Another paroxysmal eruptive episode at Etna's Southeast Crater, 16th this year

In the early morning hours of Sunday, November 17, 2013, a new paroxysmal eruptive episode occurred at Etna's New Southeast Crater.

This episode, which came less than six days after the previous paroxysm, was characterized by violent strombolian activity and pulsating lava fountains, emission of lava flows toward south, east-southeast and northeast, and the formation of an eruption column charged with pyroclastic material that was blown by the wind toward northeast.

As its predecessors, this episode ended with a long series of powerful explosions and loud bangs heard tens of kilometers away. The lava flows toward south and northeast are considerably less extensive than those emitted during the November 11, 2013 paroxysm.

On the evening of November 17 strombolian activity a the New Southeast Crater is again intensifying. 

This marks the 16th paroxysmal episode in 2013. 

Video courtesy of Volcano Discovery

During early morning hours of November 16th there has been a gradual intensification of the strombolian activity at the New Southeast Crater, with pulsating puffs of vapor but, for the moment, without emission of volcanic ash.

Contemporaneously there has also been an increase in the volcanic tremor amplitude recorded by the seismic network of the INGV-Osservatorio Etneo.

The strombolian activity has been under way, in an intermittent manner and, until the morning, at rather modest levels, since the evening of November 12, 2013, following a quiescent interval of less than 24 hours after the conclusion of the previous paroxysmal eruptive episode. 

Source: INGV Sezione di Catania