Mt etna where is it

Mount Etna is thought to have started as a submarine volcano that slowly grew above sea level as it erupted, time and again, gradually increasing its height with solidified lava, according to NASA's Earth Observatory. It's now largely covered with historic lava flows from eruptions that happened up to , years ago.

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Tereza is a London-based science and technology journalist, aspiring fiction writer and amateur gymnast. Etna: A view of snowcapped Mount Etna. Mount Etna is associated with the subduction of the African plate under the Eurasian plate, which also produced Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei, but is part of a different volcanic arc the Calabrian rather than Campanian. A number of theories have been proposed to explain Etna's location and eruptive history, including rifting processes, a hot spot, and intersection of structural breaks in the crust.

Scientists are still debating which best fits their data, and are using a variety of methods to build a better image of the Earth's crust below the volcano. Ruins of a small house partially buried by volcanic debris from Mount Etna. Mount Etna consists of two edifices: an ancient shield volcano at its base, and the younger Mongibello stratovolcano, which was built on top of the shield.

The basaltic shield volcano eruptions began about , years ago, while the stratovolcano began forming about 35, years ago from more trachytic lavas. The volcano's slopes currently host several large calderas which formed when the roofs of magma chambers collapsed inward, including the east-facing, horseshoe-shaped Valle de Bove. Etna's current activity consists of continuous summit degassing, explosive Strombolian eruptions, and frequent basaltic lava flows.

Ash clouds from the explosive eruptions are especially hazardous to aircraft, since ash that is pulled into a jet engine can melt, coat moving parts with a layer of glass, and cause the engine to shut down. These dangerous ash clouds are often visible from space. Etna has also produced pyroclastic flows, ashfalls , and mudflows, but the lava flows are the most immediately hazardous type of activity, especially to the city of Catania.

The lava flows themselves usually do not move fast enough to threaten humans, but they can cover large areas and destroy crops and buildings. In the event of a large flank fissure eruption, evacuating the inhabitants of towns and cities near the volcano would be a huge challenge. Mount Etna ash plume: An oblique photograph of Mount Etna looking to the southeast taken by astronauts onboard the International Space Station on October 30, The dark plume rising from the top of the volcano is an ash cloud.

The broad white cloud streaming from areas of lower elevation is smoke produced by forest fires ignited as a hot lava flow moved through a pine forest. The ash and smoke caused air traffic to be diverted and forced the closing of roads, schools and businesses. Larger Image. This photo is looking to the southeast with the Mediterranean Sea in the background and was taken by astronauts onboard the International Space Station on October 30, A large ash emission rose from the crater on 27 September and drifted S.

On 18 September guides observed intensified explosive activity at VOR characterized by the ejection of scoria and ash from several vents to heights of tens of meters. A lava flow from the cone had descended the W flank of the cone to its base, and then flowed several hundred meters S and branched into the Bocca Nuova Crater. Similar activity was observed on 19 September, though by 22 September the lava flows were cooling and Strombolian activity from VOR vents had become less frequent.

Continuous Strombolian activity recorded between on 9 September and on 10 September produced diffuse ash emissions which quickly dissipated. The most intense part of the eruptive period occurred during Incandescence from the activity had significantly subsided by on 10 September, coincident with the ejection of lava fragments outside of the crater. Dilute ash puffs were continuously observed at dawn the next day. Strombolian activity ceased around and then resumed around Weather conditions hindered observations at times on 11 September but clear observations after allowed for the confirmation of continuing explosive activity at varying intensity at NEC.

Ash emission from Voragine Crater began during the morning of 12 September and gradually increased in frequency. Activity further intensified at as Strombolian activity commenced and tephra ejected out of the crater was deposited at the base of Bocca Nuova Crater. Antonio, Pedara, and neighboring areas. Webcam and field observations on 13 September confirmed continuing activity at NEC and Voragine craters.

Diffuse ash plumes rose from NEC and dispersed near the summit area. Strombolian activity at Voragine Crater ejected coarse tephra as high as 20 m above the crater rim and produced diffuse ash emissions. Impact craters from the ejected tephra were distributed mostly in the W part of the area between Bocca Nuova and Voragine craters down to 3, m elevation.

