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Etna volcano - eruption update (28 Feb-30 April 2021)

Updated: Mar 28, 2024 17:28 GMT -

Etna volcano (Italy): swarm of tiny earthquakes under eastern flank

Fri, 30 Apr 2021, 16:37 16:37 PM | BY: T
Epicenters and depth of recent earthquakes at Etna volcano
Epicenters and depth of recent earthquakes at Etna volcano
Ash emission from the New SE crater this morning (image: LAVE webcam)
Ash emission from the New SE crater this morning (image: LAVE webcam)
Weak glow visible during a weak emission of the vent at night
Weak glow visible during a weak emission of the vent at night
A swarm of small earthquakes has been occurring under the volcano since yesterday: about 50 tiny quakes with magnitudes between 1.0 and 2.2 were detected over the past 24 hours in an area on the lower eastern flank, roughly between the towns of Milo, Mascali and Giarre.
The depths of the quakes are mostly between 10-20 km in the lower crust where they might - or might not - indicate small events related to magma storage at lower reservoirs. It seems unlikely this will directly affect or translate into changes of the surface activity of the volcano in any near future. This is, at least, as long as the earthquakes are small as they are and don't approach shallower levels.

New SE crater calms down again, remains weakly active
At the surface, the volcano has remained quite calm. The recently observed trend of increasing activity at the New SE crater has reversed again. During the past 36 hours, there were only sporadic ash emissions with weak glow visible sometimes at night, suggesting that explosions are only small and occurring deep inside the vent, without ejecting glowing material above the crater rim.

After almost 4 weeks of calm, New SE crater is showing signs of life again!

Update Tue 27 Apr 2021 16:37
Strombolian explosion at Etna's New SE crater late on 26 April 2021 (image: Boris Behncke / facebook)
Strombolian explosion at Etna's New SE crater late on 26 April 2021 (image: Boris Behncke / facebook)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
After almost 4 weeks of calm since the last paroxysm (during 31 Mar-1 Apr), the New SE crater is again showing signs of coming back to life:
Two strong strombolian explosions occurred in the night of 24-25 April and in the morning of 26 April at the Southeast Crater, followed by weak glow and smaller occasional explosions since last evening.
It is too early to predict whether this activity will continue and possibly increase towards another strong eruptive phase with lava fountaining (or paroxysm), but it might very well do so. Volcanic tremor has been showing a gradual slow increase during the past two days.
According to volcanologist Dr. Boris Behncke from INGV Catania, ground deformation is still extremely low, compared to what was seen between the period of inflation (reflecting magma charging) during last autumn-winter and the deflation caused by the series of paroxysms in February-March.
Only Etna will know what is coming up next!

17th paroxysm of Etna - spectacular video

Update Fri 02 Apr 2021 09:27
Etna's new effusive vent at the southern base of the SE crater active during 31 Mar - 1 April (image: Michele Mammino)
Etna's new effusive vent at the southern base of the SE crater active during 31 Mar - 1 April (image: Michele Mammino)
The latest lava fountain episode or paroxysm, counting number 17 since 16 Feb 2021, has ended. Volcanic activity at the New SE crater gradually and very slowly declined since the afternoon to finally ceased at some point in the late (?) evening.
This eruptive episode had been very remarkable, even for Etna standards, and for several reasons:
First, while its intensity at peak phase may not have quite reached the same values as many of the previous 16 episodes since mid February, it lasted significantly longer than any other, with about 12 hours of lava fountaining, and a very long build-up and declining phases, making the whole episode lasting almost two days!
Secondly, the opening of a new effusive vent at the southern base of the cone in the morning of 31 March also marked a significantly different behavior than observed previously. As to its causes, we can only speculate that the uppermost parts of the conduit system had become sufficiently unstable by now, so that when pressure in the upper conduit increased, it opened a fracture at a lower point, at the southern base of the cone, and allowed some of the magma to find an easier there.
This would explain why the intensity of the eruption later at the summit vent was a bit lower,- some of the magma was "diverted" just before reaching the summit.

Local Etna specialist filmmaker Michele Mammino took some of the most remarkable videos of this eruption, in particular close-up shots of the new fissure vent that was active at the southern base of the New SE crater. Enjoy:


It is worth mentioning that during the whole time of the eruptive phase at the New SE crater, the other summit vents continued their intermittent mild strombolian activity.

Eruptive episode still going on strong

Update Thu 01 Apr 2021 07:15
Activity from Etna's New SE crater with two lava flows into Valle del Bove (image: INGV themal webcam on east flank)
Activity from Etna's New SE crater with two lava flows into Valle del Bove (image: INGV themal webcam on east flank)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
The 17th paroxysm (lava fountain episode) from the New SE crater in a row has been going on all night, and is still increasing as of 9 am this morning local time, making it a record-breaker in terms of duration.
The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) in Catania reported that strombolian activity at the SE Crater passed to sustained lava fountains from around midnight, meaning that these now have been continuing for more than 9 hours! The eruption column has been rising to an altitude of approx. 7 km (20,000 ft) and dispersing towards the SSW, where it is raining black lapilli and volcanic sand now.
The effusive activity from the new fissure vent at the southern base, which had been active since yesterday morning continues to produce weak explosive activity and to feed a lava flow that flows SSE into the western sector of the Valle del Bove.
A second lava flow began as overflow from the eastern summit vent of the crater shortly after midnight, in tandem with the onset of lava fountains at the summit, and is traveling eastward down into the upper part of the Valle del Bove.
Finally, while all this action is happening at the SE crater, the eruptive activity at the other summit craters remains unchanged as if their conduits were completely independent from the one SE crater's.

