Volcanic deformation and flank instability due to magmatic sources and frictional rheology: the case of Mount Etna

Mount Etna's southeast flank exhibits significant horizontal deformation, but new research suggests these movements are not solely due to magma accumulation beneath the volcano. Using advanced finite element models, scientists analyzed surface displacements caused by magmatic sources and frictional rheology, finding that while such models can explain deformation up to 10 km from the source, they cannot account for the extensive horizontal shifts observed along Etna's east coast. This challenges the conventional understanding of volcanic flank instability, indicating that gravitational loads and complex internal structures play a crucial role in shaping the volcano's behavior.

(Ed.). (2012). Volcanic deformation and flank instability due to magmatic sources and frictional rheology: the case of Mount Etna. Geophysical Journal International. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246x.2012.05689.x