Sensitivity test of the geodetic network in Las Cañadas Caldera, Tenerife, for volcano monitoring

Abstract

A 17-benchmark geodetic network in the volcanic area of the Teide Caldera, Canary Islands has been utilised several times since 1982 to detect crustal movements associated with volcanic activity within the network, as well as a procedure for solving configuration problems. The network is located on the mid-western side of the Caldera, where there are two different morphological zones that both have benchmarks. The authors performed a sensitivity test of this geodetic network for volcano monitoring purposes. To do so, we use a deformation model to calculate surface displacement caused by a dike intrusion in a homogenous half space. The depth and location of dike are changed to study the variation of the effects produced (displacements). The size and location of the intruded dike are found to play a major role in determining both the displacement pattern and magnitude. When the dike is close to the surface, there is an inversion of the surface displacement pattern and very large surface displacement at certain benchmarks. Such phenomena can serve as precursors of such dike eruptions. Our study show a clear need to extend the existing geodetic network to cover the full island for volcano monitoring purposes.