17th lava fountaining episode at New SE crater started

Update Wed 31 Mar 2021 21:54
Strong activity from the new effusive vent (glow in center of image) and lava fountains from the summit vent of Etna's New SE crater (center right) (image: INGV webcam)
Strong activity from the new effusive vent (glow in center of image) and lava fountains from the summit vent of Etna's New SE crater (center right) (image: INGV webcam)
Same view on the thermal webcam (INGV)
Same view on the thermal webcam (INGV)
Thermal view from the east side at Monte Cagliato showing the advancing lava flow from the southern vent and the lava fountains of the summit vent (image: INGV webcam)
Thermal view from the east side at Monte Cagliato showing the advancing lava flow from the southern vent and the lava fountains of the summit vent (image: INGV webcam)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
During the past hours, activity has gradually been (and still is) increasing at the New SE crater, and it has entered the lava fountaining or paroxysmal phase.
While activity from the the new eruptive vent that opened this morning at the southern base of the SE crater continued to increase, feeding lava flows, in particular one directed south and southwest towards the Valle del Bove, the summit vent has been activated again to join the action. Its activity began with smaller explosions that quickly grew in intensity and now started to generate lava fountains, constantly increasing in height and likely already surpassing 200 meters as of now.
Resulting from this, a significant ash plume began to rise above the crater and is drifting in southerly directions. The volcano observatory in Catania raised the aviation color code to RED due to these strong ash emissions, likely to increase further in the coming hours.
The 17th paroxysm of Etna's New SE crater since mid February has started. How long it might last could range from few to many hours.

New lava flow from southern base of SE crater

Update Wed 31 Mar 2021 18:36
View of the New SE crater from Schiena dell'Asino (image: LAVE webcam)
View of the New SE crater from Schiena dell'Asino (image: LAVE webcam)
Rising tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Rising tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
While activity and volcanic tremor at the SE crater complex overall continue to increase, the action seems to be been taking a different path this time, when compared to what happened in the build-up phases before the previous 16 paroxysms:
Already early this morning, around 3:30 am local time, a new effusive vent opened on the southern base of the crater complex at approx. 3000 m elevation and began to feed several small lava flows towards the SSW, S and SSE.
The volcano observatory reported that the SSW and S lava flows appeared poorly fed and their fronts were confined between 2800 - 2900 m asl. The SSE flow was more voluminous and had almost reached the edge of the Valle del Bove by early evening. This activity is strongly increasing at the time of update and it is still unclear whether it will produce lava fountains.
In any case, today marks a significant change in the behavior of the New SE crater, at least when it comes to its manifestation at the surface. Activity essentially has moved back to a location more to the S or SW of the cone, rather than continuing to propagate towards the eastern end of the feeding conduit. In addition, a vent at a lower location might mean that the summit vents have become more difficult for the magma column to reach.
Usually, before the onset of lava fountaining, activity had almost always begun at the summit vents of the SE cone complex, followed by a lava flow emerging from the eastern end of the eruptive fracture, which cuts through the upper parts of the cone.
Eventually, especially during the first paroxysms, other vents along the S and SW parts of the fracture activated as well, also feeding fountains and often a smaller lava flow to the S or SW. During March, activity gradually had moved more and more to the eastern end, with no activity at the southern and western end any more. This clearly has changed now.
What happens on Europe's most active volcano remains fascinating to follow!

Increasing activity - maybe 17th paroxysm in making?

Update Wed 31 Mar 2021 09:18
Mild strombolian eruption at Etna's New SE crater this morning (image: LAVE webcam)
Mild strombolian eruption at Etna's New SE crater this morning (image: LAVE webcam)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
For about one week since the last eruptive episode with lava fountains (paroxysm) from Etna's New SE crater, the volcano has been quite calm, and the rhythm of paroxysms every 2-3 days obviously was broken.
While mild explosive activity had been continuing inside the Bocca Nuova, Northeast Crater and Voragine craters, the New SE crater had not shown significant activity - until now.
The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Catania (INGV) reported that weak strombolian activity as well as intermittent ash emissions from the Southeast Crater resumed yesterday after noon. Volcanic tremor has started to show a clear increase above the average during the past days.
Based on the pattern observed during the previous 16 episodes, the current increase might very well herald a new paroxysm coming up in the near future, which could be only hours away from the time of this update.