Activity continued on 14 September. During an overflight on 15 September observers noted that a scoria cone had formed in Voragine Crater, and diffuse ash emissions continued to rise from NEC. INGV reported that the mean amplitude of volcanic tremor at Etna had been increasing. Notably, the increase since mid-August had reached significant values by 6 September and were comparable to those values recorded just before the December eruption, and higher than those observed before the eruptive episodes during May-July Inclement weather prevented visual observations of the summit craters, though mountain guides reported characteristic sounds of Strombolian activity at the Bocca Nuova crater on 6 September.

A sudden increase in volcanic tremor amplitude was recorded at on 9 September, and by Strombolian activity at Northeast Crater NEC was visible. At volcanic tremor amplitude again increased, with signals localized beneath NEC. Diffuse ash plumes rose from the crater and dissipated near the summit. At on 27 July the seismic network detected a sudden increase in tremor amplitude, and at a new fissure opened on the S flank of NSEC. Explosive activity at the crater intensified at and a dense, ash-rich plume rose to 4.

A thin layer of ash was deposited in Giarre, Riposto and Torre Archirafi. Lava emerged from the S part of the new fissure and traveled SW and S; by the longest part of the flow had reached 2, m elevation and by it had reached 2, m elevation. Beginning at a sequence of particularly strong explosions generated ash plumes that rose as high as 7.

Explosive activity decreased around on 28 July, and lava effused from the vent at a lower rate. Explosive and effusive activity at NSEC ceased that evening. Strombolian activity at NSEC increased during the morning of 18 July with explosions occurring at a rate of one every minutes. In the following hours the rate of explosions increased, and by the evening Strombolian activity was almost continuous.

The activity continued to intensify until when a sharp decrease occurred. Explosive activity decreased and had ceased by noon. A sudden increase in explosive activity was recorded that afternoon and by the evening three vents within NSEC were producing Strombolian activity and sporadic ash emissions.

Ashfall was reported in areas on the S flank. Explosive activity at NSEC again declined in the late evening. NEC produced abundant ash emissions until the morning of 20 July. Just before on 20 July a new phase of explosive activity began at NSEC and lava effusion at the new vent on the NE flank increased. Later that morning explosive activity completely ceased; by evening the lava flow was only weakly fed. The lava flow from the fissure was active only near the vent on 5 June and by the next day had ceased and began cooling.

The report noted that the NE edge of the NSEC cone had dropped several meters, likely in conjunction with a period of ash emissions on 30 May. In addition, a hot zone high on the SE flank of the cone that was established prior to the recent eruption was extensively covered with colored fumarolic deposits by 6 June. The fissure produced Strombolian explosions and a lava flow that advanced towards the W wall of the Valle del Bove; by it had reached 2, m elevation near Monte Simone.

The flow was 2 km in length. Two fissures opened a few hours later at the SE base of NSEC at an elevation of about 3, m, each producing lava flows that converged and traveled along the W wall of the Valle del Bove towards Serra Giannicola Grande, partially covering the lava flows. The flow reached 2, m elevation by The fissure activity was accompanied by ash emissions which were intense starting at but then decreased and almost stopped late in the evening.

The lava flow reached the bottom of the valley in the early hours of 31 May and had a length of about 3 km. INGV volcanologists confirmed that lava continued to effuse from both fissures during a visual inspection in the morning of 1 June and that vigorous spatter was occurring at a fissure on the SE base of NSEC.

By the lava flow from the N base was no longer being fed and was cooling. During a visual inspection of the eruption site on 2 June volcanologists confirmed explosive activity at a fissure segment at 2, m and continuing lava effusion.

The lava traveled along the W wall of the Valle del Bove, overlapping flows from previous days. An ash plume rose from Bocca Nuova Crater on 23 May. Several Strombolian explosions at NSEC ejected incandescent pyroclastic material a few dozen meters above the crater rim during May. A new vent on the inner wall of Voragine Crater was noted on 30 April. Strombolian activity from the BN-1 crater deep within the Bocca Nuova Crater was visible on 28 April and continued through 5 May; field inspections on 30 April revealed that two vents in BN-1 were active and producing explosions at a rate of one every seconds.

