Abstract
ABSTRACTNew maps of the summit of Mount Etna volcano (1:5000–1:4000), derived from helicopter photogrammetry, thermal images and terrestrial laser scanner survey, are here presented. These maps indicate the main morpho-structural changes occurring during the powerful explosive and effusive eruptions involving the summit craters of Etna over the first two weeks of December 2015. The survey enabled identifying the proximal erupted volume (7.2 ± 0.14 × 106 m3) and the size and location of the vent causing the powerful explosive activity inside the Central Crater. Our survey also outlines the growth of a recent (2011–2015) summit cone on top of a former pit crater, named New SE-Crater. This new cone is by now comparable in size to the former SE-Crater. The shape and size of two small cinder cones that formed on the upper eastern flank of the summit zone in May–July 2014 are also shown. This approach can be used in fast and frequent monitoring of very active volcanoes.
Highlights
Since the summit area of Etna is visited by thousands of tourists every year, the availability of updated topographic maps is essential for both monitoring and civil protection purposes (e.g. Bisson, Behncke, Fornaciai, & Neri, 2009; Bonaccorso, Calvari, & Boschi, 2015; Cappello, Bilotta, Neri, & Del Negro, 2013; Crisci et al, 2010)
The system used for 3D reconstruction essentially comprises (i) helicopter photogrammetry, (ii) terrestrial laser scanner (Riegl VZ4000) survey and (iii) thermal images acquired by a forward looking infrared radiometer (FLIR) portable camera (SC660)
The survey conducted on Mount Etna volcano has enabled drafting new topographic and thermal maps of the summit area, at high resolution and accuracy
Summary
Its uppermost region is continuously changing (Behncke et al, 2016; Bisson, Spinetti, Neri, & Bonforte, 2016; Giammanco et al, 2016; McGetchin, Settle, & Chouet, 1974; Murray, 1976, 1980a; Neri et al, 2008; Slatcher, James, Calvari, Ganci, & Browning, 2015), with new vents appearing suddenly and becoming wider and deeper (Calvari, Muller, & Scribano, 1995; Murray, 1980b), and cinder cones building up rapidly owing to powerful explosive activity (Behncke, Neri, Pecora, & Zanon, 2006, 2014; Calvari & Pinkerton, 2004; McGetchin et al, 1974) This means that the available maps of the summit zone soon become dated in accurately representing its morphology. Since the summit area of Etna is visited by thousands of tourists every year, the availability of updated topographic maps is essential for both monitoring and civil protection purposes (e.g. Bisson, Behncke, Fornaciai, & Neri, 2009; Bonaccorso, Calvari, & Boschi, 2015; Cappello, Bilotta, Neri, & Del Negro, 2013; Crisci et al, 2010)
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