Tectonic features of the Lipari–Vulcano complex (Aeolian archipelago, Italy) from 10 years (1996–2006) of GPS data

Abstract

The tectonic deformation of the Lipari–Vulcano complex, one of the most important active volcanic areas of the Mediterranean region, is studied here through the analysis of 10 years (1996–2006) of GPS data from both three permanent and 13 non‐permanent stations. This area can be considered crucial for the understanding of the interaction between the Eurasian and African plates in the Mediterranean area, and, in general, this work emphasizes a methodological approach, already applied in other areas worldwide (J. Geophys. Res., 1996, 101, 27 957; J. Geodyn., 1999, 27, 213) where geodetic data and strain parameters maps of critical areas can help to improve our understanding of their geodynamical aspects. In this framework, this study is aimed at providing a kinematic deformation model on the basis of the dense geodetically estimated velocities of the Lipari–Vulcano complex. In particular, the observed deformation pattern can be described by a combination of (1) the main N–S regional compression and (2) a NNE–SSW compression with a small right‐lateral strike slip component acting along a tectonic structure trending N°40W between the two islands. This pattern was inspected through a simplified synthetic model.

The Ionian and Alfeo–Etna fault zones: New segments of an evolving plate boundary in the central Mediterranean Sea?

“…As suggested by geological, geodetic and seismological data (Cuppari et al, 1999;De Astis et al, 2003;Goes et al, 2004;Favalli et al, 2005;Neri et al, 2005;Govers and Wortel, 2005;Billi et al, 2006;Mattia et al, 2008;Palano et al, 2012;De Guidi et al, 2013;Scarfì et al, 2013), this regional discontinuity in the Tyrrhenian offshore, is characterized by transtensional right-lateral motion. It appears to have a primary role in the geodynamics of the Aeolian sector of the southern Tyrrhenian domain, influencing both seismicity and volcanism (Barreca et al, 2014b).…”

“…(Figure 1) has been described on-land up to the Novara village (Billi et al, 2006;De Guidi et al, 2013). This fault system has been further defined through geodetic and seismological studies (Neri et al, 2005;Mattia et al, 2008). In particular, it is characterized by GPS relative velocities of ~3.6 mm/yr along the N126E direction (Mattia et al, 2009;Palano et al, 2012), and by an alignment of deep earthquakes (Scarfì et al, 2005.…”

Millstones as indicators of relative sea-level changes in northern Sicily and southern Calabria coastlines, Italy

“…In this context, the belt between the southernmost sector of the Aeolian archipelago and north-eastern Sicily (Fig. 1), dominated by the VulcanoeTindari fault system (Lanzafame and Bousquet, 1997;Billi et al, 2006), currently separates two geodynamic regimes (Argnani et al, 2007; Mattia et al, 2008Mattia et al, , 2009). To the east, an extensional domain is dominated by incipient rifting that, characterized by strong crustal seismicity and volcanism, cuts across the Strait of Messina reactivating the normal faults of the Tyrrhenian sector of Calabria and the Malta Escarpment in the eastern Sicily offshore (SiculoeCalabrian rift zone; Monaco and Tortorici, 2000).…”

Multiparametric Approach in Investigating Volcano-Hydrothermal Systems: the Case Study of Vulcano (Aeolian Islands, Italy)

“…1;e.g., VENTURA et al, 1999). It trends roughly NNW-SSE and is composed of right lateral strike-slip faults, still active on Vulcano (MATTIA et al, 2008). Vulcano has been active in the last few centuries, erupting calc-alkaline and shoshonitic products (BARBERI et al, 1974) and showing an explosive nature with frequent transitions from phreato-magmatic to magmatic activity (MERCALLI and SILVESTRI, 1890;BARBERI et al, 1988).…”