04. Solid Earth::04.07. Tectonophysics::04.07.07. Tectonics
;
04. Solid Earth::04.08. Volcanology::04.08.99. General or miscellaneous
;
04. Solid Earth::04.08. Volcanology::04.08.01. Gases
;
04. Solid Earth::04.08. Volcanology::04.08.02. Experimental volcanism
;
04. Solid Earth::04.08. Volcanology::04.08.04. Thermodynamics
;
04. Solid Earth::04.08. Volcanology::04.08.06. Volcano monitoring
;
04. Solid Earth::04.08. Volcanology::04.08.07. Instruments and techniques
;
04. Solid Earth::04.08. Volcanology::04.08.08. Volcanic risk
;
05. General::05.08. Risk::05.08.99. General or miscellaneous
Repository Name:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Type:
article
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