Muographic monitoring of the volcano-tectonic evolution of Mount Etna

A groundbreaking study using muographic imaging has revealed critical insights into the volcano-tectonic evolution of Mount Etna, demonstrating its potential for mid-term eruption predictions. The research, conducted from 2017 to 2019, detected a cavity months before the collapse of the North-East Crater in 2017 and identified underground fractures that preceded the emergence of a new eruptive vent in June 2019, which remains active as of February 2020. This pilot experiment underscores muography's capability to monitor the internal dynamics of active volcanoes, offering a novel approach to understanding their plumbing systems. The findings suggest that expanding this technology could establish a robust monitoring system for predicting volcanic activity on timescales of weeks to months.

Lo Presti, D., Riggi, F., Ferlito, C., Bonanno, D. L., Bonanno, G., Gallo, G., La Rocca, P., Reito, S., & Romeo, G. (2020). Muographic monitoring of the volcano-tectonic evolution of Mount Etna. Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-68435-y