Insights into the subsurface structure of Mt. Vetore pyroclastic cone (Etna) using ambient vibIrations technique

Several parasitic pyroclastic cones affect Mt. Etna flanks. The present study aims to provide, through a ambient vibrations survey, useful information on subsurface structure of Mt. Vetore pyroclastic cone, located in the upper S rift zone. Ambient noise recordings were performed in the Mt. Vetore cone area, using a short period velocimeter and processing data through the HVNR technique. The time-frequency (TF) polarization analysis was also applied. Results show that the maxima of the horizontal ground motion polarization take place almost perpendicularly to the main buried magma-feeding fractures, which are trending North-North-West, and point the existence, in the investigated area, of at least 50 m thick pyroclastic deposits overlaying the lava rock cooled within the eruptive fracture NNW oriented.