Surface deformations and gravity changes caused by pressurized finite ellipsoidal cavities. Issue 1 (3rd September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nikkhoo, Mehdi; Rivalta, Eleonora
• Is Part Of: Geophysical journal international. Volume 232:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 643
• Page End: 655
• Publication Date: 2022-09-03
• Subjects: Geomechanics -- Kinematics of crustal and mantle deformation -- Physics of magma and magma bodies -- Volcano monitoring; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1093/gji/ggac351
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-540X

Abstract

SUMMARY: We develop quasi-analytical solutions for the surface deformation field and gravity changes due to the pressurization of a finite (triaxial) ellipsoidal cavity in a half-space. The solution is in the form of a non-uniform distribution of triaxial point sources within the cavity. The point sources have the same aspect ratio, determined by the cavity shape, while their strengths and spacing are determined in an adaptive manner, such that the net point-source potency per unit volume is uniform. We validate and compare our solution with analytical and numerical solutions. We provide computationally efficient MATLAB codes tailored for source inversions. This solution opens the possibility of exploring the geometry of shallow magma chambers for potential deviations from axial symmetry.