Integration of geotechnical modeling and remote sensing data to analyze the evolution of an active volcanic area: The case of New South East Crater (Mount Etna)

A combined approach based on remote sensing techniques and geotechnical modeling has been adopted to assess the hazard linked the instability a cinder cone recently formed on the summit area of the Mount Etna as a consequence of a very active volcanic phase started in January 2011 from the New South East Crater (NSEC). A multisensor and multitemporal approach was adopted to update the topographical surface at the top of the volcano: Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and maps from interferometric SAR data and high-resolution photogrammetric images processing were integrated. A probabilistic analysis has been conducted to determine the stability of the NSEC, quantify the possible unstable volumes and define the covered area from the feasible collapse. The work is aimed at assessing a consistent procedure that, starting from the capability of rapidly mapping the new volcanic structure and from a preliminary knowledge of the geotechnical characteristics of the material forming its slopes, may be adopted for a first evaluation of the occurrence and the effects of potential instabilities.