Clustering of seismicity at Mount Etna

The aim of this study is to understand the seismic characteristics of fault systems, which play key roles in the geodynamics of the Mt. Etna and the a scending magma. Understanding the seismic behaviour of fault systems and th eir relationship to volcanic and seismic phenomena may provide a useful con tribution to a better understanding of dynamic processes at Mt. Etna. The s eismicity in two periods (1874-1923 and 1981-1996), which include some impo rtant eruptions, have been analysed. Quantitative analysis of seismicity ha s been performed. Calculating fractal dimension allows us to distinguish be tween random, periodic and clustered scale-invariant time distributions of volcanic events. Correlations between fractal clustering evolution at long, mid and short term and eruptive processes has been found. (C) 2000 Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.