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Dynamics of a lava fountain revealed by geophysical, geochemical and thermal satellite measurements: The case of the 10 April 2011 Mt Etna eruption
Author(s) -
Bonaccorso A.,
Caltabiano T.,
Currenti G.,
Del Negro C.,
Gambino S.,
Ganci G.,
Giammanco S.,
Greco F.,
Pistorio A.,
Salerno G.,
Spampinato S.,
Boschi E.
Publication year - 2011
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 - 10.1029/2011gl049637
Subject(s) - fountain , lava , geology , satellite , volcano , geophysics , earth science , seismology , astronomy , archaeology , geography , physics
Geophysical (tilt, seismic tremor and gravity signals), geochemical (crater SO 2 flux) and infrared satellite measurements are presented and discussed to track the temporal evolution of the lava fountain episode occurring at Mt Etna volcano on 10 April 2011. The multi‐disciplinary approach provides insight into a gas‐rich magma source trapped in a shallow storage zone inside the volcano edifice. This generated the fast ascending gas‐magma dispersed flow feeding the lava fountain and causing the depressurization of a deeper magma storage. Satellite thermal data allowed estimation of the amount of erupted lava, which, summed to the tephra volume, yielded a total volume of erupted products of about 1 × 10 6 m 3 . Thanks to the daylight occurrence of this eruptive episode, the SO 2 emission rate was also estimated, showing a degassing cycle reaching a peak of 15,000 Mg d −1 with a mean daily value of ∼5,700 Mg d −1 . The SO 2 data from the previous fountain episode on 17–18 February to 10 April 2011, yielded a cumulative degassed magma volume of about ∼10.5 × 10 6 m 3 , indicating a ratio of roughly 10:1 between degassed and erupted volumes. This volumetric balance, differently from those previously estimated during different styles of volcanic activities with long‐term (years) recharging periods and middle‐term (weeks to months) effusive eruptions, points toward the predominant role played by the gas phase in generating and driving this lava fountain episode.