Strong eruption at Etna, 50th paroxysmal eruptive episode ejects ash up to 9 km (30 000 feet) a.s.l., Italy
Image credit: INGV-OE
After about 3 weeks of calm, activity at Etna volcano, Italy intensified again around 15:00 UTC on August 29 with a transition to lava fountaining at 16:45 UTC, marking the volcano's 50th paroxysmal eruptive episode since February 16, 2021. The strong explosive activity lasted to 18:00 UTC.
The Aviation Color Code was raised to Red at 15:25 and lowered back to Orange at 04:15 UTC on August 30.
Dark ash plumes from the crater rose to an estimated 9 km (30 000 feet) above sea level at 17:10 UTC and drifted eastward.
At 03:45 UTC on August 30, SO2 cloud was clearly identifiable from satellite data over Greece, drifting eastward and dissipating.
Seismicity at Etna volcano from August 23 – 30, 2021. Credit: INGV-OE
Eruption at Etna volcano on August 29, 2021. Credit: Boris Behncke
SO2 plume produced by the eruption of Etna volcano on August 29, 2021. Credit: Copernicus EU/Sentinel-5P, Adam Platform, Antonio Vecoli, TW
Etna volcano on August 30, 2021. Credit: Copernicus EU/Sentinel-2, Antonio Vecoli, TW
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
