Etna update, 12 April 2013

A new eruptive episode (paroxysm) - the 10th of the year 2013 - occurred during the late forenoon of 12 April 2013 at Etna's New Southeast Crater, with lava fountains and a tall eruption column heavily charged with pyroclastics (ash and scoriaceous lapilli). Lava flows were emitted from the "saddle" area between the two Southeast Crater cone, toward south and then southeast, from the New Southeast Crater itself toward southeast, and from vents on the northeast side of the cone. Eruptive activity started on the afternoon of 8 April with L'attività è iniziata nel pomeriggio del 8 aprile 2013, with explosions that emitted ash; this activity continued until the afternoon of 10 April, and then passed into Strombolian explosions. On 11 April, this activity gradually incrased, and became almost continuous on the evening, with powerful explosions and loud detonations. Read more