Etna update, 18 March 2013

On the evening of 16 March 2013, Etna's New Southeast Crater produced the eigth episode of lava fountaining (paroxysm) within four weeks, characterized like its predecessors by tall lava fountains, emission of lava flows, and the generation of an eruption column that was bent by the wind toward southeast, leading to heavy ash and scoria falls in the areas of Zaffeana Etnea, Santa Venerina, and to the north of Acireale. This episode was preceded by a slow increase in the Strombolian activity that had started on the afternoon of 15 March. Read more