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Etna volcano
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: erupting (4 out of 5)
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Etna 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), 2014-18, 2018(f), 2019 (s), 2020 (s)
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.

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Etna Volcano Special (volcano expedition to see Mt. Etna volcano' eruption)
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From Stromboli to Etna (9-day walking & study tour to Stromboli, Lipari, Vulcano and Etna with our expert volcanologist)

Etna volcano (Italy): new paroxysm from SE crater

Mon, 21 Dec 2020, 12:24
12:24 PM | BY: T
The eruption column of Etna volcano this morning (image: Andrea Pulvirenti / facebook)
The eruption column of Etna volcano this morning (image: Andrea Pulvirenti / facebook)
Intense strombolian activity from the New SE crater last night (image: INGV webcam)
Intense strombolian activity from the New SE crater last night (image: INGV webcam)
Tremor signal showing the steep peak of activity earlier today (image: INGV)
Tremor signal showing the steep peak of activity earlier today (image: INGV)
Another lava-fountaining episode (paroxysm) occurred this morning at the volcano.
Visibility of the new eruptive phase was very limited due to dense clouds, but some observers could catch glimpses of the lava fountain and ash column that rose several kilometers. It appears that the new paroxysm was shorter but stronger than the previous paroxysm on 13-14 Dec.
A sharp peak in tremor accompanied the event, which seems to have lasted less than two hours, as typical for Etna's paroxysms. Preceding the eruption today, the New SE crater had been showing intense strombolian activity in the past few days, with increasing tendency during the last night.
Given two paroxysms in just over a week and Etna's tendency to produce such events in series at roughly regular intervals during certain phases (such as in 2000 or 2011-13), it could be a beginning of a new series of paroxysms in the coming days, weeks or months.
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Links / Sources:
Previous news
Mon, 21 Dec 2020, 10:00
Etna Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: ERUPTION AT 20201221/0909Z STRONG EXPLOSIVE ACTIVITY OBS VA DTG: 21/0940Z
Tue, 15 Dec 2020, 08:15
Etna Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: ERUPTION AT 20201215/0700Z EXPLOSIVE ACTIVITY HAS INCREASED to 13000 ft (4000 m)
Mon, 14 Dec 2020, 14:15
Etna Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: ERUPTION AT 20201213/2215Z EXPLOSIVE ACTIVITY HAS INCREASED to 15000 ft (4600 m)
Mon, 14 Dec 2020, 07:16
Etna volcano update: Activity decreases
Etna with strombolian activity from New SE crater and the new lava flow early this motning (image: INGV webcam)
During the early morning hours, the intense explosive-effusive activity that had started last night from the New SE summit crater decreased significantly. ... read all
Mon, 14 Dec 2020, 06:00
Etna Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: ERUPTION AT 20201213/2215Z ERUPTION ONGOING OBS VA DTG: 14/0600Z to 13000 ft (4000 m)

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