Description
This model covers an about 100m x 40m wide area, and shows a segment of the active Pernicana fault system, crossing, cutting and offsetting a road (S.P. Mereneve) along the eastern flank of Mt Etna volcano. It is possible to observe a series of offset features of different age. Starting from the most recent one, the asphalt pavimentation of the road is affected by a series of fractures and faults with small offset that can be seen in proximity of the car and at about 10 m from the car. Zooming in, it is possobile to notice that one of these faults offsets the central white strip in a left-lateral strike-slip sense. Also the older white strips at the road sides are locally offset by the faults. Similarly, the asphalt as a whole shows a left-lateral strike-slip deformation. This is evident also within the older asphalt that can be seen at the sides of the younger asphalt. Moreover, an anticlockwise rotation of the walls that limit the road at the sides can be clearly seen, compatible with the left-lateral strike-slip movements of the main fault. The Pernicana Fault System has an overall E–W strike and develops eastward from the NE Rift. Further details regarding the Pernicana Fault System are provided in Neri et al. (2004).

Credits: 3D DOM provided by Fabio L. Bonali; funding is from MIUR project ACPR15T4_00098 (http://argo3d.unimib.it/). Model description by Alessadro Tibaldi.

References

  • Neri, M., Acocella, V., & Behncke, B. (2004). The role of the Pernicana Fault System in the spreading of Mt. Etna (Italy) during the 2002–2003 eruption. Bulletin of Volcanology, 66(5), 417-430.