Publication Date:
2023-02-01
Description:
Offshore data in the western Ionian Sea indicate that the NW–SE-trending dextral shear zone
of the Alfeo–Etna Fault System turns to the N–S direction near the Ionian coastline, where the extensional
Timpe Fault System is located. Morpho-structural data show that NW–SE-trending right-lateral strikeslip
faults connect the Timpe Fault System with the upper slope of the volcano, where the eruptive
activity mainly occurs along the N–S to NE–SW-trending fissures. Fault systems are related to the ~E–Wtrending
extension and they are seismically active having given rise to shallow and low-moderate
magnitude earthquakes in the last 150 years. As a whole, morpho-structural, geodetic and seismological
data, seismic profiles and bathymetric maps suggest that similar geometric and kinematic features
characterize the shear zone both on the eastern flank of the volcano and in the Ionian offshore. The Alfeo–
Etna Fault System probably represents a major kinematic boundary in the western Ionian Sea associated
with the Africa–Europe plate convergence since it accommodates, by right-lateral kinematics, the
differential motion of adjacent western Ionian compartments. Along this major tectonic alignment,
crustal structures such as releasing bends, pull-apart basins and extensional horsetails occur both
offshore and on-land, where they probably represent the pathway for magma uprising from depth
Description:
This research was funded by the Catania University PIA.CE.RI. Project (linea 2) “Interaction
between volcanic activity and active tectonic processes in the Mt. Etna area (InvultEtna). The
research has moreover benefited from funding provided by the agreement between Istituto Nazionale
di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) and the Italian Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri,
Dipartimento della Protezione Civile
Description:
Published
Description:
128
Description:
2T. Deformazione crostale attiva
Description:
JCR Journal
Keywords:
Ionian Sea
;
Mt. Etna
;
seismic reflection data
;
GNSS data
;
tectonic-driven volcanism
;
04.08. Volcanology
Repository Name:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Type:
article
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