New eruption near the summit of Etna volcano, Italy
A new eruption has started near the summit of Etna volcano, Italy early May 30, 2019 (UTC).
"Two new eruptive fissures have opened early May 30, 2019, on the northern and southeastern sides of the New Southeast Crater, producing modest strombolian activity and small lava flows," INGV's Boris Behncke reports.
The image below was taken from Tremestieri Etneo just a few minutes after the fissures opened:
Etna on May 30, 2019. Credit: Boris Behncke
"Volcanic ash is not detectable in spite of good visibility. Lava flow is observed over SE crater but no ash emission is detected," the Toulouse VAAC reported 02:20 UTC.
The Aviation Color Code is Orange.
Update:
The Aviation Color Code was raised to Red at 11:21 UTC.
Volcanic ash is rising between 3.5 and 4 km (11 500 to 13 120 feet) above sea level, the Toulouse VAAC reported.
**end of update**
The last significant activity at the volcano took place in February 2019. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Red and ash has caused partial closure of the Catania International Airport.
Mount Etna at 11:17 UTC on February 18, 2019. Credit: SkyLine Webcams
A new flank eruption, the first in nearly 11 years, began at Mount Etna on December 24, 2018, forcing authorities to raise the Aviation Color Code to Red.
An intense earthquake swarm started at the volcano at 07:50 UTC, with more than 130 earthquakes in the first three hours. The largest was M4.0 at 12:08 UTC, located on the NE side of the volcano at a depth of 2 km (1.2 miles).
The seismic activity was accompanied by a gradual increase in the degassing from the summit, initially with sporadic ash emissions emitted by the Bocca Nuova and the NE Crater which culminated at about 11:00 UTC with increased explosive activity and a continuous dense plume of dark ash. According to the Toulouse VAAC, volcanic ash cloud rose up to 5.5 km (18 000 feet) above sea level.
Featured image: Two new fissures open on the Etna's northern and southeastern sides of the New Southeast Crater. Credit: Boris Behncke/INGV
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