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High spatial resolution radon measurements reveal hidden active faults on Mt. Etna
Author(s) -
Burton M.,
Neri M.,
Condarelli D.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2003gl019181
Subject(s) - radon , geology , active fault , tracer , soil gas , high resolution , soil water , porosity , image resolution , seismology , fault (geology) , flux (metallurgy) , mineralogy , soil science , remote sensing , geotechnical engineering , physics , materials science , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , computer science , nuclear physics , metallurgy
Radon emissions are frequently monitored in volcanically and tectonically active areas in order to reveal changes in soil degassing, as radon acts a tracer for the more abundant CO 2 degassing commonly observed in such areas. Between July 2002 and May 2003 a series of discrete measurements of radon concentrations in soil were made with high spatial resolution (∼5–100 m) in the Santa Venerina area on Mt. Etna. These measurements revealed well‐defined linear anomalies that we interpret as being caused by active faults whose higher porosity than surrounding soils allows an increased CO 2 flux, carrying radon from beneath. These faults were not visible at the surface and were therefore revealed at high spatial resolution by our radon survey. Our hypothesis that the positive anomalies are attributable to active faults was strengthened by the observation of concentrated damage along this geometry during the earthquakes that struck this area in late October 2003.