Finding realistic dike models from interferometric synthetic aperture radar data: The February 2000 eruption at Piton de la Fournaise

Dike intrusions often cause complex ground displacements that are not sufficiently explained by simple analytical models. We develop a method to find complex and realistic dike geometries and overpressures from interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data. This method is based on a combination of a boundary element method with realistic topography and a neighborhood algorithm inversion. Dike model geometry is roughly a quadrangle with its top reaching the ground. The inversion has two stages: search and appraisal. The appraisal stage involves calculations of model marginal probability density functions using misfit values calculated during the search stage. The misfit function takes into account the variance and correlation of data noise. Synthetic tests show that a model is successfully retrieved within predicted narrow confidence intervals. We apply the method on InSAR data of the February 2000 flank eruption at Piton de la Fournaise and get a trapezoid dike dipping seaward (61.0°–67.3°) with its bottom passing 800–1000 m beneath the summit. A model with a basal slip plane does not better explain observed asymmetric displacements, and thus this asymmetry is solely attributed to the dipping dike. The dike lies above a narrow band of preeruption seismicity, suggesting that lateral magma propagation occurred. Neglecting topography results in poor modeling at depth and in overestimations of overpressure (or opening), height (both about 30%), and volume (about 20%).