Ash rises up to 9 km (29 500 feet) a.s.l. after 11th paroxysm at Etna, Italy

etna-volcano-eruption-march-10-2021-italy

Strombolian activity at Etna's Southeast Crater intensified again at 18:35 UTC on March 9, 2021, and reached the fountain phase between 23:00 UTC and midnight on March 10. This was the 11th paroxysmal eruptive episode at the volcano since February 16.

Ash column rose up to 8 or 9 km (29 500 feet) above sea level and drifted in the ENE direction, resulting in ash and lapilli relapses in the Mascali-Fiumefreddo area.

Lava flow expanded from the eastern side of the Southeast Crater toward Valle del Bove, reaching an altitude of about 1.8 km (1.1 miles).

Another small overflow took place at the saddle vent on the southwest side of the crater.

Lava fountain activity ceased at 03:30 UTC and was followed by modest ash emissions which ended at around 06:00 UTC.

The paroxysm was accompanied by usual geophysical signals — a strong increase in the magnitude of volcanic tremor, whose main source had stabilized under the Southeast Crater, and a rapid decrease at the end of the lava fountain phase; infrasonic signals and soil deformation.

Eruption at Etna volcano on March 10, 2021. Credit: Boris Behncke/INGV

Eruption at Etna volcano on March 10, 2021. Credit: Boris Behncke/INGV

Eruption at Etna volcano on March 10, 2021. Credit: Boris Behncke/INGV

Eruption at Etna volcano on March 10, 2021. Credit: Boris Behncke/INGV

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: Eruption at Etna volcano on March 10, 2021. Credit: Boris Behncke/INGV

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2 Comments

  1. Hi Folks,
    I see “The Might Eye” everywhere pay attention to the images, especially the latest volcano popping in Nicaragua. I live in NZ we live in those days – we are The Watchers watching over Humankind…..Be Prepared. Teo you are doing a fantastic JOB! Pozdrav Peter

  2. i wonder if those in power are preparing us with these lockdowns with these volcanic eruptions in mind?Its not just Etna but volcanoes are blowing off across the globe…big ash eruptions over 30,000ft which is high enough to start dimming the sun something which Bill Gates wants to do anyway…strange creature,i guess he wants to keep the myth of global warming going and distract from the volcanic activity…Bill to the rescue, manages to bring down global temperatures with his sun dimming plan.Meanwhile like in 1815 the Earth endures a year without a summer,crop losses and hunger pains as the food gets in short supply.Fortunately governments planned ahead and reduced alot of the population by mass vaccination getting rid of alot of the elderly mouths to feed and got us all accustomed to queuing for our daily bread..the cold times are returning,make sure you all keep warm!

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