Live videos of the (ongoing) eruption and details of hot avalanche at night

Update Wed 24 Mar 2021 08:02
Lava fountains this morning recorded by LocalTeam's live stream
Lava fountains this morning recorded by LocalTeam's live stream
Two screenshots during the pyroclastic flows, showing its advance (top) and the hot deposit and ash plume rising after its passage (b) (image: Vedetta video)
Two screenshots during the pyroclastic flows, showing its advance (top) and the hot deposit and ash plume rising after its passage (b) (image: Vedetta video)
The eruption continues at impressive intensity, still with lava fountaining and the emission of a tall eruption column. There are several great live videos, one provided by LocalTeam:


The other one is the live view from Vedetta.
It allows to scroll back in time to see the whole eruption so far (many hours...). One particularly interesting moment is when the fountaining generated a pyroclastic flow (glowing avalanche) from the New SE crater during the peak of phase. It can be seen in the recorded webcam video below (scroll back to 03:37): suddenly, part of the lava flow and accumulated hot material mobilizes into an avalanche on the eastern fissure and quickly descends the flank, reaching more than 1 km length.

Activity continues with lava flows active

Update Wed 24 Mar 2021 07:27
Thermal view of the main lava flow (image: INGV thermal webcam)
Thermal view of the main lava flow (image: INGV thermal webcam)
The eruption is not quite over yet... Lava effusion continues to produce and feed two flows. The larger one to the east is descending into the Valle del Bove, while a second one to the south is currently stagnating somewhere between the Torre del Filosofo area and the New SE cone.

Etna illuminates Sicily's night sky during its 16th paroxysmal eruptive episode in a row

Update Wed 24 Mar 2021 07:17
Lava fountain during the peak of the lastest paroxysm at Etna's New SE crater (image: Giorgio Costa / facebook)
Lava fountain during the peak of the lastest paroxysm at Etna's New SE crater (image: Giorgio Costa / facebook)
Thermal view of the lava fountain (image: thermal webcam of INGV)
Thermal view of the lava fountain (image: thermal webcam of INGV)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Ongoing activity this morning (image: LAVE webcam)
Ongoing activity this morning (image: LAVE webcam)
It may have come after the longest-yet interval, 4.5 days, almost double the previous average, since the previous lava fountaining episode, but it made up for it by lasting more than twice as long: The 16th paroxysm from Etna's New SE crater in only 5 weeks time, which had started in the late evening, lasted through the whole night and essentially still goes on!

After being more or less completely silent for several days, the New SE crater started again strombolian activity from around 8pm local time, and this activity quickly began to increase as we had already observed in our previous updates yesterday evening.
From around 11 pm, the explosions merged into sustained lava fountaining, from which point on it the eruption is commonly called a paroxysm. Instead of its peak phase lasting only 1-2 hours as during most previous eruptions, it continued for almost 5 hours! Only after 3:30 am, the intensity of the eruption dropped a bit. However, again different from most previous episodes, the intensity of activity did not drop quickly to low levels, but has since remained at still high levels.
As of the time of this post, around 7 am, the eruptive is still going on strongly, with vigorous strombolian explosions from the New SE crater and continued lava effusion.
Different from previous paroxysms as well, the lava fountains seemed not to have reached the same great heights lava effusion was much less intense: Although rather broad, the active lava flow traveling east from the active crater as usual has only reached approx. 1 km length and its front is still only at the upper rim of the rim of the Valle del Bove at around 2900 m elevation.
The volcano observatory reported that the associated eruption column rose to approx. 6 km altitude and drifted South-South East, causing ash fall in Catania. The airport had to cancel a few of the night-time flights, but seems to be back in normal operation.

Hot avalanche observed
At 03:37 local time, a pyroclastic flow was observed on its surveillance cameras, INGV Catania reported. It was also confirmed by personnel present on site.

Why was the lava flow comparably short?
Why there is less lava that went into the flow although lava fountaining lasted longer is not easy to say. It could be that either total volume of lava erupted was indeed lower despite the longer fountaining phase. This seems to be the most likely cause, also considering that from available imagery, it seems that the lava fountains although still impressive with approx. 3-500 m height, did not reach the same heights of 1000 m or even more sometimes observed during previous paroxysms. The same seems to be true for the eruption column.
In other words, while it lasted longer, the output rate was lower, so that the total volume was similar or even less. The other, but less likely explanation for less volumnious lava flows this time could be that most of the lava erupted did not go into the flow, but was fragmented into ejecta that landed around the cone or went up into the eruption column. This would imply a higher gas content of the erupted magma, which in turn actually should have caused a higher eruption column (and higher fountains), so we probably can discard this as the cause, but without data from analysis of the lava it can only remain a speculation.

Image credit lava fountain: Giorgio Costa (facebook)
Update Tue 23 Mar 2021 20:53
The volcano observatory issued a RED aviation alert for volcanic ash drifting SSW.

Lava fountaining starts

Update Tue 23 Mar 2021 20:47
Activity at the New SE crater (image: INGV webcam on Montagnola)
Activity at the New SE crater (image: INGV webcam on Montagnola)
Corresponding view through the thermal webcam of INGV at the same site
Corresponding view through the thermal webcam of INGV at the same site
Activity has been increasing very quickly. It seems that the New SE crater already started to produce lava fountains.
Update Tue 23 Mar 2021 20:38
Activity continues to increase - it is now almost certain we're watching the start of the 16th paroxysm.

