Monitoring Ground Surface Deformation of Fentale Volcano using Sentinel-1 InSAR Data: A Case Study of the Northern Main Ethiopian Rift
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Date
2024-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Ground surface deformation caused by volcanic activity serves as a critical indicator of subsurface magmatic processes that can lead to eruptions. This study focuses on Fentale Volcano, located in the Northern Main Ethiopian Rift, which is an active volcano that has experienced periodic eruptions and unrest. Limited geodetic monitoring has restricted comprehensive understanding of deformation patterns at the volcano due to the shortcomings of traditional methods. Meanwhile, InSAR enables effective and cost-efficient analysis over large areas. We utilized InSAR data from the Sentinel-1 satellite mission to analyze ground surface deformation patterns from both ascending (2015-2017) and descending (2015-2022) orbits obtained through the COMET-LiCSAR portal. Therefore, the analysis results were revealed complex patterns of ground uplift, subsidence, and lateral displacement, with mean deformations of -7.36 mm for ascending data and -3.66 mm for descending data. The maximum annual uplift and subsidence velocities were recorded at 17 cm/yr and -23 cm/yr for ascending data, and 50 cm/yr and -43 cm/yr for descending data, respectively. These findings indicate ongoing active deformation, suggesting dynamic magmatic processes within the volcano. Validation of displacement measurements showed a high coefficient of determination (R² = 0.87) between the ascending and descending datasets. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of Sentinel-1 InSAR for long-term monitoring of volcanic ground deformation, enhancing our understanding of Fentale Volcano's behavior and the associated hazards for nearby communities.
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Fentale Volcano, Ground Deformation, InSAR, Main Ethiopian Rift, Sentinel-1, volcano monitoring