Etna update, 28 April 2013
The 13th episode of lava fountaining (paroxysm) of this year at Etna's New Southeast Crater took place on the evening of 27 April 2013, one week after the previous episode, and after a "prelude" characterized by Strombolian activity and frequent ash emissions. which had started already on 21 April, just one day after the 20 April paroxysm. After a gradual increase in both the eruptive activity and in the volcanic tremor amplitude, which had started on the evening of 26 April, the paroxysmal phase began shortly after sunset on 27 April, with lava fountains 300-500 m high, emission of lava flows from the southeastern and northeastern flanks of the New Southeast Crater cone and from the "saddle" between the two Southeast Crater cones, forming small lava flows toward south and north. A portion of the eastern flank of the cone collapsed, generating a pyroclastic flow, which advanced about 1 km toward the Valle del Bove. Furthermore, a cloud of gas and pyroclastic material formed, which was blown by the wind to the northeast, resulting in ash and lapilli falls in the area of Linguaglossa, and more distant Taormina and Messina. The paroxysmal phase lasted about 2 hours; lava emission toward southeast continued for many hours and ceased during the forenoon of 28 April.