{"title":"Insights on the multi-scale topographic features of Mt. Etna volcano (Italy)","authors":"Salvatore Scudero , Gianluca Groppelli","doi":"10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2025.108443","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The terrain analysis of volcanic landforms provides valuable qualitative and quantitative insights into the factors that shape volcanoes. Using different terrain analysis approaches, this study reconstructs and describes the multi-scale topographic features of Mt. Etna Volcano (Italy). Specifically, the first order shape of the volcano, approximating the large-scale volcanic edifice, is characterized through the analytical fitting of contour lines using an elliptical geometry. The geometric properties of this modelled surface align with the evolutionary phases of Mt. Etna over the past 300 kyr. The modelled surface also serves as a two-dimensional filter: the residual topography, obtained by its removal from the actual topography, reveals second-order topographic features. The residual topography is then opportunely resampled and analysed using the wavelet technique along slope-parallel and base-parallel sections. This analysis reveals zones with different wavelength behaviours that correlate with the residual topographic anomalies. The spatial arrangement of this anomalies around the flanks of the volcano aligns with known volcanic features of Mt. Etna, such as the “Ellittico” volcano and its caldera depression, the large volcano-tectonic depression of the “Bove” valley, and the unstable eastern flank. A few zones do not correspond to any recognized features and may suggest the occurrence of buried structures, offering potential targets for future investigation. This study demonstrates that the wavelet-based technique is a valuable tool for characterizing and classifying volcanic landforms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54753,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research","volume":"468 ","pages":"Article 108443"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research","FirstCategoryId":"89","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0377027325001799","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The terrain analysis of volcanic landforms provides valuable qualitative and quantitative insights into the factors that shape volcanoes. Using different terrain analysis approaches, this study reconstructs and describes the multi-scale topographic features of Mt. Etna Volcano (Italy). Specifically, the first order shape of the volcano, approximating the large-scale volcanic edifice, is characterized through the analytical fitting of contour lines using an elliptical geometry. The geometric properties of this modelled surface align with the evolutionary phases of Mt. Etna over the past 300 kyr. The modelled surface also serves as a two-dimensional filter: the residual topography, obtained by its removal from the actual topography, reveals second-order topographic features. The residual topography is then opportunely resampled and analysed using the wavelet technique along slope-parallel and base-parallel sections. This analysis reveals zones with different wavelength behaviours that correlate with the residual topographic anomalies. The spatial arrangement of this anomalies around the flanks of the volcano aligns with known volcanic features of Mt. Etna, such as the “Ellittico” volcano and its caldera depression, the large volcano-tectonic depression of the “Bove” valley, and the unstable eastern flank. A few zones do not correspond to any recognized features and may suggest the occurrence of buried structures, offering potential targets for future investigation. This study demonstrates that the wavelet-based technique is a valuable tool for characterizing and classifying volcanic landforms.
期刊介绍:
An international research journal with focus on volcanic and geothermal processes and their impact on the environment and society.
Submission of papers covering the following aspects of volcanology and geothermal research are encouraged:
(1) Geological aspects of volcanic systems: volcano stratigraphy, structure and tectonic influence; eruptive history; evolution of volcanic landforms; eruption style and progress; dispersal patterns of lava and ash; analysis of real-time eruption observations.
(2) Geochemical and petrological aspects of volcanic rocks: magma genesis and evolution; crystallization; volatile compositions, solubility, and degassing; volcanic petrography and textural analysis.
(3) Hydrology, geochemistry and measurement of volcanic and hydrothermal fluids: volcanic gas emissions; fumaroles and springs; crater lakes; hydrothermal mineralization.
(4) Geophysical aspects of volcanic systems: physical properties of volcanic rocks and magmas; heat flow studies; volcano seismology, geodesy and remote sensing.
(5) Computational modeling and experimental simulation of magmatic and hydrothermal processes: eruption dynamics; magma transport and storage; plume dynamics and ash dispersal; lava flow dynamics; hydrothermal fluid flow; thermodynamics of aqueous fluids and melts.
(6) Volcano hazard and risk research: hazard zonation methodology, development of forecasting tools; assessment techniques for vulnerability and impact.