InSAR Observation for the Surface Displacements at Mt. Etna between 2003 and 2007

Abstract

This research is mainly devoted to InSAR observations using Poly-Interferogram Rate and Time-series Estimator (π-rate) software to investigate continuous surface displacement at Mt. Etna (Sicily), Italy between 2003 and 2007. Using ascending and descending SAR images produced by European Space Agency’s ENVISAT, we generate a set of interferograms which are used to determine the deformation history of Etna from 2003 to 2007. Using (π-rate), we can generate the InSAR time-series and ratemap while minimizing errors induced by the satellites orbit and atmospheric phase delays. During the period of 2003-2007, three separate eruptions were observed. In order to explain the deformation, we solve three displacement rate for 2003-2005, 2006 and 2007. As expected, the result suggests that displacement rates are not constant with respect to time. During 2006 the volcano appeared to switch from a period of deflation to a period of inflation.