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Mt Etna on Sicily, locally called "Mongibello", is Europe's largest and most active volcano. Its frequent eruptions are often accompanied by large lava flows, but rarely pose danger to inhabited areas. Etna is one of the volcanoes with the longest historic records of eruptions, going back more than 2000 years. Complex stratovolcano Currently about 3329 m (changing due to eruptive activity and collapse of its crater rims) Sicily, Italy, 37.75°N / 14.99°E Current status: minor activity or eruption warning (3 out of 5) Etna webcams / live dataEtna volcano videosEtna volcano books | ToursEtna volcano eruptions:Near continuously active; some major historic eruptions include 122 BC (large Plinian outbursts that created the small caldera of the "Cratere del Piano"), 1669 AD (devastating flank eruption that destroyed 15 villages and part of Catania), 1787 (Subplinian eruption and one of the most spectacular summit eruptions on record - lava fountains reportedly up to 3000 m high). Eruptions since 1950 (f: flank / s: summit activity): 1950 (s), 1950-51(f), 1955 (s), 1956 (s), 1956 (f), 1957 (s),1960 (s), 1961 (s), 1964 (f), 1964 (s), 1966 (s), 1966-1971(s), 1968 (f), 1971(f), 1972-1973 (s), 1974 (f), 1974-1975 (s), 1975-1977 (f), 1977-1978 (s), 1978 (f), 1979(s), 1979 (f), 1980 (s), 1981 (s), 1981 (f),1982-1983 (s), 1983(f), 1984(s), 1985(s), 1985(f), 1986(s), 1986-1987 (f), 1987(s), 1988(s), 1989(s), 1989(f), 1990 (s), 1991-93(f), 1995(s), 1996(s), 1997 (s), 1998 (s), 1999 (s), 2000 (s), 2001(s), 2001 (f), 2002(s), 2002-03(f), 2004-2005 (f), 2006 (s), 2007 (s), 2008-2009 (f), 2010(s), 2011-2013(s), 2014-ongoing(f)
Typical eruption style:Effusive (lava flows) and mildly explosive (strombolian) eruptions. Both summit and frequent flank eruptions, the latter seem to be occurring in clusters lasting few to a few tens of years. Last earthquakes nearbyLatest satellite images  more on Etna volcano...  Etna volcano updates and eruption news:
Mon, 29 Aug 2016, 09:04  Steam/ash plume from Etna's Voragine this morning Over the past weeks, the volcano's activity (at Voragine and the New SE crater) has generally decreased and tremor levels are currently low. ...moreWhile not entirely stopped, the emissions of hot incandescent gasses and ash, along with weak strombolian activity from the new vent in the Voragine crater have become less pronounced. Similarly, the sporadic ash emissions from the New SE, observed intermittently until at least Saturday, have ceased or become even rarer. This could rapidly change, however.  Ash emission from the New SE crater on Friday [ less] [ read all] Thu, 11 Aug 2016, 09:28  Etna's new pit crater in Voragine (image taken by B. Behncke from western rim of Voragine on 10 Aug 2016 at sunset) INGV Catania volcanologist Boris Behncke visited the summit region of Etna yesterday and observed a new active pit crater, about 20-30 m wide, located in the eastern inner wall of the Voragine crater. ...moreThe new vent formed on 7 Aug 2016 and has been the site of the recent weak strombolian activity (which likely continues, but bad weather is currently hiding the view). [ less] Tue, 9 Aug 2016, 13:23
 Aerial view of Etna's summit crater with steaming Voragine crater (center) seen from the N (image: Sandro Dimola) Weak strombolian activity continues inside the Voragina summit crater, which produces a tall steam column currently drifting into southerly directions when we observed it this morning during a helicopter overflight as part of a tour on Etna. ...moreTremor remains currently at low levels (but this can change quickly). [ less] Sun, 7 Aug 2016, 21:26 
Strombolian activity at the Voragine Crater (Osservatorio Meteorologico Nunziata webcam) Weak strombolian activity has started from the Voragine crater and it is currently visible from the webcams. ...moreSeismic tremor doesn't show significant changes. [ less] Fri, 5 Aug 2016, 07:10  Ash plume from Etna's SE crater yesterday evening (RadioStudio7 webcam) Since Wednesday (3 Aug) evening, the New SE crater has been producing intermittent small ash emissions. This activity has become more intense yesterday and seems to have decreased again today. ...moreWeaker and rarer emissions had also occurred during 21-27 July and then again ceased. Thermal imagery shows that the ash is of low temperature only, which probably means that the origin are internal collapses rather than explosions of fresh magma inside the conduit. Volcanic tremor is currently low. 