Increasing activity - volcano heading towards paroxysm nr 16?

Update Tue 23 Mar 2021 19:45
Strombolian activity at Etna's New SE crater this evening (image: LAVE webcam)
Strombolian activity at Etna's New SE crater this evening (image: LAVE webcam)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
A 16th lava fountaining episode was almost expected last Sunday (21 Mar), if the volcano had followed the 2-2.5 day rhythm shown during nearly all previous events in the current series. Instead, activity had been rather calm - until now:
Starting from around 8pm this evening local time, the New SE crater started again to produce significant strombolian activity and volcanic tremor amplitude is currently rising.
These are the typical first signs of a new paroxysm that could be in the making in the next hours. Watch Etna live to see how this activity evolves!
New SE crater erupts spectacular lava fountains for the 15th time in a row
Update Fri 19 Mar 2021 13:04
Lava fountain during the peak of this morning's paroxysm at Etna's New SE crater (image: INGV webcam on Montagnola)
Lava fountain during the peak of this morning's paroxysm at Etna's New SE crater (image: INGV webcam on Montagnola)
Corresponding view through the thermal webcam of INGV at the same site
Corresponding view through the thermal webcam of INGV at the same site
The 15th paroxysm from the New SE crater occurred this morning during approx. 9:30 - 11:30 local time. It followed mostly the pattern observed during the previous events since Feb.
Due to bad visibility, the event was not be very well observed visually, but the height of the lava fountains seems to have reached at least 500 m.
Strong westerly winds bent the eruption column and plume to the ENE. In areas such as Vena, it deposited a layer of centimeter-sized black lapilli, and coarse ash fall was reported from Milo and Piedimonte.
15th paroxysm at the New SE crater just started
Update Fri 19 Mar 2021 08:18
Strong activity at Etna's New SE crater during the night (image: LAVE webcam from Schiena dell'Asino)
Strong activity at Etna's New SE crater during the night (image: LAVE webcam from Schiena dell'Asino)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
As expected, the 15th paroxysm of the New SE crater in a row since February has begun. Although weather conditions are bad, occasional webcam images show strong explosions if not already lava fountaining from the crater.
Tremor is steeply rising towards the high levels typical for the lava fountaining episodes. Almost certainly a lava flow is descending towards Valle del Bove.
Volcano likely preparing for another paroxysm
Update Fri 19 Mar 2021 07:23
Etna's New SE crater this morning (image: LAVE webcam)
Etna's New SE crater this morning (image: LAVE webcam)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
A bit more than 2 days since the last lava fountaining episode (known as paroxysm) at the New SE crater, it seems at least likely that the volcano is now heading towards another such eruption in the next hours or so.
The previous 14 events had been at very regular intervals of around 2-2.5 days between each: in other words, if Etna continues this rhythm, which has been more or less stable for more than a month now, it would be now about "time" for number 15 of this exceptional series.
Another strong indicator is the volcanic tremor amplitude, a measure of magma moving inside the conduits, which now has started to increase significantly. Visually, it is still difficult to judge from webcam imagery whether it has also started to increase or not.
During the interval since the eruption two days ago, there has been mild, sporadic glow from the summit vent, probably caused by small strombolian explosions, as well as glow from sliding hot lava rocks of the recent lava flows and scoria fallout deposit on the flanks of the cone.
14th lava fountaining eruption from New SE crater in progress this morning
Update Wed 17 Mar 2021 03:34
Beginning of lava fountain from the New SE crater (image: INGV Catania)
Beginning of lava fountain from the New SE crater (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Almost exactly 48 hours since the last lava fountaining episode (paroxysm), another one is occurring now at the volcano's New SE crater. This marks the 14th paroxysm in a row with almost identical intervals between since the start of the series in mid February.
The event followed very much the pattern observed during the previous episodes: Starting from 01:55 am local time, the intermittent, mild strombolian activity from the New SE crater began to increase, along with rising volcanic tremor.
The tremor is rapidly reached high values and its source shifted to a location southeast of the crater at a depth of 4-500 m, clear sign that a new gas-rich batch of magma had started its rise towards the conduit.
At around 3:15, the activity had reached the stage of lava fountaining from the crater and a lava flow started to descend from the eastern eruptive fissure towards the Valle del Bove.
Comparably bad weather conditions have prevented more detailed observations.
Strombolian activity from the other summit vents continues the whole time
Update Mon 15 Mar 2021 05:15
Despite the intense fluctuation of activity at the New SE crater, the volcano observatory reported that mild strombolian activity has been continuing from the other summit vents (Voragine, Bocca Nuova, and NE crater), seemingly not influenced by the paroxysms of the New SE crater.
Nightly fireworks during 13th lava fountaining episode
Update Mon 15 Mar 2021 05:11
Etna's lava fountain during the 13th paroxysm this morning (image: Massimo Lo Giudice / facebook)
Etna's lava fountain during the 13th paroxysm this morning (image: Massimo Lo Giudice / facebook)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
After a slightly longer interval than previously, a bit less than 3 days since the eruption on 12 March, Etna continued its impressive series of lava fountaining episodes known as paroxysms early this morning.
Already last night, from around 7 pm, first signs of reactivation of the New SE crater began to be visible in form of intermittent mild strombolian explosions.
Starting from around 1 am early this morning local time, this activity and volcanic tremor, sign of magma rising inside the conduits, started to increase significantly as typical for the beginning of Etna's paroxysms.
At around the same time, a lava flow started to issue from the eastern summit vent of the New SE crater and descend towards the Valle del Bove.
Strombolian activity increased rapidly to continuous lava fountains with several hundred meters height. As during the previous paroxysms, the lava flow quickly increased and expanded to a few km length reaching the Valle del Bove at elevations below 2000 m.
Activity reached a peak around 3 am, then abruptly decreased from 3:40 am.
This marks the 13th paroxysm of Etna since the start of the current series, which had started on 16 February. Since then, the volcano has been producing paroxysms almost with clockwork precision almost every 2-3 days, with only one exceptions of a significantly longer interval (the 4.5 days interval between 24 and 28 Feb episodes #6 and #7).
Image credit: Massimo Lo Giudice (facebook)
Powerful lava fountains generate massive ash plume over Sicily
Update Fri 12 Mar 2021 15:32
Eruption column and plume from Etna's paroxysm today reaching approx. 10 km altitude (image: Fernando Famiani / EtNativeo / facebook)
Eruption column and plume from Etna's paroxysm today reaching approx. 10 km altitude (image: Fernando Famiani / EtNativeo / facebook)
Thermal view of the lava fountain from Montagnola (image: INGV webcam)
Thermal view of the lava fountain from Montagnola (image: INGV webcam)
Volcanic tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Volcanic tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
The 12th paroxysm from Etna's New SE crater in less than a month occurred during the morning today, as had been expected since the early hours when activity started to pick up. It was particularly powerful and rather long-lasting, marking the 12th such event in a row.

