7th spectacular paroxysm at Etna volcano produces heavy ashfall, Italy

A sudden increase in volcanic tremor detected at Etna's Southeast Crater at 07:44 UTC on Sunday morning, February 28, 2021, quickly led to another spectacular paroxysm — the 7^th since February 16.

This paroxysmal episode was characterized by a remarkable intensity and short duration, with the activity of tall lava fountains lasting about 30 minutes.

The fountaining peaked at 08:25 UTC and stopped almost suddenly at 08:33 UTC, while the lava flow towards Valle del Bove remained active.

Ash column rose several kilometers above the crater and spread into a large umbrella cloud.

Heavy ashfall was reported ESE of the volcano, particularly in Zafferana, Milo and Fornazzo villages where 1 – 2 cm (0.4 – 0.8 inches) of ash was reported.

Members of the VolcanoDiscovery Team observed the eruption from approximately 10 km (6.2 miles) distance in a location between Fornazzo and Sant'Alfio, at the very edge of the ash fallout.

"Even there, black scoria of up to 3 cm (1.2 inches) in diameter were falling like hail during a storm, causing us to seek shelter under a roof," volcanologist Tom Pfeiffer said.

A significant bush fire started during the peak phase of yesterday's activity in the Valle del Bove near or on the southern slope of Monte Rinato, Pfeiffer added.

"Initially, the appearance of fumes from this area raised speculations of a possible new vent in the Valle del Bove, but soon were discarded. The cause of the fire remains speculative, but most likely, it was ignited by an exceptionally far-traveled hot volcanic bomb that landed in an area of dense, dry vegetation yesterday."

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 (5.1 x 6.2 miles) horseshoe-shaped caldera open to the east.

Two styles of eruptive activity typically occur at Etna. Persistent explosive eruptions, sometimes with minor lava emissions, take place from one or more of the three prominent summit craters, the Central Crater, NE Crater, and SE Crater (the latter formed in 1978).

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. (GVP)

Featured image credit: Copernicus EU/Sentinel-2