New eruption at Etna volcano in Italy – 11th paroxysm this year

The new, 11th paroxysm from the Etna's New SE crater occurred on April 18, 2013 with lava fountains, a lava flow directed into the Valle del Bove, and a column of ash and lapilli that expanded south-southwestward. The phase of lava fountaining was followed by a long series of powerful explosions, with detonations audible as far as Catania.

Another paroxysm is possibly on the way. Strombolian explosions intensified last days and lava appeared at several vents on the New SE crater fissure. Volcanic tremor amplitude is also showing a gradual increase.

Volcanic tremor signal from April 12 to April 18, 2013 (Credit: INGV/EBCN)

OMI_SO2 column 5Km at Etna volcano  on April 18, 2013 (Credit: NOAA/NESDIS/OMI)

Etna thermal image from 13:09 UTC on April 18. 2013 (Credit: INGV/EMOT)

New activity has started from Etna's New SE crater late on April 16, 2013. Degassing vents were seen at the crater. While tremor has been showing a slow increase, activity increased and was followed by strombolian bursts. This activity continued, with minor fluctuations until the early morning of 18 April, when the intensity and frequency of the explosions started to increase.

Following video is showing timelapse movie captured by Webcam LAVE. on April 17, 2013 from 23:30 to 3:30 . (Credit: Monaggio Sascha Di Bartolo, Webcam LAVE).

Last week, on April 11, 2013, Etna surprised us with steam and ash rings. Some volcanologists think that it could be related to brief explosions in a confined vent which then expands into a smoke ring.

Smoke rings puffed by Etna on April 11, 2013 (Credit: Dr. Boris Behncke, INGV)

• Etna webcams (INGV

Sources: INGV, Volcano Discovery, Boris Behncke

Featured image: Eruption of Mt. Etna (Credit: IlSetteMezzoMagazine)