After a rather slow start, lava fountaining began around 8am local time, and increased until reaching a peak phase during 9:30-10:40 am. During the peak of the eruption, the ash and steam column rose up to approx. 10 km altitude and drifted east, causing heavy lapilli and ash fall in places on the eastern sector of the volcano including Milo, Giarre and others.

The volcano observatory in Catania (INGV) gives a detailed summary of the event in this post on their blog, translated as follows:

"In the early hours of 12 March 2021, Etna, almost as precise as a clock, registered the start of new Strombolian activity at the New Southeast Crater (NSEC) of modest intensity, while at the same time the intracrateric explosive activity continued at the Voragine, Bocca Nuova and the North East Crater vents. Almost immediately, the average amplitude of the volcanic tremor showed a marked increase reaching high values, while the sources of the tremor moved below the New SE crater to a depth of about 2.5 km. It was clear that this was the prelude to a new paroxysmal episode, the twelfth in just under a month.
"From 6:30 am (local time), strombolian activity at the NSEC increased in intensity and frequency, producing a first significant eruption plume. A further increase in Strombolian activity began at 7:54 am, accompanied by a lava overflow from the eastern area of ​​the NSEC, which expanded towards the Valle del Bove.
"At 8:41 am, the Strombolian activity merged to a lava fountains, and caused the eruption column to grow to approx. 3 km height, reaching 6000 m of altitude and drifting by the westerly winds towards the east. The lava flow continued to expand towards the Valle del Bove, reaching an altitude of about 2800 m asl.
"At 9:39, the eruptive cloud produced by the ongoing activity reached an altitude of about 8500 meters, dispersing to the east. The ash fallout affected the towns of Fornazzo and Giarre and subsequently also those of Milo, Santa Venerina and Torre Archirafi. The front of the lava flow that expanded in Valle del Bove reached an altitude of about 2000 m asl.
"The lava fountain activity ceased at 10:50 am; weak Strombolian activity and ash emissions at the Southeast crater continued for some time. At 11:15 the activity was essentially over. The main lava flow continued to be moderately fed, with a lava front down to about 1700 m asl. A second lava flow was also observed which spread south-east on the western side of the Valle del Bove up to an altitude of about 3000 m asl and also appears to be no longer fed and cooling.
"The average amplitude of the volcanic tremor decreased rapidly, remaining at a medium-low level. The analysis of soil deformations, in particular of the clinometric data which are the most sensitive, showed, also in this case, small variations in different stations, with maximum values ​​(in any case less than 3 microradians) recorded by the Cratere del Piano station (ECP). The data of the GNSS network, on the other hand, does not show significant variations.

"The twelfth paroxysm of the sequence that began in February 2021 occurred approximately 54 hours after the previous one.

