It took advantage of it, as often happens, away from prying eyes, behind the clouds of November storms. Mount Etna, which loves to surprise, started an eruption on the morning of November 10 while the world was enjoying, in the warmth, the first real Sunday of autumn. The news spread first on social media … like a doubt … then on the news, with the certainty of ash fallout on some towns. Finally, the INGV (Volcanologic Institute) press release arrived, clarifying some things. Many others will become clear as soon as they can go up and see.
Volcanic Activity Press Release
The INGV communications office writes: The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Etnean Observatory, reports that ash fallout has been reported on the towns of Milo and Torre Archirafi since 11:45.
At the moment, the view of the volcanic edifice through the network of surveillance cameras is totally blocked due to cloud cover. After reaching the maximum amplitude value, at 11:10 the volcanic tremor began to decrease.
The average locations remain in correspondence with the Bocca Nuova crater at an altitude of about 3000 meters. The infrasonic tremor also reached its maximum at 11:10 and then decreased sharply. The infrasonic events are localized in correspondence with the Bocca Nuova crater.
From 09:40, a cumulative variation of about 30 nanostrains has been recorded at the Monte Ruvolo dilatometer (DRUV). The data from the GNSS network do not show significant variations.
Bocca Nuova or North East?
Given the poor visibility, while waiting for experts to bring visible evidence, hypotheses are unleashed. Given the data that refer to Bocca Nuova, it is possible that the eruption actually occurred from Bocca Nuova: which would mean that the old crater, plugged during the grandiose summer paroxysm of Voragine, would have been “freed” and therefore returned to being a full protagonist.
If the North East were instead the “culprit” of everything, it would be confirmation of the recent trend, which has seen this crater compete with Voragine as the most active. Given the long rest of the South East, these are the two craters that have recently been competing for the attention of volcanologists and tourists. Who will have had a say this time?
Ash fall
The sign that the eruption is still underway, and is significant, comes from the fall of black ash that has covered the south-east side of Etna. Unfortunately, together with the rain, the volcanic sand has caused quite a few inconveniences among the piedmont villages. The most affected area, as often happens, is that of Milo, Santa Venerina and Giarre. Catania airport is on pre-alert and could be closed if the wind changes.
The last eruption started from Voragine
In August, the last eruption started from the Voragine crater. As we wrote about it: during the night between August 3rd and 4th, the increasing volcanic tremor had led to the prediction that the Voragine was preparing the fifth paroxysm of the year. But given the many “false starts” of the previous days, few believed it. The most convinced went up to wait. The others went to sleep as usual… but were awakened at 5 in the morning by roars and a “sinister” noise of rain. It was raining… but lapilli, not water! Almost without warning, the paroxysm started with enormous fountains of lava, creating a pure, absolute spectacle!
The lava fountains of this fifth event reached considerable heights. We are talking about a jet of 1500 or even 2000 meters, above the crater cone. This made them visible from all of eastern Sicily and the very high column of ash that the volcano expelled during the paroxysm was directed towards a good part of eastern Sicily.
Contrary to that spectacle, this time the clouds that have been covering the view for days now have prevented us from admiring the column of ash and the lava fountains. If the tremor will decrease, this eruption will possibly remain so … mysterious and hidden. If on the contrary it is only the beginning of a new phase, we will see more beautiful things in the coming weeks. (PHOTOS ARCH. GRAZIA MUSUMECI)