Bombs and lapilli were ejected above the crater rim but deposits remained mostly within the confines of the crater or near the rim. On 2 May, beginning at , discontinuous explosions at the E vent produced emissions of fine tephra that rose as high as 1 km above the crater rim and quickly dissipated.

During May the frequency of explosions increased for brief periods in conjunction with a slight increases in volcanic tremor amplitude. During each night webcams recorded pulsating flashes from the E vent in New Southeast Crater NSEC which became more intense towards the end of the week. A minor ash emission from Bocca Nuova Crater was visible at on 8 April.

After the event seismicity gradually decreased. The last significant event was a ML 4. Preliminary assessments of some of the ash deposits showed they contained no juvenile material. During February ash emissions of variable intensity rose from NEC and were notable on 14 and 18 February.

Volcanic tremor amplitude did not significantly vary compared to the previous week, having average values overall. The Catania Airport announced the partial closure of airspace and flight delays during February due to ash emissions. From the beginning of the afternoon on 6 February discrete ash emissions rose from NEC. The ash emissions were continuous from about on 7 February to on 8 February, producing relatively diffuse ash plumes that drifted S and then SE.

A diffuse ash plume drifted SW on 9 February. In addition, lava effusion became continuous with small overlapping flows traveling about m down the E flank of the cone. Incandescent blocks generated by the lava flows rolled to the base of the cone, and occasional small collapses produced minor ash plumes.

Strombolian explosions at NSEC were interspersed with long pauses from a few minutes to a few hours. The explosions sometimes produced ash emissions that quickly dispersed; ashfall was deposited around the crater and in the Valle del Bove. Spattering from the southernmost vent was also visible, as well as gas emissions. Gas emissions at Voragine Crater from a vent on the E rim of the crater were less intense compared to previous months.

NEC activity was characterized by Strombolian explosions sometimes accompanied by minor ash emissions. Spattering from the southernmost vent was also visible. Gas emissions increased at Voragine Crater from a vent that formed on 7 August on the E rim of the crater, and the crater continued to gradually widen and deepen.

NEC activity was characterized by gas emissions and explosive activity of variable frequency and intensity. Strombolian activity at the N vent in Bocca Nuova BN-1 ejected incandescent material almost as high as the W crater rim. No eruptive activity was observed at BN-2, though it produced explosions deep in the crater.

A new high-temperature vent producing gas emissions was noted on 1 October in the same place a fumarole had been observed the previous week. Ash emissions from NSEC were sometimes accompanied by ejected incandescent material.

Gas emissions increased at Voragine Crater from a vent that formed on 7 August on the E rim of the crater. NEC produced frequent brown-gray ash emissions, and ejected blocks and bombs, from a vent located in the W part of the crater floor.

A few Strombolian explosions at NSEC were recorded on 5 September; an explosion at generated an ash plume that produced local ashfall around the vent and in the Valle del Bove, and quickly dispersed.

A similar but less intense event occurred earlier that day, at Similar Strombolian events continued during September, at intervals of a few hours. Strombolian activity at the N vent BN-1 in Bocca Nuova occurred at minute intervals, ejecting incandescent material that fell within the crater confines. Gas emissions were sometimes punctuated with ash emissions. Intense degassing was characteristic of the second vent BN Strombolian activity occurred at NEC, and a few times explosions were accompanied by ash emissions.

INGV reported that during August activity at Etna was characterized by gas emissions at the summit craters, Strombolian activity, and ash emissions. Beginning at on 23 August Strombolian activity from the cone in the saddle between the Southeast Crater SEC and NSEC cone complex rapidly intensified; explosions ejected tephra m above the vent rim. Just after lava overflowed the vent in the saddle cone and flowed N; Strombolian activity at that vent continued through the night and then stopped no later than on 24 August.

At Strombolian activity from a vent on the S flank of NSEC produced a small lava flow that traveled a few dozen meters. During August the activity at the saddle cone gradually decreased, and ash emissions were weak and occasional. INGV reported that during August activity at Etna was similar to the previous week, characterized by gas emissions at the summit craters, Strombolian activity, and ash emissions. Strombolian explosions continued from vents in Bocca Nuova, and were particularly visible at night.