Time-lapse of the eruption:


Image credit: Fernando Famiani / EtNativeo / facebook
Paroxysm with lava fountains starting now
Update Fri 12 Mar 2021 07:13
Lava foutain from Etna's New SE crater on the thermal webcam (INGV Catania)
Lava foutain from Etna's New SE crater on the thermal webcam (INGV Catania)
It took a while to build up, as volcano tremor and explosive activity stagnated for about two hours, but it has picked up now and lava fountains have started to shoot into Sicily's blue morning sky.
Next lava fountaining episode likely underway
Update Fri 12 Mar 2021 04:25
Strombolian activity at the New SE crater this morning (image: INGV webcam on Montagnola)
Strombolian activity at the New SE crater this morning (image: INGV webcam on Montagnola)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Truly amazing, the volcano continues to behave almost exactly like clockwork. After the typical time span of 2.5 days between paroxysms (lava fountaining episodes) has now passed, Etna seems to be heading towards a new paroxysm right now:
At the New SE crater, strong strombolian explosions and likely effusion of a lava flow have started again. Volcanic tremor is sharply rising and already passed the threshold of high levels. Both are the tell-tale signs of the impending onset of another violent lava fountain to occur soon.
If true, it will mark the 12th paroxysm in a row of the current series since 16 Feb 2021.
SO2 plumes from Etna travel as far as China
Update Thu 11 Mar 2021 07:58
Satellite-based measurements of SO2 concentrations in the atmosphere show the impressive SO2 plumes ejected by Etna during its recent paroxysms traveling as far as China (see link on Twitter):
11th lava fountaining eruption in a row
Update Wed 10 Mar 2021 07:36
The lava flow from Etna's most recent paroxysm during the night 9-10 Mar 2021 (image: Alessandro Lo Piccolo / facebook)
The lava flow from Etna's most recent paroxysm during the night 9-10 Mar 2021 (image: Alessandro Lo Piccolo / facebook)
Current tremor signal showing the peaks corresponding to the latest paroxysms (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal showing the peaks corresponding to the latest paroxysms (image: INGV Catania)
As had been anticipated last evening when volcanic tremor and visible activity began to increase significantly, the New SE crater produced yet another paroxysm over night (episode of vigorous lava fountaining).
Starting from 22:30 local time, the until-then intermittent strombolian explosions from the crater merged into lava fountains, whose height could not be well determined due to bad weather conditions. As during the previous episodes, a voluminous lava flow was issued and descended towards the east into the Valle del Bove, where its front reached an elevation of about 1800 m above sea level.
The peak of activity was reached during 3-4 am in the early morning hours, and abruptly dropped and ended at 4:30 am.
This marks the 11th paroxysm in a row since mid February, with very regular intervals between each of about 2.5 days average. Things on Europe's most active volcano remain highly interesting: nobody knows how many paroxysms will still follow in the current series, and what comes after them.
In any case, we're witnessing a particularly intense phase of activity at the volcano, reminding many of us of the year 2000, when Etna's then much smaller SE crater produced a similarly spectacular series of paroxysms totaling 66 events during Jan-June 2000. This activity was followed eventually by the two lateral eruptions in July 2001 and Oct 2002.
Etna likely heading for another lava fountaining eruptive episode!
Update Tue 09 Mar 2021 18:09
Strombolian activity at the New SE crater this evening (image: LAVE webcam on Schiena dell'Asino)
Strombolian activity at the New SE crater this evening (image: LAVE webcam on Schiena dell'Asino)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
2.5 days since the last paroxysm from the New SE crater, signs are increasingly pointing towards a new lava fountaining episode in the next hours (or even earlier):
Accompanied by rising tremor, intense strombolian activity has started at the New SE crater. As well, it would be more or less the same average interval Etna since the last episode as between the 10 previous ones. It would mean that the amazingly regular cyclic behavior continues!
The next hours will tell. Be sure to look at the various Etna webcams!
Update Sun 07 Mar 2021 06:58
According to INGV, the eruption column has reached more than 10,000 m (30,000 ft) elevation above sea level and is drifting east.
Heavy ash fall in Giarre
Update Sun 07 Mar 2021 06:55
Sinister ambiance in Giarre under the current ash fall due to Etna's paroxym
Sinister ambiance in Giarre under the current ash fall due to Etna's paroxym
Lapilli of up to 3 cm fell in Giarre
Lapilli of up to 3 cm fell in Giarre
This is the view from Giarre town, located under the eruption plume about 20 km east of the craters. Heavy fall of black lapilli and ash from the ongoing paroxysm is visible.
News articles such as this one describe that the fallout from the paroxysm was indeed heavy in Giarre town and nearby locations such as Riposto and Mascali, showing impressive images of streets and other surfaces completely covered by a black ash and lapilli deposit, causing a near total stop of traffic.
Tall lava fountains rise from New SE crater
Update Sun 07 Mar 2021 06:35
Tall lava fountains from the New SE crater (image: INGV webcam)
Tall lava fountains from the New SE crater (image: INGV webcam)
Thermal view of the lava fountain (image: INGV wecam)
Thermal view of the lava fountain (image: INGV wecam)
The 10th paroxysm of Etna's New SE crater is well underway: Impressive lava fountains have begun to shoot into the sky from the New SE crater a short time ago, while a tall dark eruption column of volcanic fragments and gas rises several kilometers.
Westerly winds are pushing the eruption cloud eastwards, strong ash and lapilli fall is likely occurring in the villages and towns of Etna's eastern flank including Zafferana, Milo, Giarre...
Aviation Color Code has been raised to "RED".
10th paroxysm from New SE crater likely underway
