Gravity-driven deformation of Damavand volcano, Iran, detected through InSAR time series

Abstract

Research Article| March 01, 2011 Gravity-driven deformation of Damavand volcano, Iran, detected through InSAR time series M. Shirzaei; M. Shirzaei * 1Department of Physics of the Earth, Section 2.1, GFZ (GeoForschungsZentrum) Telegrafenberg, D–14473 Potsdam, Germany *E-mail: shirzaei@gfz-potsdam.de. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar T.R. Walter; T.R. Walter 1Department of Physics of the Earth, Section 2.1, GFZ (GeoForschungsZentrum) Telegrafenberg, D–14473 Potsdam, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar H.R. Nankali; H.R. Nankali 2Geodesy and Geodynamics Department, National Cartographic Center, PO Box 13185-1684, Meraj Avenue, Tehran, Iran Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar E.P. Holohan E.P. Holohan 1Department of Physics of the Earth, Section 2.1, GFZ (GeoForschungsZentrum) Telegrafenberg, D–14473 Potsdam, Germany3School of Geological Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2011) 39 (3): 251–254. https://doi.org/10.1130/G31779.1 Article history received: 23 Sep 2010 rev-recd: 06 Oct 2010 accepted: 08 Oct 2010 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation M. Shirzaei, T.R. Walter, H.R. Nankali, E.P. Holohan; Gravity-driven deformation of Damavand volcano, Iran, detected through InSAR time series. Geology 2011;; 39 (3): 251–254. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G31779.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The detection and monitoring of gravity-driven volcano deformation are vital for understanding volcanic hazards such as landslides, lateral blasts, and debris avalanches. Although deformation has been detected at several large active volcanoes (e.g., Mount Etna, Vesuvius, Kilauea), these systems also exhibit persistent magmatic activity, obscuring the gravity-driven signals of ground motion. In this study we present a first interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) deformation time series at the dormant Damavand volcano in northern Iran, over the period A.D. 2003–2008. The high-resolution data show a lateral extension of the volcano at the relative rate of as much as ∼6 mm/yr accompanied by subsidence at the rate of as much as ∼5 mm/yr at the volcano summit. We find that lateral motion of the east flank is more significant than that of the west flank. On the basis of past understanding and modeling of deforming volcanoes elsewhere, we interpret this new evidence to reveal long-term, slow, gravity-driven deformation, possibly in the form of gravitational spreading, at Damavand. This persistent deformation activity is well expressed, although no volcanic activity was ever reported in history. This finding shows that magmatic activity is not required for spreading and highlights the importance of identifying long-lived gravity-driven deformation for hazard assessment at dormant or inactive volcanoes. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.