Source Mechanism of Long Period events recorded by a high density seismic network during the 2008 eruption on Mt Etna

Abstract

129 Long Period (LP) events, divided in two families were recorded by 50 stations deployed on Mount Etna within an eruptive context in the second half of June 2008. In order to understand the mechanisms of these events, we perform moment tensor inversion. Numerical tests show that unconstrained inversion leads to reliable moment tensor solutions because of the close proximity of numerous stations to the source positions. However, single forces cannot be accurately determined as they are very sensitive to uncertainities in the velocity model. These tests emphasize the importance of using stations located as close as possible to the source in the inversion of LP events. Inversion of LP signals is initially unconstrained, in order to estimate the most likely mechanism. Constrained inversions then allow us to accurately determine the structural orientations of the mechanisms. Inversions for both families show mechanisms with strong volumetric components. These events are generated by cracks striking SW-NE for both families and dipping 70± SE (fam. 1) and 50± NW (fam. 2). The geometries of the cracks are different from the structures obtained by the location of these events. The orientation of the cracks is consistent with the local tectonic context on Mount Etna. The LP events seem to be a response to the lava fountain occuring on the 10th of May, 2008.In press(38)1.4. TTC - Sorveglianza sismologica delle aree vulcaniche attive3.1. Fisica dei terremotiJCR Journalope