Time-series analysis of fissure-fed multi-vent activity: a snapshot from the July 2014 eruption of Etna volcano (Italy)

TL;DR

This study used multi-parametric monitoring to analyze the short-term dynamics of a multi-vent eruption at Etna volcano, revealing differences in activity styles and conduit geometry through thermal, seismic, and acoustic data.

Contribution

It provides a detailed multi-parameter analysis of a multi-vent eruption, linking eruptive styles to conduit geometry and gas flux variations.

Findings

Crater N showed higher thermal amplitudes and lower explosion frequency.

Crater S exhibited switching between puffing and Strombolian activity.

The eruptive system involved a branched conduit with rapid gas flux changes.

Abstract

On 5 July 2014, an eruptive fissure opened on the eastern flank of Etna volcano (Italy) at ~3.000 m a.s.l. Strombolian activity and lava effusion occurred simultaneously at two neighbouring vents. In the following weeks, eruptive activity led to the build-up of two cones, tens of meters high, here named Crater N and Crater S. To characterize the short-term (days) dynamics of this multi-vent system, we performed a multi-parametric investigation by means of a dense instrumental network. The experimental setup, deployed on July 15-16th at ca. 300 m from the eruption site, comprised two broadband seismometers and three microphones as well as high speed video and thermal cameras. Thermal analyses enabled us to characterize the style of eruptive activity at each vent. In particular, explosive activity at Crater N featured higher thermal amplitudes and a lower explosion frequency than at Crater S. Several episodes of switching between puffing and Strombolian activity were noted at Crater S through both visual observation and thermal data; oppositely, Crater N exhibited a quasi-periodic activity. The quantification of the eruptive style of each vent enabled us to infer the geometry of the eruptive system: a branched conduit, prone to rapid changes of gas flux accommodated at the most inclined conduit (i.e. Crater S). Accordingly, we were able to correctly interpret acoustic data and thereby extend the characterization of this twovent system.