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Increased explosive activity at Etna volcano, Aviation Color Code Red, Italy

etna-eruption-july-27-2019

Explosive activity has increased again at Etna's New Southeast Crater (NSEC) early July 27, 2019.

INGV said their surveillance cameras showed gas emission from the base of the southern flank of NSEC, indicating that a new fissure has opened at the crater.

The phenomenon has been preceded and accompanied by the gradual increase in the average amplitude of volcanic tremor and followed by small lava flow.

The Aviation Color Code was raised to Red.

The volcanic ash cloud is currently reaching 4.5 km (15 000 feet) above sea level.

Image credit: INGV

Update

08:15 UTC, July 28

(INGV) From 15:40 UTC [July 27], the signals from the seismic network show a significant decrease in the average amplitude of volcanic tremor. At the same time, a substantial decrease in explosive activity is detected at the NSEC (the emission of a thick gaseous plume of light color remains, without significant amounts of ash). Effusive activity from the new fissure along the southern side of the NSEC continues. 

From 7:46 UTC [July 28], emissions of small amounts of brown-reddish ash, which quickly scatters in an atmosphere near the crater.

Average SO2 values at 07:45 UTC: ~15 000 tonnes/day with the maximum up to 20 000 t/d.

There are no significant variations in tilt and GPS stations since yesterday afternoon.

Geological summary

Mount Etna, towering above Catania, Sicily's second-largest city, has one of the world's longest documented records of historical volcanism, dating back to 1500 BCE.

Historical lava flows of basaltic composition cover much of the surface of this massive volcano, whose edifice is the highest and most voluminous in Italy. The Mongibello stratovolcano, truncated by several small calderas, was constructed during the late Pleistocene and Holocene over an older shield volcano.

The most prominent morphological feature of Etna is the Valle del Bove, a 5 x 10 km (3.1 x 6.2 miles)horseshoe-shaped caldera open to the east. Two styles of eruptive activity typically occur, sometimes simultaneously. Persistent explosive eruptions, sometimes with minor lava emissions, take place from one or more summit craters.

Flank vents, typically with higher effusion rates, are less frequently active and originate from fissures that open progressively downward from near the summit (usually accompanied by Strombolian eruptions at the upper end).

Cinder cones are commonly constructed over the vents of lower-flank lava flows. Lava flows extend to the foot of the volcano on all sides and have reached the sea over a broad area on the SE flank. This volcano is located within the Mount Etna, a UNESCO World Heritage property.

Featured image credit: INGV

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3 Comments

  1. I DO NOT NEED YOUR APPROVAL for my comments,GOD has already approved them,IF you delete them,you’ll be covered with the blood of millions,and OUR LORD will delete YOU…

  2. YOU guys ain’t seen nothing yet,wait till MOA LOA the big volcano in hawaii blows and kills everyone on the Island,then the big one in mexico blows and kills millions in mexico city,then a big one in washington and oregon at least a 9.2 hit them and sets off rainer and takes out seattle,THEN the one we’ve all been waiting for hits california..A 12.3..and off into the ocean they go….

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