Update Sun 07 Mar 2021 05:16
Intense strombolian activity at Etna's New SE crater (image: INGV webcam on Montagnola)
Intense strombolian activity at Etna's New SE crater (image: INGV webcam on Montagnola)
Corresponding view through the thermal webcam of INGV at the same site
Corresponding view through the thermal webcam of INGV at the same site
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
After 3 days of relative calm since the last lava fountaining episode known as paroxysm at the volcano's New SE crater, a new one seems to be underway now at the crater:
Accompanied by the typical steep rise of volcanic tremor, indicating magma moving upwards through the volcanic conduits, strombolian activity has been picking up at the summit vent of the New SE crater during the past hours, and now seems to be heading towards lava fountaining. Also, another typical sign for the impending paroxysm, a lava flow is issuing from the eruptive fissure cutting through the cone and flowing towards the eastern base of it. This is likely the mostly degassed older lava from the previous paroxysm left in the upper part of the conduit being pushed out by the rising fresher, and gas-rich magma about to erupt.
This marks the 10th paroxysm in a row in a remarkable series since 16 February. Intervals between individual eruptions have been very regular, ranging between 36 hours to 3.5 days only, and there are no signs that it this series is ending soon.
9th paroxysm with tall ash plume after less than 2 days
Update Thu 04 Mar 2021 15:10
This morning's eruption column and ash plume from Etna's eruption, seen from the east near Giarre
This morning's eruption column and ash plume from Etna's eruption, seen from the east near Giarre
Strombolian activity at the New SE crater during the first phase early morning
Strombolian activity at the New SE crater during the first phase early morning
After the first surge of activity had ceased, the lava flow was still incandescent at dawn
After the first surge of activity had ceased, the lava flow was still incandescent at dawn
Current tremor signal showing the double peak corresponding to the two phases of the eruption (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal showing the double peak corresponding to the two phases of the eruption (image: INGV Catania)
Less than 2 days after the previous lava fountaining episode (known as paroxysm), the 9th paroxysm took place from Etna's New SE crater this morning.
At first, it looked as if the volcano was going to produce the eruption already in the early morning hours: around 2 am local time, mild to moderate strombolian activity started at the New SE crater and soon became near-continuous. A lava flow started to flow from the eastern end of the deep fissure cutting through the cone, and slowly traveled eastwards. At the same time, volcanic tremor started to rise.
However, this activity slowed down again after around 3:30 am and ceased at around dawn, but only to restart about an hour later. From around 8 am, it again increased and this time developed into sustained tall lava fountains between around 9:30-10:30 local time. A tall ash plume rose approx. 4-5 km above the crater and spread into an umbrella cloud that drifted east and caused heavy ash fall in some eastern sectors and as far as Messina town.
New SE crater calms down, while central crater shows impressive fireworks
Update Wed 03 Mar 2021 15:36
Residual lava effusion at New SE crater (l) and vigorous strombolian burst from Voragine (c) last night
Residual lava effusion at New SE crater (l) and vigorous strombolian burst from Voragine (c) last night
Closer view of the New SE crater with the cooling main lava flow from the previous paroxysm to the lower left and a small still active flow from the eastern end of its eruptive fissure
Closer view of the New SE crater with the cooling main lava flow from the previous paroxysm to the lower left and a small still active flow from the eastern end of its eruptive fissure
After yesterday's particularly long-lasting fire fountaining eruption from the New SE crater, activity had dropped back to similar levels as before.
Weak lava effusion, as well as secondary lava flows from sliding hot material on the steep slopes of the crater continued from the eruptive fissure of the New SE crater during the rest of the day and part of the night, but gradually died down.
Seemingly unaffected by the activity of its younger neighbor, the central summit crater Voragine has continued to show sometimes strong strombolian explosions at intervals ranging from 5-10 minutes. Judging from our visual impression over the past few days, this activity appeared to have increased since yesterday.
Whether or not Etna is heading to another paroxysm in the near future remains open to speculation, but based on the currently still quite regular rhythm of so far 8 episodes in just two weeks, it seems rather likely that another one could be expected to occur in the next 1,2 days.
New lava fountain episode showers villages with ash
Update Tue 02 Mar 2021 18:27
Lava fountain during Etna's paroxysm this afternoon (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
Lava fountain during Etna's paroxysm this afternoon (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
Eruption column above the New SE crater (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
Eruption column above the New SE crater (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
The ash plume bending towards the southern slopes during a short window of visibility (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
The ash plume bending towards the southern slopes during a short window of visibility (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
Golden sunlight filtered by volcanic ash and gasses with the eruption plume (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
Golden sunlight filtered by volcanic ash and gasses with the eruption plume (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
Tremor signal showing the latest eruption (image: INGV Catania)
Tremor signal showing the latest eruption (image: INGV Catania)
