Modelling of ground deformation and gravity fields using finite element method: an application to Etna volcano

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-246x.2007.03380.x
• Publication Date: 2007-03-21T12:34:41Z
• Authors: Gilda Currenti; Ciro Del Negro; Gaetana Ganci
• Keywords: Satellite geodesy

SUMMARY Elastic finite element models are applied to investigate the effects of topography and medium heterogeneities on surface deformation gravity field produced by volcanic pressure sources. Changes in cannot be interpreted only terms gain mass disregarding ground rocks surrounding source. Contributions changes depend also subsurface redistribution driven dilation Both were firstly evaluated solving a coupled axisymmetric problem estimate heterogeneities. Numerical results show significant discrepancies compared those predicted analytical solutions, which disregard topography, elastic density structures. With this mind, we reviewed expected accompanying 1993‐1997 inflation phase Mt Etna setting up fully 3-D model used real include geometry, seismic tomography, infer crustal The was clearly detected different geodetic techniques (EDM, GPS, SAR levelling data) that showed uniform expansion overall volcano edifice. When data integrated with FEM modelling solved, intrusion could have occurred at depth justify both observations.