Current tremor signal (EMFS station / INGV Catania) [ less] Thu, 21 Jul 2016, 07:20  Etna's summit area as seen on 27 May 2016 (image: INGV Catania) The volcano remains calm at the surface but is restless. Its internal seismic activity continues to be higher than normal and SO2 gas emissions have increased a bit recently (to approx. 7,000 tons/day), which could indicate the influx of fresh magma. ...moreAdditionally, occasional small ash puffs, along with pulsating gas emissions, have been observed at the New SE crater since 10 July. These are likely signs of deep-seated explosive activity (degassing from the magma column inside the conduit). Volcanic tremor remains currently stable with no clear trend, but this can change quickly. [ less] [ read all] Tue, 28 Jun 2016, 10:50  Etna's trmor amplitude (ESLN station, INGV Catania) There has been no particular surface activity at the volcano since the violent summit eruptions in late May, but the volcanic tremor amplitude has been gradually rising over the past days. ...moreThis could [speculation!] indicate a phase of magma migrating to the surface, and possibly herald new activity in the near future. Etna, always good for surprises, will tell. [ less] Mon, 6 Jun 2016, 14:20
 Panorama over Etna's ummit craters (l: Bocca Nuova, c: Voragine; r: NE crater) taken on 3 June from the southern rim of Voragine (image: B. Behncke) Etna has remained calm at the surface since the most recent eruptive phase (violent strombolian activity from the NE and Voragine summit craters) ended on 26 May. ...moreThe attached picture, taken on 3 June by volcanologist Boris Behncke (INGV Catania), shows significant changes of the summit region in the past weeks, in particular the near-complete filling of the Bocca Nuova and Voragine craters with lava and the partial collapses on the older NE crater. [ less] Fri, 27 May 2016, 07:45
 Strombolian activity from Etna's Voragine on Wednesday The violent strombolian activity from the Voragine summit crater continued all though Wednesday (25 May) and the following night, but gradually decreased and ceased yesterday. At the moment, no significant eruptive activity is going on. ...moreTo see images and videos of this recent activity, you could visit the facebook page of the mountain guides from Etna Nord. At the moment, tremor is still elevated and seems to be increasing slowly again - maybe some new pulse of activity is in the making?  Current tremor signal (ESLN station / INGV Catania) [ less] [ read all] Tue, 24 May 2016, 19:57 
Lava fountaining from Etna's Voragine The 4th episode of lava fountaining has started at the Voragine summit crater. ...moreTremor and the sporadic (but sometimes relatively strong) strombolian explosions at the Voragine, which had started last evening, decreased in the morning. Shortly after, it began to increase again gradually, and this increase has strongly accelerated during the past 1-2 hours: activity moved from discrete explosions to continuous fountaining (and is at the moment still increasing).  Seismic trace of ESVO station (INGV Catania)  Current tremor signal (ESLN station / INGV Catania) [ less] [ read all] Show more newsMon, 23 May 2016, 21:31
 Strombolian activity at the Voragine Crater (Osservatorio Meteorologico Nunziata webcam) Starting from 21:00 this evening weak Strombolian activity has again started from the Voragine crater together with some ash emission. ...moreThe tremor however is still low, but the webcams show that activity is increasing. [ less] Mon, 23 May 2016, 09:33  Ash emission from New SE crater this morning
Contrary to what it might have looked like, the volcano's activity from last night did not continue to increase, but quieted down for now. ...moreStrombolian activity from the Northeast crater seems to have ceased during the second half of the night or early this morning. However, the volcano remains very restless: sporadic ash emissions occurred from the New SE crater and tremor remains slightly elevated, but shows no clear trend right now. 
