Actively growing anticlines beneath Catania from the distal motion of Mount Etna's decollement measured by SAR interferometry and GPS

We used SAR interferometry and GPS to measure the rise of an anticline bene ath the urban area of Catania (Italy), which originates from outward thrust ing above the basal decollement of Etna volcano. The anticline grows at a r ate of over 0.015 m a(-1) of SE thrusting and about 0.007 m a(-1) of relati ve uplift. By relating this growth to the simultaneous extension measured a t the summit of the volcano, we demonstrate the occurrence of active volcan ic spreading. This process may exert a control on eruptions, earthquakes, s ector collapses. and landslides.