Based on two field inspections and webcam data, INGV reported that during 30 July-5 August activity at Etna was characterized by gas emissions at the summit craters and Strombolian activity. Three vents at the bottom of the Bocca Nuova crater were active, with gas emissions rising from two vents and sporadic Strombolian activity occurring at a third.

Three vents were also active at the bottom of Northeast Crater NEC ; one produced ash emissions, one steam emissions, and Strombolian explosions at the third ejected incandescent material as high as the crater rim. The activity began at on 1 August with a brownish-gray ash emission that rose several hundred meters above the summit.

The event was followed by more ash emissions and then Strombolian activity in the evening. The activity was mostly confined to the craters, with material falling back into the craters, though occasionally incandescent lava was ejected about m above the crater rim.

The activity sometimes generated ash emissions that dissipated near the summit. Visibility of the fairly continuous, low-energy, Strombolian activity deep within the Northeast Crater NEC and Bocca Nuova was sometimes hindered by gas emissions. Ejected incandescent material fell back into the crater.

Strong and prolonged roars up to several tens of seconds from NEC were sometimes accompanied by gray-brown and reddish ash emissions.

INGV reported that activity at Etna during January was relatively unchanged compared to the previous weeks and was mainly characterized by variable-intensity gas emissions from the summit craters.

On 22 January ash fell in areas on the S flank and also in Catania, though the crater which produced the ash emission was unknown due to poor visibility. Around Strombolian activity ejected material from the vent and the lava flow headed towards the Valle del Bove. Ash emissions were visible at Strombolian activity began to diminish around and eventually ceased. The lava flows advanced until around ; phreato-magmatic explosions occurred in areas where the NE flow interacted with snow. In the evening of 13 April short-lived explosive activity occurred at a vent at the S flank of the SEC cone at about 3, m elevation.

That vent and another at 3, m elevation produced lava flows for a few hours. Lava had traveled down into the Valle del Bove from the W rim; by the afternoon of 18 March almost continuous collapses of parts of the lava flow produced several avalanches of incandescent material which reached the base of the wall.

Explosive activity had greatly declined earlier that morning. The collapsing stopped by early the next evening, 19 March, and the lava reached the base of the valley. That lava flow stopped advancing on 20 March though a few lava flows closer to the vent remained active the next few days. On 21 March a new lava flow expanded SSW, but then stopped in the last days of March at an elevation of 2, m.

A few more lava flows had followed a similar path in early April and then also stopped at the same elevation. Strong glow form the pit crater was observed at night. Activity rapidly intensified at , and by near-constant Strombolian explosions were generating ash plumes.

The lava flow reached the base of the cone and traveled S. By late afternoon the lava was advancing on top of lava flows from the previous eruption. The intensity of the Strombolian activity reached a peak around , and by the evening both the eruptive activity and seismicity gradually diminished.

Just before midnight a new lava flow began to effuse from a vent on the S flank of the cone. On 16 March at a phreato-magmatic explosion occurred at the front of a lava flow where it contacted an area covered with snow. A news article noted that about 10 people were injured during the event. Lava overflowed the vent, quickly traveled down the S flank, and then slowed after reaching the gently sloping terrain.

During February frequent Strombolian explosions ejected incandescent lava fragments up to m above the vent. The lava flow slowly advanced on top of the snow, and by 1 March was about 1. By the late evening, activity declined, and the volcanic tremor amplitude rapidly diminished. Ash plumes drifted E and caused ashfall in Zafferana and Linguaglossa. INGV reported that on the morning of 15 December minor emissions of brownish ash rose from the vent in the saddle between the newer cone and the old cone of Etna's Southeast Crater SEC.

That evening some of the emissions were more energetic, ejecting incandescent material out of the crater which landed on the steep S flank of the SEC cone. Analysis of samples of the ejected rock revealed no new material, only older material from the conduit walls. During the following five weeks weak ash emissions from the vent were observed, without being accompanied by incandescence.

