Premium
Etna 2004–2005: An archetype for geodynamically‐controlled effusive eruptions
Author(s) -
Burton Michael R.,
Neri Marco,
Andronico Daniele,
Branca Stefano,
Caltabiano Tommaso,
Calvari Sonia,
Corsaro Rosa Anna,
Del Carlo Paola,
Lanzafame Gianni,
Lodato Luigi,
Miraglia Lucia,
Salerno Giuseppe,
Spampinato Letizia
Publication year - 2005
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 - 10.1029/2005gl022527
Subject(s) - effusive eruption , geology , lava , lateral eruption , magma , dense rock equivalent , impact crater , volcano , seismology , overpressure , explosive eruption , phreatic eruption , vulcanian eruption , strombolian eruption , petrology , geochemistry , astrobiology , physics , thermodynamics
The 2004–05 eruption of Etna was characterised by outpouring of degassed lava from two vents within Valle del Bove. After three months of eruption lava volumes were estimated to be between 18.5 and 32 × 10 6 m 3 , with eruption rate between 2.3 and 4.1 m 3 /s. Petrological analyses show that magma is resident in the shallow plumbing system, emplaced during the last South‐East Crater activity. SO 2 flux data show no increase at the onset of the eruption and SO 2 /HCl ratios in gas emitted from the eruptive fissure are consistent with a degassed magma. No seismic activity was recorded prior to eruption, unlike eruptions observed since the 1980's. The purely effusive nature of this eruption, fed by a degassed, resident magma and the fracture dynamics suggest that magmatic overpressure played a limited role in this eruption. Rather, lateral spreading of Etna's eastern flank combined with general inflation of the edifice triggered a geodynamically‐controlled eruption.