Etna flank dynamics: A sensitivity analysis by numerical modelling.

The present work investigates the flank deep instability dynamics of Mount Etna volcano by means of bi-dimensional numerical modelling, comparing finite element and finite difference methods, and by limit equilibrium analysis. The complicated conceptual model was first simplified and progressively implemented with a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the effect of topography, geometry and rheological behaviour of the structural units. The model is then implemented considering the presence of magma pressure along the feeding system. The results are expressed in terms of stress-strain field, displacement pattern, plasticity states and shear strain increments, or factor of safety