Photos and images from the surveillance systems of the Etna Observatory
Photos and images from the surveillance systems of the Etna Observatory
Photos and images from the surveillance systems of the Etna Observatory
Photos and images from the surveillance systems of the Etna Observatory
Photos and images from the surveillance systems of the Etna Observatory
Photos and images from the surveillance systems of the Etna Observatory
Photos and images from the surveillance systems of the Etna Observatory
In the night between 20 and 21 February 2021 the fourth paroxysmal eruptive episode took place at the South-East Crater of Etna.
Just before 18:30 on 20 February, INGV communicated the beginning of a weak activity at the South-East Crater, accompanied by an increase in volcanic tremor.
A few hours later, around 21:30, the Strombolian activity progressively intensified, together with a sudden increase in the tremor, and fluctuating flashes were also observed from the "mouth of the saddle". An hour later, a lava overflow began to spread from the eastern mouth of the South-East Crater towards the Valle del Bove.
Around 23:00 pm the explosive activity evolved into a lava fountain but, unlike the last three episodes, the phenomenon lasted for about an hour and a half, illuminating the sky of Etna red.
In a continuous crescendo of the intensity of the phenomenon, the INGV also communicated the activation of other vents which also produced lava fountains and Strombolian activity, generating lava jets up to 800-1000 m high above the South Crater East. Another lava overflow from the "mouth of the saddle" fed a lava flow directed towards the south-west.
The eruptive column rose at least 10 kilometers above the top of Etna.
The activity of the volcano had a greater intensity and duration than the previous three episodes, ending after 2:00 on 21 February, when no more explosive activity was observed and the lava flows were advancing slowly without any feed.
However, between 04:30 and 05:15 on February 21, about twenty very energetic explosions were recorded from various vents always located on the Southeast Crater, which launched incandescent bombs beyond the base of the cone of the same crater.
After 05:15 no more eruptive activity was observed at the Southeast Crater, contrary to the other summit craters where the explosive activity observed uninterruptedly in the last few days continues.
Etna's activity is constantly monitored by the INGV Etna Observatory in Catania. During the course of the day new inspections were carried out by the staff of the Etna Observatory in the affected area, to take samples of the products emitted during today's paroxysm and analyze them in the laboratory.
INGV promptly disseminates all information on Etna's paroxysms on INGV's social channels. In particular, the INGVVulcani channels of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are continuously updated also with the press releases constantly issued by the INGV Etna Observatory and with significant photos and images of the phenomena.