Fracture density analysis at Stromboli Volcano, Italy: implications to flank stability

T. Alcock, S. Vinciguerra, P. Benson, F. Vagnon

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    Abstract

    Stromboli volcano has experienced four sector collapses over the past 13,000 years, resulting in the formation of the Sciara del Fuoco (SDF); a horseshoe-shaped flank collapse scarp where episodes of instability are continuously observed and recorded. A NE / SW striking rift zone across the SDF and the western sector of the island is inferred to be a potential weakness zone for further instability episodes. This study reports new data of fracture density using remote sensing imagery, across within and outside the rift zone, to identify areas of damage that could reduce the edifice strength and promote fracturing. Pleiades satellite data of 0.5 m resolution was processed to highlight 23635 distinct linear features, determine fracture density across the island, and identify key areas of macro-scale weakness on the volcano. These data suggest that the SW sector of the island, including the summit area and the slopes of SDF, have an average fracture density between 1.18 – 2.73 × 10−5m−2 in contrast to the rest of the volcano that has an average fracture density of 4.56 × 10−6m−2. Analysis was also conducted on the orientation of fracture strikes across the volcanic edifice by analysing fracture data specifically associated with areas of intrusions and fissures: the NW / SE rift zone and the SDF. Preliminary results show that the average fracture strike ranged from between 030 – 047 NE/SW and thus broadly parallel to the inferred rift axis.
    Original languageEnglish
    Number of pages8
    JournalIOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
    Volume833
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 6 Sept 2021
    EventMechanics and Rock Engineering, from Theory to Practice - Turin, Italy
    Duration: 20 Sept 202125 Sept 2021

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