The unstable eastern flank of Mt. Etna volcano (Italy): First results of a GNSS-based network at its southeastern edge

Abstract

Two small geodetic subnetworks were established in 2010 and in 2014, respectively, along the southeastern edge of the unstable eastern flank of Mt. Etna volcano. These networks have been monitored since late 2014 with GNSS techniques by the GEOmatic_laboratory of Earth Science Section of the University of Catania. The resulting horizontal velocity field allowed us to observe a westward decay of the rate and a different azimuthal pattern of motion between the two networks. We suggest that both features are due to active deformation of the Nizzeti faults. We also observed that the deforming region is not entirely confined by the Tremestieri-San Gregorio-Acitrezza fault zones, but it extends southwards. Areal upgrades of the networks as well as the scheduling of measurements at least on a monthly basis will improve our knowledge of the current deformation pattern of the investigated area.