Affiliations: Department of Earth Sciences & High Performance
Computing Center, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy. rongo@unical.it | Department of Mathematics & High Performance
Computing Center, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy. spataro@unical.it | Department of Mathematics & High Performance
Computing Center, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy.
d.dambrosio@unical.it | Department of Mathematics, University of Calabria,
Rende, Italy. avoliomv@unical.it | Department of Architecture and Planning, University of
Sassari, Alghero, Italy. trunfio@uniss.it | Department of Mathematics & High Performance
Computing Center, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy. dig@unical.it
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dipartimento di Matematica -
Università della Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
Abstract: A hybrid technique based on Cellular Automata and Genetic Algorithms
has been used for modeling lava flows on Mt Etna volcano (Italy). In
particular, a Parallel Master-Slave Genetic Algorithm has been applied to
evolve a two dimensional Cellular Automatamodel for
"aa"-type lava flows, typical of the considered study
area. Specifically, the 2001 Etnean Nicolosi case study has been considered for
model calibration, while a subsequent validation phase has been performed by
considering further events occurred in the same area. Results have confirmed
both the goodness of the cellular automata simulation model and of the genetic
algorithm employed for its calibration. An application concerning hazard
evaluation has been subsequently performed on a vast area of the volcano,
regarding different types of vulnerability assessments. Results have pointed
out the validity of the methodology and its usefulness for Civil Defence
purposes.