Strombolian explosion at NE crater earlier in the night
 Current tremor signal (ESLN station / INGV Catania) [ less] Sun, 22 May 2016, 22:29 
Strombolian activity at the NE crater this evening
Yet another paroxysm could be under way from the summit craters: after a calm day, strong strombolian eruptions have started a few hours ago from the NE crater. Along with the volcanic tremor signal which is rising again, the activity has been gradually increasing. ...moreThis might be the beginning of another paroxysm (if strombolian activity from the NE vent is a precursor of more violent activity of the Voragine or even the NE crater - the near future will tell...) You can follow the activity live at various webcams.  Current tremor signal (ESLN station / INGV Catania) [ less] [ read all] Sat, 21 May 2016, 08:48  Etna's paroxysm this morning (image: Turi Caggegi / youtube) The 3rd paroxysm (violent summit eruption with lava fountains) of Etna's Voragine occurred over night and ended at dawn. It was significantly less strong than the previous ones, but produced spectacular strombolian explosions and pulsating lava fountains from the summit crater. ...moreThe gradual increase of strombolian activity that had set in in the evening culminated in a short phase of lava fountaining which peaked between 4 and 5 am. Only a small ash plume was generated during the eruption. It drifted east and southeast from the volcano, causing light ash fall in villages and towns such as Pedara, Viagrande, Giarre. Bad weather prevented detailed observations, but it seems that also a lava flow was effused from the summit vent and traveled onto the upper western flank (s. image taken by Boris Behncke. A more detailed update will likely posted in the course of the day. 
Current tremor signal (ESLN station / INGV Catania)  Etna seen from the SE (image: Boris Behncke / facebook) [ less] [ read all] Sat, 21 May 2016, 01:10  Intense glow from Etna's Voragine where lava fountaining seems to have started Activity at the Voragine has been steadily increasing during the evening and night so far - strombolian activity is probably now turning into lava fountaining: the 3rd paroxysm of the summit crater within less than 3 days - is about to occur. 
Current tremor signal (ESLN station / INGV Catania) Fri, 20 May 2016, 19:15  Strombolian activity at Etna's Voragine tonight After a relatively calm day, Etna seems perhaps about to start another eruptive episode from the Voragine summit crater where strombolian activity has set in a short while ago. Tremor is currently elevated, but with no clear trend so far. ...moreWhile the lava effusion from the eastern vent at the foot of the NE crater had already stopped yesterday, the lava flow from the summit vent itself, that has been active on Etna's western flank, had remained active during the day.  Current tremor signal (ESLN station / INGV Catania) 
Thermal image (view from Bronte) of the summit lava flow on the western flank (INGV) [ less] Thu, 19 May 2016, 21:22  Glow still visible from the new lava flow on the eastern upper flank of Etna The second paroxysm from the Voragine summit crater ended gradually during the course of today. Bad weather prevented detailed observations for most of the time. ...moreAt the moment, the lava flow from the new vent at the eastern base of the North-East crater is still visible, but effusion has either stopped or strongly decreased. 
