Rapid deployment of a seismo-acoustic experiment at Mt. Etna, Italy, following a marked increase in eruptive activity

The physics that define the relationships between the characteristics of seismic and acoustic signals recorded during eruptions and the rate at which gas and pyroclasts are ejected from volcanic vents remain elusive.

Presently, scientists rely on data-informed models that describe relations - for example - between the magnitude of ground displacement recorded during eruptions and the height of eruption ash columns, or between the mass of material injected into the atmosphere during eruptions and the height of volcanic plumes.

These relations are widely used in operational settings, for example to produce forecasts of atmospheric volcanic ash dispersal that, in turn, have implications for risk management. However, physics-based models able to confirm the validity of these empirical models are still lacking.

In addition, msn of these empirical laws are based on data collected in the past with a resolution not comparable to what has become available throughout the last decade. The ongoing eruptive activity at Mt.

Etna (Italy) offers a rare opportunity to collect data suitable for implementing validating new models to address this scientific gap.

Eruptive activity at Etna such as that observed starting in mid-to-late February 2021, is recorded once every decade or even longer. The last comparable episode before present was in 2011. A NERC Urgency Grant is the ideal framework to seize an opportunity that is not frequently available.

We propose an experiment to help addressing key scientific questions on the relations between the intensity of seismic and acoustic tremor at erupting volcanoes and the dynamics of eruption.

We anticipate that future research based on the newly collected data will have impact on hazard assessment and risk mitigation at Mt. Etna, and other eruption prone areas.

In order to maximize the impact of the proposed study we commit to publicly release the data collected starting from month 6 of the project.