Radon on Mt. Etna (Italy): a useful tracer of geodynamic processes and a potential health hazard to populations

Radon gas and its radioactive daughters have been extensively studied on Mt. Etna, both in local volcanic rocks all types of fluid emissions from the volcano (crater gases, fumaroles, mofettes, soil groundwaters). The first measurements date back to 1976 were carried out crater plume. Since then, fifty-four scientific articles published. largest majority them (more than 50%) correlated radon with activity and/or magma dynamics inside Etna. Many others focused possible correlations between time variations in-soil tectonic activity. concentration radionuclides Etna was measured several occasions order set background values parents study magmas. Some analyzed concentrations groundwaters their temporal changes relation Only a few studies methodological aspects laboratory. Finally, recent years, geoscientists began analyze negative effects human health high indoor houses near active faults. overall results show that, most cases, it is understand endogenous mechanisms that cause release migration surface. Several physical models produced explain how those Etna’s activity, making potential precursors, especially cases eruptive paroxysms. More complex analysis Indeed, if now considered robust methodology for identifying buried faults, are not always clearly seismic This difficulty likely due interplay stress, migration/eruption through In any case, hazard close faults seems be well-established fact, which requires particular attention community public authorities.