After little more than 2 days since Sunday's paroxysm, the 8th such episode of vigorous lava fountaining from the volcano's New SE crater occurred this afternoon. It was remarkable for its long duration.
Around noon, first signs of reactivation of the New SE crater could be noticed in the form of small, intermittent strombolian-type explosions. Starting from 13:24 local time, volcanic tremor began to rise sharply, the typical sign for the impending onset of a new paroxysm (lava fountaining episode).
The strombolian activity at the New SE crater quickly increased to become sustained lava fountains, which lasted for almost 2 and a half hours! Activity reached its climax around 15:00-15:30 and quickly decreased from 15:40 and ceased at 15:50. Unfortunately, most of the time, the summit region of Etna was hidden in clouds, but a brief window towards the end of the eruption allowed Tom and Marco to witness this extraordinary event from close.
As during the previous episodes, voluminous lava flows were erupted to the east into Valle del Bove and likely also to the south towards the Torre del Filosofo area.
A tall ash column rose to an unknown height, but of at least several kilometers. It was pushed and bent by northerly winds towards the south, where its fallout caused heavy ash fall on the southern slopes of Etna, in particular in Nicolosi village, San Gregorio, Trecastagni, Aci S. Antonio, Pedara as well as in the City of Catania.
The Fontanarossa airport of Catania was temporarily closed down due to the volcanic ash fall.
Volcano remains quiet for now
Update Tue 02 Mar 2021 09:48
Etna's summit region seen from the east this morning. New SE crater to the left, and a small ash plume emitted from the Voragine (center) is visible.
Etna's summit region seen from the east this morning. New SE crater to the left, and a small ash plume emitted from the Voragine (center) is visible.
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
For now, the volcano has remained mostly calm 48 hours since the latest lava fountaining episode.
Intermittent strombolian explosions with mild ash emissions continue from the Voragine crater, while the New SE crater is emitting steam and dilute ash plumes. At night, a glowing spot at the eastern end of the eruptive fissure could be seen, but no explosions.
Volcanic tremor levels are at low levels, something that can change quickly.
Bush fire in Valle del Bove raising speculations of new vent
Update Mon 01 Mar 2021 11:05
Residual activity at the New SE crater and bright glow from a vast bush fire near Monte Rinato last evening
Residual activity at the New SE crater and bright glow from a vast bush fire near Monte Rinato last evening
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Current tremor signal (image: INGV Catania)
Weak activity continues last night at the New SE crater, with weak lava flow emission from the eastern end of the main eruptive fissure, but gradually ceased during the night.
Volcanic tremor has again decreased to low levels.
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. 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. As of this morning, the fire seems to have exhausted itself as no more fumes could be seen, while bright glow was visible last night (see picture).
During the whole time over the past days, intermittent strombolian explosions producing ash plumes rising a few 100 meters have been continuing from the main vent in the central Voragine summit crater. Presumably, mild strombolian activity also continues in Bocca Nuova, while the North-East crater produces dense gas and steam clouds only, but no visible incandescence.
Short but violent paroxysm number 7 blankets part of Sicily with black ash
Update Mon 01 Mar 2021 09:13
The ash plume of Etna's 8th paroxysm in late Feb 2021 (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
The ash plume of Etna's 8th paroxysm in late Feb 2021 (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
VIew of the lava fountain mostly hidden inside the ash and steam column (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
VIew of the lava fountain mostly hidden inside the ash and steam column (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
Square in Fornazzo village covered with black lapilli (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
Square in Fornazzo village covered with black lapilli (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
Ash-covered street and ads from local magicians ready to help (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
Ash-covered street and ads from local magicians ready to help (image: Tom Pfeiffer / VolcanoDiscovery)
The latest lava fountaining episode, or paroxysm, occurred in the morning of Sunday 28 Feb 2021, after a longer interval than the previous six ones. After roughly three and a half day, the awaited number 7 episode of the current series of paroxysms occurred Sunday morning around 9 am local time.
Different from the previous ones, the activity increased from very low levels to strong lava fountains in an extremely very short time. First signs of reactivation of the New SE crater showed themselves around 8:40 am, with the appearance of strombolian bursts and a lava flow from the eastern summit vent.
This activity increased to lava fountaining within approx 30 minutes and had already reached the peak phase at around 9:20 am.
At that time, a tall eruption column rose several kilometers above the volcano's summit and spread into a large umbrella cloud similar to the preceding eruptions.
The lava fountaining phase abruptly ended after 9:40 am and was followed by a series of stronger explosions at the cone before activity dropped almost completely.
The ash cloud drifted east-southeastwards from the volcano and produced heavy ash fall in this sector of the volcano. Particularly affected villages included Zafferana, Milo and Fornazzo, where 1-2 cm black lapilli-sized ash, with fragments up to 1-2 cm quickly covered all surfaces. Members of the VolcanoDiscovery Team observed the eruption from approx. 10 km 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 in diameter were falling like hail during a storm, causing us to seek shelter under a roof.
Video of the ash plume: