Decoding temporal deformation patterns: From Magma Triggers to Mush Dynamics

Understanding magma movement beneath volcanoes is key for predicting eruptions. Traditionally, uplift at the surface has been seen as a direct sign of magma intrusion, sometimes prolonged by later processes inside the magmatic system. Our work shows that uplift can restart even without new magma input when poro-viscoelastic behaviour is considered. By adjusting the mechanical properties of the magmatic plumbing system, we can reproduce the diverse deformation patterns observed worldwide—where volcanoes uplift and subside without erupting. This suggests that magma intrusion may act only as a short-lived trigger, while long-term changes are driven by internal dynamics within the mush. These findings reshape how we interpret volcanic feeding processes and connect subsurface behaviour more directly to geodetic signals.