Current tremor signal (ESLN station / INGV Catania) [ less] [ read all] Thu, 19 May 2016, 07:22  Etna's lava flow from the summit craters descending to the NW (view from Monte Ruvolo / image: Emanuela / VolcanoDiscovery Italia) A second paroxysm occurred at the Voragine summit crater this morning short time ago, i.e. less than 24 hours after yesterday's eruption. The activity is currently still going on but waning. The lava flow on the east side, from the base of the New SE crater, continues to be active, in the meanwhile. ...moreThis time, visibility has been even worse and the event could only be inferred from the seismic signal and the ash plume (and ash falls) drifting towards the east (image).  Ash plume from the second paroxysm drifting towards Giarre 
Current tremor signal (ESLN station / INGV Catania) [ less] [ read all] Wed, 18 May 2016, 22:28  Lava flow from Etna's New SE crater this evening (Osservatorio Meteorologico Nunziata webcam)
The first eruption of Etna in 2016 has been rapidly changing, involving 3 of the 4 summit craters. After yesterday and partly today's strombolian activity from the North-East (and probably New SE) crater, a short, but violent phase of lava fountaining (paroxysm) occurred at the main summit vent, the Voragine. After this, the eruption has become dominantly effusive and is now producing a lava flow from a fissure vent on the lower eastern flank of the New SE crater. The lava flow, with one main channel and few secondary branches, is currently traveling into the Valle del Bove. ...moreThe sequence of events at Etna's eruptions is often complex (for a detailed description, see the reports by INGV). Today's eruption was no exception, with some similarities to the last paroxysm of Voragine on 6 Dec 2015.  The lava flow seen from the NE
Activity at both Voragina (l) and the flank vent of the New SE crater (r)
[ less] [ read all] Wed, 18 May 2016, 05:12  Strombolian activity at the NE Crater (Osservatorio Meteorologico Nunziata webcam) Since yesterday, volcanic tremor has been gradually increasing and during the evening mild explosive strombolian activity started from the North-East crater. ...moreAt the time of updating, this explosive activity associated with ash emissions has started to produce a dense plume  Ash plume this morning (comune Giarre - DPC) 
Rising tremor signal (EMFS station, INGV) [ less] Show more newsSun, 3 Apr 2016, 08:20 
Steam plume mixed with light ash from Etna's NE crater Activity remains low at the volcano. Only weak, intermittent ash emissions with decreasing tendency continue to occur from the NE crater. However, they carry no signs that could indicate fresh lava, and likely consist of older fragmented rock material only. ...moreSurface temperatures and seismic activity are low. [ less] Thu, 31 Mar 2016, 07:50  Ash emissions from Etna's NE crater this morning Intermittent weak to moderate ash emissions (presumably from older pulverized rock) have been occurring from the North-East crater, where also weak incandescence can be seen at night. ...moreApart from this and an incandescent fumarole on the New SE crater, no other significant activity is currently occurring at the volcano. Tremor levels have been low. [ less] Mon, 14 Mar 2016, 17:46  Deformation at Etna in late Dec 2015 (INGV) INGV Catania published the result of very high-resolution satellite-based measurements of ground deformation of Etna during the period between Feb 2015-Feb 2016. ...moreThey show that Etna's dominant trend of deformation has changed from inflation (in blue) to deflation since the latest eruption in early December. [ Link to animated graphic ] [ less] [ read all] Wed, 24 Feb 2016, 10:16
 Eruption of Etna's NE crater yesterday morning (INGV Catania) An unusual eruptive episode occurred yesterday morning from the volcano's NE crater (the least active of the summit vents over the past few decades). Incandescent bombs were ejected above the rim of the crater and an ash plume rose several hundred meters. ...moreWhether this is the beginning of a more significant eruptive phase, after a period of relative calm since the violent paroxysms of Voragine summit crater in early Dec 2015 remains to be seen. INGV published the following report:  Thermal image of the eruption showing incandescent material ejected from NE crater [ less] [ read all] More on VolcanoDiscovery: Etna volcano photos: Etna - Europe's largest and most active volcano is a universe in itself. Browse through our collection spanning almost 20 years of eruptions and more.  Books about Volcanoes: A selection of great books about volcanoes and volcanism, grouped into sections of different reading level interest. |