During the early morning of 20 January the saddle vent was again active, with small black ash puffs and thermal anomalies identified by the surveillance camera. People on the SEC observed ejected incandescent material along with ash and blocks. Cloudy weather prevented visual observations for a few days; the evening of 23 January was cloud free and mild Strombolian activity was observed, accompanied by frequent emissions of small, black ash puffs. The activity gradually intensified through the night, with some explosions launching incandescent material as far as the base of the SEC cone.

The frequency of explosions and ash emissions increased on 24 January but then slightly decreased the next morning. On 10 October INGV reported that during the past few weeks high-temperature degassing had continued from a vent that had opened on 7 August in the E portion of Etna's Voragine crater.

In addition minor and infrequent ash emissions from old pulverized rock rose from a vent located on the upper E flank of the New Southeast Crater cone.

In the early afternoon of 10 October an explosion occurred at the Bocca Nuova crater, in an area between the crater and the nearby Voragine crater. The explosion was recorded at , and produced a distinct thermal anomaly and an ash puff that rose a few hundred meters.

During the next few hours similar seismic events were detected although weather cloud cover prevented visual observations. The emissions continued periodically until early August.

Pulsating glow from mild, intra-crater explosions in the Voragine VOR crater was recorded during August. At night the activity intensified with explosions occurring at two or three vents, contemporaneous with renewed inflation of the summit area. Just after volcanic tremor amplitude rapidly increased and the Strombolian explosions turned into pulsating jets of lava, launching incandescent bombs 1 km S; an ash plume drifted SSE.

Observers noted that a fracture had formed on the SE flank of the central cone. In addition, an effusive vent in the saddle between the cone and the old cone of the Southeast Crater produced a small lava flow that traveled towards the Valle del Leone. Activity decreased around and was over at about On 22 May a vent on the upper E flank of New Southeast Crater cone produced a series of ash emissions which rose several hundred meters above the summit and dispersed.

Some of the emissions had a thermal signature, indicating the presence of hot material. That evening Strombolian activity resumed at NEC; the rate and intensity of the activity fluctuated through the night. The strongest explosions ejected incandescent bombs up to a few hundred meters above the crater rim and onto the flanks. On 23 May sporadic ash emissions continued from the vent on the upper E flank of the New Southeast Crater cone.

Incandescent bombs were ejected above the crater rim and tephra was deposited on the flanks. During the morning of 18 May this activity was accompanied by ash emissions that drifted E and rapidly dispersed. Just after on 18 May cameras recorded the onset of activity at Voragine VOR crater, which within a few minutes evolved into a pulsating lava fountain.

At the same time Strombolian activity at NEC diminished and dark ash emissions formed briefly. Ash plumes from VOR rose as high as 3. During the afternoon lava overflowed from the W rim of the Voragine-Bocca Nuova depression, and traveled W within the summit area. The second lava flow remained active until the early morning hours of 19 May. Later that morning, the volcanic tremor amplitude sharply increased, and contemporaneously loud and virtually continuous bangs were heard in populated areas to the E and S of the volcano.

A dense eruption plume drifted E at an altitude slightly higher than 1 km above the summit of Etna. Ash and lapilli fell onto the E flank of the volcano, near an area affected by the tephra fall on the previous day. A few hours later images revealed a new lava flow from VOR traveling W. Eruptive activity continued at least through , though the volcanic tremor amplitude had diminished.

At on 23 February an explosion at Northeast Crater NEC ejected incandescent tephra several tens of meters above the crater rim, and produced a dark ash plume that drifted NE.

A camera recorded lightning flashes in the plume. Weak ash emission rose from the crater during the rest of the morning. During December Strombolian activity was detected at NEC, with a few ejected incandescence bombs falling onto the outer flank and abundant ash emissions. Activity gradually diminished over a few days. The emissions ceased in the afternoon; very minor and sporadic explosions continued from the same vent during the following days.

Seismicity had significantly decreased. INGV reported that after a progressive intensification of activity during the evening of 2 December, an eruption at Etna's Voragine Crater peaked between and on 3 December. During the peak period sustained lava fountains rose over 1 km above the crater with some jets of hot material rising 3 km high.

Activity had almost ceased by dawn. This event was among the largest in the last 20 years, similar to large events occurring at the same crater on 22 July and 4 September At about on 4 December renewed activity at Voragine Crater was characterized by tall lava fountains and an ash plume that rose km high.

The ash plume had a mushrooming top and produced deposits of coarse-grained pyroclastic material on the upper SW flank above 2 km elevation.

Ashfall was reported in Giarre-Zafferana Etnea on the E flank. The activity was accompanied by frequent ash emissions from a new pit crater that had recently opened on the upper E flank of the New Southeast Crater NSEC cone.

Two more events occurred at Voragine Crater during December, between and on 4 December and and on 5 December, again producing tall lava fountains and many-kilometer-high ash plumes. During the evening of 5 December activity at Voragine Crater progressively diminished.

Between and on 6 December surveillance cameras recorded the onset of vigorous Strombolian activity from the vent on the E flank of the NSEC cone. Repeated collapses of both old and new material from the cone's flank generated hot avalanches that traveled a few hundred meters E towards the Valle del Bove. Ongoing effusive activity through the day produced two lava flows; one advanced NE for less than 1 km and the other advanced E.

Strombolian activity continued through the evening. During the early morning hours of 8 December Strombolian activity progressively diminished and then ended. Later that afternoon weak Strombolian activity and ash emission were observed at the Northeast Crater. At on 13 May a series of small collapses accompanied the opening of three vents, along a fracture oriented E-W, below the E rim of NSEC, one of which effused a small lava flow.

At a fracture at the vent propagated m from the rim down the cone within 10 minutes. This event was accompanied by collapses, along with reddish ash ejection onto the summit area and the high S flank.

Strombolian activity increased that night and was characterized by almost continuous Strombolian explosions, sometimes accompanied by ash emissions. This activity continued during May. Ash plumes rose a few hundred meters and dispersed with the wind; minor ashfall was reported in areas from the S to the NE. A single lava flow traveled NE towards Mt.

Rittman, and then E towards Mt. Simone where it formed two branches. Activity decreased on 15 May and ceased on 16 May. This activity was preceded by a sudden increase in tremor amplitude and intense degassing during May; visible activity did not accompany the episode, and after a few days tremor returned to normal levels. Resulting ash puffs rose a few hundred meters above the crater and dispersed.

Poor meteorological conditions prevented views of the summit area during the first 36 hours of the eruption. During improved viewing conditions on the evening of 1 February, volcanologists observed Strombolian activity from a single vent in the saddle between the cones of the Southeast Crater SEC. Explosions occurred every few seconds and ejected incandescent bombs m high.

At the same time a vent at the base of the southern SEC cone issued a lava flow that traveled 2 km S, dividing into two branches. At dawn on 2 February the Strombolian activity produced a dense ash cloud that drifted E. At about emissions stopped and volcanic tremor suddenly decreased. The next day occasionally pulsating ash emissions rose from Northeast Crater and drifted SE. Ash emissions continued through 17 January; cloud cover prevented observations of the summit area on 18 January.

INGV reported that at night during January the frequency of Strombolian explosions at Etna's Voragine Crater decreased; however, some of the explosions ejected incandescent pyroclastic material outside of the crater and onto the W and SW flanks.

On 7 January many of the small explosions generated brown ash plumes that rose a few hundred meters above Etna's summit and quickly dissipated. Strombolian activity increased on 8 January, possibly from two vents within the crater. Pyroclastic material continued to be ejected out of the crater. But it turns out there are hundreds of hiking trails all over the volcano. If you have half a day free, a hike is the best way to get up close and personal with the volcano.

But we ascended m and most of it was uphill so it feels like much longer. More on the benefits of using a guide later. We started and finished our trek at Rifugio Citelli , a meeting point and hotel m up the highest point is at 3,m. The whole walk took 4. While walking, most of the path was covered in small black rocks, similar to gravel.

It was more pleasant to walk on than a hard path and the satisfying crunch underfoot became a meditative sound I could focus on when the route got hard. We had two guides, Asia Pioro and Luigi Cutore. My favourite line of the day was from Luigi. Born and raised in Catania, the city at the foot of Etna, he is qualified to comment. He went on to clarify that you can only hike up to altitudes determined by the local authorities. Check these at the time of your trip as they vary depending on recent volcanic activity.